FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL): Flight Instruments Questions

47 exam-style Flight Instruments questions for the FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL) paper (PPL · IR · CPL · ATP). The first 12 are free below with answers and explanations — sign up free to practise all of them with progress tracking.

  1. Q1

    The red line on your airspeed indicator represents what speed?

    • AThe maneuvering speed
    • BThe speed at which flaps should be retracted at latest
    • CThe never exceed speed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. The never exceed speed

  2. Q2

    The pitot system provides impact pressure for the:

    • AVertical-speed indicator
    • BAirspeed indicator
    • CAltimeter
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Airspeed indicator

  3. Q3

    Which V-speed denotes the maximum structural cruising speed, marked by the upper limit of the green arc on the airspeed indicator?

    • AVso
    • BVno
    • CVs
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Vno

  4. Q4

    What does the green arc on the airspeed indicator represent?

    • AExceptional or cautionary operation
    • BProhibited operation
    • CFrequent operation
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Frequent operation

  5. Q5

    What is the operational limitation of an altimeter whose subscale is fixed at the standard pressure setting of 1013 hPa?

    • AUnderreads
    • BYou can only indicate altitude with respect to 1013 on the subscale
    • CIndicates the altitude at which the blockage occurred
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. You can only indicate altitude with respect to 1013 on the subscale

  6. Q6

    The white arc of the airspeed indicator is limited by:

    • AVS - VFE
    • BVNE - VLE
    • CVS0 - VFE
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. VS0 - VFE

  7. Q7

    The airspeed indicator directly displays which of the following speeds?

    • AIndicates IAS
    • BIndicates the temperature-corrected IAS
    • CIndicates GS
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. Indicates IAS

  8. Q8

    How will an airspeed indicator read if the static port is blocked during a descend?

    • AIt will read correct
    • BIt will continue to show the speed it froze at
    • CIt will overread
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. It will overread

  9. Q9

    How does your airspeed indicator measure speed?

    • AThe difference between the total pressure and the static pressure
    • BThe difference between the total pressure and the dynamic pressure
    • CThe difference between the dynamic pressure and the static pressure
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. The difference between the total pressure and the static pressure

  10. Q10

    How is the turn coordinator (or turn-and-slip indicator) gyro typically powered in a light training airplane?

    • APneumatically or mechanically
    • BPneumatically or electrically
    • CElectrically
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Electrically

  11. Q11

    An airplane flying straight ahead in a wings-level sideslip (no change of heading) would show which indication on the turn-and-slip indicator?

    • AThe needle on the left and the ball on the right
    • BThe needle on the right and ball on left
    • CNeedle centered and the ball to the right
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Needle centered and the ball to the right

  12. Q12

    What altitude does an altimeter indicate when a given barometric value is set in its subscale?

    • AIndicates the altitude that is set in the subscale
    • BIndicates the height when the blockage occurred
    • CIndicates zero
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. Indicates the altitude that is set in the subscale

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