Free Private Pilot Licence - Aeroplane Written Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Private Pilot Licence - Aeroplane Written Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Two aeroplanes approach head-on with a risk of collision. Under the Canadian Aviation Regulations, what heading change must each pilot-in-command make?

   1. A.Each pilot turns to the right.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Each pilot turns to the left.
   3. C.Each pilot maintains the heading.
   4. D.Each pilot changes altitude.

   Explanation: CAR 602.19(5) states: "Where two aircraft are approaching head-on or approximately so and there is a risk of collision, the pilot-in-command of each aircraft shall alter its heading to the right." Each pilot therefore turns right; turning left, maintaining heading, or changing altitude does not meet this rule.

   Reference: Canadian Aviation Regulations — 602.19(5)

2. 2What is the scale of a Canadian VFR Navigation Chart (VNC)?

   1. A.1:250,000
   2. B.1:500,000Correct answer: B
   3. C.1:1,000,000
   4. D.1:2,000,000

   Explanation: NAV CANADA states under VFR Navigation Chart: "All charts are at a scale of 1:500,000." The other ratios do not express the scale of this chart series.

   Reference: NAV CANADA Visual Flight Rules Publications — VFR Navigation Chart (VNC)

3. 3A Canadian METAR reports a cloud base at 2,000 feet. Which reference is used for that height?

   1. A.Height above the reporting aerodrome's ground level.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Height above mean sea level.
   3. C.Pressure altitude referenced to 29.92 inHg.
   4. D.Height above the highest terrain in the forecast region.

   Explanation: TC AIM states: "Heights in METARs and TAFs are always stated as height above ground level." The source contrasts GFAs and PIREPs, normally reported above sea level; pressure-altitude references are different.

   Reference: Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual, Meteorology — MET 1.2.2

4. 4What causes the wing-tip vortices that produce an aeroplane's lift-generated wake turbulence?

   1. A.Air flows from higher pressure below the wing toward lower pressure above it.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Air flows from lower pressure below the wing toward higher pressure above it.
   3. C.Air moves outward along the upper surface and inward below the wing.
   4. D.Air flows spanwise only on the upper surface, without crossing the wing tip.

   Explanation: TC AIM explains: "The higher air pressure under the wings tries to move to the lower air pressure on top of the wings by flowing towards the wing tips". The flow rolls into vortices; reversing the pressure relationship or omitting the cross-tip flow does not describe this mechanism.

   Reference: Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual, Airmanship — AIR 2.9

5. 5A pilot-in-command becomes aware that another aircraft is in an emergency. What does CAR 602.19 require of that pilot?

   1. A.Give way to the emergency aircraft.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Maintain priority over that aircraft.
   3. C.Give way only if it is on the right.
   4. D.Maintain heading until it passes.

   Explanation: CAR 602.19(1)(b) says: "where the pilot-in-command of an aircraft is aware that another aircraft is in an emergency situation, the pilot-in-command shall give way to that other aircraft." The emergency aircraft must be given way; the rule does not make that duty depend on its position to the right or on a prior claim of priority.

   Reference: Canadian Aviation Regulations — 602.19(1)(b)

6. 6Which time reference does Transport Canada specify for filing a flight plan with air traffic services?

   1. A.Local mean solar time
   2. B.Local standard time
   3. C.Zulu or UTC timeCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Local daylight time

   Explanation: Transport Canada says: "When filing a flight plan, submitting a NOTAM or advising ATS of planned aviation activity, Zulu/UTC shall be used to avoid misfiling and activation of a flight plan or NOTAM or negating alerting services for a flight." The listed local time references are not the specified filing reference.

   Reference: Miscommunication errors can be prevented — Flight plans or NOTAMs being filed using incorrect local time rather than Zulu/UTC

7. 7In which atmospheric layer does the vast majority of clouds and weather occur?

   1. A.TroposphereCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Stratosphere
   3. C.Mesosphere
   4. D.Thermosphere

   Explanation: The FAA identifies the troposphere as the first atmospheric layer and states: "The vast majority of weather, clouds, storms, and temperature variances occur within this first layer of the atmosphere." The other choices are higher layers.

   Reference: FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Aviation Weather — The Atmosphere, p. 12-2

8. 8According to TC AIM, which effect can occur even with minor hypoxia?

   1. A.Improved night vision and faster reactions.
   2. B.Impaired night vision and slower reactions.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Improved night vision and slower reactions.
   4. D.Impaired night vision and faster reactions.

   Explanation: TC AIM AIR 3.2.1 states: "Even minor hypoxia impairs night vision and slows reaction time." The other options reverse one or both of these effects.

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

9. 9A pilot must report an aviation occurrence to the Transportation Safety Board, and no special reporting agreement applies. When must the required information available at the time of the occurrence be sent?

   1. A.Within 30 days by ordinary mail.
   2. B.As soon as possible by the quickest available means.Correct answer: B
   3. C.After all remaining details become available.
   4. D.At the end of the operating day.

   Explanation: Section 2(3)(a) requires reporting "as soon as possible and by the quickest means available, all the information required under subsection (2) that is available at the time of the occurrence". Waiting for the remainder, the end of the operating day, or a 30-day mailing period does not satisfy the requirement for the information already available.

   Reference: Transportation Safety Board Regulations — 2(3)(a)

10. 10In aeronautical navigation, which north references define magnetic variation?

    1. A.The angle between true north and magnetic north.Correct answer: A
    2. B.The angle between compass north and magnetic north.
    3. C.The angle between heading and ground track.
    4. D.The angle between true north and compass north.

    Explanation: The FAA study guide states: "Variation is the angle between true north and magnetic north." Compass deviation relates to compass error, while heading and track differences relate to drift.

    Reference: FAA Control Tower Operator Study Guide — Appendix D, Variation, p. D-3