FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL): Principles of Flight Questions
239 exam-style Principles of Flight 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.
- Q1
Which two types of drag act on an aircraft independently of the production of lift?
- AParasite and induced drag
- BParasite and friction drag
- CParasite, friction, and form drag
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Correct answer: B. Parasite and friction drag
- Q2
The fixed angle between the wing chord line and the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, set by the designer, is called which of the following?
- AThe incidence angle
- BThe angle of attack
- CThe flightpath climb angle
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Correct answer: A. The incidence angle
- Q3
What effect does decreasing the aspect ratio have on an aircraft’s aerodynamics?
- ADecreases parasite drag
- BDecreases maneuverability
- CIncrease induced drag
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Correct answer: C. Increase induced drag
- Q4
What is the secondary effect of the aileron?
- ASpeed
- BYaw
- CRoll
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Correct answer: B. Yaw
- Q5
The ailerons, elevator, and rudder are classified as which type of flight control?
- ASecondary
- BPrimary
- CTertiary
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Correct answer: B. Primary
- Q6
Which two aerodynamic characteristics are most desirable in the design of a wing airfoil?
- AThe minimum value of aerodynamic drag and the maximum value of lift
- BThe maximum CL/CD relation and the maximum value of lift coefficient
- CThe maximum CL/CD relation and the minimum value of aerodynamic drag
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Correct answer: B. The maximum CL/CD relation and the maximum value of lift coefficient
- Q7
You are flying at night, on your right side you see an aircraft on the opposite parallel track. What is the first thing you will see?
- AA red light
- BA green light
- CA white light
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Correct answer: B. A green light
- Q8
Why is the blade of a propeller twisted?
- ATo maintain a constant angle of incidence along the whole blade
- BTo maintain a constant relative airflow along the whole blade
- CTo maintain a constant angle of attack along the whole blade
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Correct answer: C. To maintain a constant angle of attack along the whole blade
- Q9
What is the effect of setting flaps on stall speed?
- AThe stall speed increases
- BThe stall speed remains the same
- CThe stall speed decreases
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Correct answer: C. The stall speed decreases
- Q10
Compared with straight-and-level flight, the indicated stall speed of an airplane in a level, banked turn is which of the following?
- AHigher
- BThe same
- CLower
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Correct answer: A. Higher
- Q11
Calculate the heading from this information.
- A284°
- B279°
- C271°
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Correct answer: A. 284°
- Q12
Which of the four forces acting on an airplane is produced by the engine and propeller and acts to oppose drag?
- ADrag
- BWeight
- CThrust
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Correct answer: C. Thrust
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