FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL): Human Factors Questions

156 exam-style Human Factors 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

    Which of the following meals should a pilot avoid eating shortly before a flight because it tends to produce intestinal gas that expands at altitude and contains alcohol?

    • AMeat dishes with spices
    • BLegumes and a glass of wine
    • CA salad with chicken and a glass of water
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Legumes and a glass of wine

  2. Q2

    Hypertension is what condition?

    • AEar pain due to air pressure
    • BLong-sightedness
    • CHigh blood pressure
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. High blood pressure

  3. Q3

    The most effective method of scanning for other aircraft for collision avoidance during nighttime hours is to use:

    • ARegularly spaced concentration on the 3-, 9-, and 12-o'clock positions.
    • BPeripheral vision by scanning small sectors and utilizing offcenter viewing.
    • CA series of short, regularly spaced eye movements to search each 30-degree sector.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Peripheral vision by scanning small sectors and utilizing offcenter viewing.

  4. Q4

    Which gas law states that the total pressure of a mixture of gases equals the sum of the partial pressures of its individual components, explaining the reduced partial pressure of oxygen at altitude?

    • ABoyle's law
    • BHenry's law
    • CDalton's law
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Dalton's law

  5. Q5

    What is rods responsible for in your vision?

    • AClear vision
    • BSeeing things far away
    • CSeeing in low light condition
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Seeing in low light condition

  6. Q6

    What is the definition of Time of useful consciousness?

    • AThe time where an individual can function properly, after being exposed to too much carbon monoxide.
    • BThe time where an individual can function properly, after being exposed to an inadequate supply of oxygen.
    • CThe time where an individual can remain conscious, after being exposed to an inadequate supply of oxygen.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. The time where an individual can function properly, after being exposed to an inadequate supply of oxygen.

  7. Q7

    You are landing on a downsloping runway. What should you be aware of?

    • AYou may end up making a lower approach, as you get the feeling that the aircraft is higher than it actually is.
    • BYou may end up making a lower approach, as you get the feeling that the aircraft is lower than it actually is.
    • CYou may end up making a higher approach, as you get the feeling that the aircraft is lower than it actually is.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. You may end up making a higher approach, as you get the feeling that the aircraft is lower than it actually is.

  8. Q8

    Which color of cockpit lighting is traditionally used at night to help preserve the pilot's dark adaptation and night vision?

    • ABlack
    • BGray
    • CRed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Red

  9. Q9

    Which visual illusion is described as perceiving a single stationary point of light against a dark background as if it were moving?

    • AFeeling that we are flying too low when exposed to too much light
    • BThe sensation of vertigo that we experience when flying inside a cloud
    • CIdentifying a light source on a dark background as moving despite being stationary
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Identifying a light source on a dark background as moving despite being stationary

  10. Q10

    What is the medical term for the gradual, age-related loss of hearing?

    • AMyopia
    • BPresbicia
    • CPresbycusis
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Presbycusis

  11. Q11

    When flying solely by reference to instruments, how should the pilot treat the balance sensations coming from the vestibular system?

    • AWe ignore the vestibular system
    • BThe pilot continuously checks the instruments to avoid possible illusions while flying IFR
    • CWe have contradictory information between what our instruments tell us and what our senses tell us
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. We ignore the vestibular system

  12. Q12

    To provide the body with a rapidly available source of energy for a flight, the carbohydrates that are ingested should have which characteristic?

    • AThey improve the digestive process
    • BMust be primarily short-chain sugars
    • CThey should be avoided before flying as they hinder the digestive process
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Must be primarily short-chain sugars

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