Free Instrument rating Aeroplane Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Instrument rating Aeroplane practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Under the Canadian Aviation Regulations, what distinguishes an alternate aerodrome from the intended destination?

   1. A.An aerodrome used to depart after the planned flight is cancelled.
   2. B.An aerodrome used if landing at the intended destination becomes inadvisable.Correct answer: B
   3. C.An aerodrome used only after the pilot declares an in-flight emergency.
   4. D.An aerodrome used to establish the start of the final approach course.

   Explanation: Section 101.01 states "alternate aerodrome means an aerodrome to which a flight may proceed when landing at the intended aerodrome of destination becomes inadvisable;" The alternate is a destination available when landing at the intended aerodrome becomes inadvisable; it is not defined as a departure point, an emergency-only destination, or the start of an approach course.

   Reference: Canadian Aviation Regulations — Section 101.01(1)

2. 2At constant pressure and water-vapour pressure, what does the dewpoint represent?

   1. A.The temperature at which air reaches its freezing point.
   2. B.The temperature to which air must cool for vapour to condense.Correct answer: B
   3. C.The temperature to which air must warm to become saturated.
   4. D.The temperature at which air reaches standard pressure.

   Explanation: FAA Aviation Weather Handbook states "Dewpoint is the temperature an air parcel must be cooled at constant pressure and constant water vapor pressure to allow the water vapor in the parcel to condense into water (dew)." At constant pressure and vapour pressure, dewpoint is the cooling temperature for condensation, not a fixed freezing point, warming temperature or pressure.

   Reference: FAA Aviation Weather Handbook — Chapter 6, section 6.5

3. 3Which pressure expression represents total pressure captured by a pitot tube in flight?

   1. A.Static pressure minus dynamic pressure.
   2. B.Dynamic pressure without static pressure.
   3. C.Static pressure without dynamic pressure.
   4. D.Static pressure plus dynamic pressure.Correct answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook states "The pitot tube captures the dynamic pressure, as well as the static pressure that is always present." The pitot tube captures both dynamic and static pressure; their sum is the total pressure.

   Reference: FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 8 — Chapter 8, Impact Pressure Chamber and Lines

4. 4In aviation physiology, what condition does the term hypoxia describe?

   1. A.Insufficient oxygen for normal body operationCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Excess carbon dioxide in the cabin air
   3. C.A sudden rise in blood oxygen content
   4. D.Inadequate removal of nitrogen from blood

   Explanation: "hypoxia implies a lack of sufficient oxygen for the body to operate normally." The definition is insufficient oxygen; the other descriptions concern different gas imbalances.

   Reference: Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual — AIR — AIR 3.2.1

5. 5When does a missed approach procedure apply according to the Canadian Aviation Regulations?

   1. A.After an instrument approach, when the aircraft is cleared for landing.
   2. B.Before an instrument approach, when a holding clearance is issued.
   3. C.After an instrument approach, when a landing is not effected.Correct answer: C
   4. D.After a visual departure, when the destination is changed.

   Explanation: The regulation defines it as "missed approach procedure means the procedure to be followed if, for any reason after conducting an instrument approach, a landing is not effected;" The defining condition is that landing is not effected after an instrument approach; the other choices describe different phases or changes.

   Reference: Canadian Aviation Regulations — Section 101.01(1)

6. 6If the temperature–dewpoint spread decreases while the water-vapour quantity remains constant, what happens to relative humidity?

   1. A.It decreases as the spread narrows.
   2. B.It remains constant as the spread narrows.
   3. C.It increases as the spread narrows.Correct answer: C
   4. D.It reaches zero as the spread narrows.

   Explanation: FAA Aviation Weather Handbook states "As the spread decreases, relative humidity increases." As the spread decreases, relative humidity increases; it does not fall, remain constant or necessarily reach zero.

   Reference: FAA Aviation Weather Handbook — Chapter 6, section 6.6

7. 7What is the purpose of an alternate static source where one is installed?

   1. A.Provide static pressure when the primary static source is blocked.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Provide static pressure only while the primary source is unblocked.
   3. C.Provide ram pressure when the primary static source is blocked.
   4. D.Provide pitot pressure when the primary pitot source is blocked.

   Explanation: The handbook states "An alternate static source is provided in some aircraft to provide static pressure should the primary static source become blocked." The installed alternate supplies static pressure when the primary static source is blocked; it is not an alternate pitot source.

   Reference: FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 8 — Chapter 8, Static Pressure Chamber and Lines

8. 8How can even minor hypoxia affect a pilot's performance?

   1. A.It improves night vision but slows reactions
   2. B.It impairs night vision and slows reactionsCorrect answer: B
   3. C.It improves night vision and quickens reactions
   4. D.It impairs night vision but quickens reactions

   Explanation: "Even minor hypoxia impairs night vision and slows reaction time." Both effects are adverse; the other options reverse one or both effects.

   Reference: Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual — AIR — AIR 3.2.1

9. 9Under the Canadian Aviation Regulations, which information characterizes a precision approach?

   1. A.Azimuth and groundspeed information.
   2. B.Glide path and wind direction information.
   3. C.Groundspeed and wind direction information.
   4. D.Azimuth and glide path information.Correct answer: D

   Explanation: The definition states "precision approach means an instrument approach by an aircraft using azimuth and glide path information;" Both azimuth and glide path information are specified; groundspeed and wind direction do not replace either component of the definition.

   Reference: Canadian Aviation Regulations — Section 101.01(1)

10. 10In a typical frontal system, what occurs at a cold front?

    1. A.Advancing warm air replaces colder air at the surface.
    2. B.The air-mass boundary remains stationary at the surface.
    3. C.A cold front overtakes a warm front to form an occlusion.
    4. D.Advancing colder, denser air replaces warmer air.Correct answer: D

    Explanation: FAA Aviation Weather Handbook states "A cold front occurs when a mass of cold, dense, and stable air advances and replaces a body of warmer air." Advancing cold air displaces warmer air. The alternatives describe warm-front, stationary-front and occluded-front concepts.

    Reference: FAA Aviation Weather Handbook — Chapter 11, section 11.3.2