12 exam-style questions · PHAK Ch. 4–5

Aerodynamics Practice Questions
for the Private Pilot Written Test

Q: Which force must be equal to drag for an airplane to maintain constant airspeed in level, unaccelerated flight?

Thrust. In unaccelerated, level flight, thrust must equal drag and lift must equal weight (PHAK Ch.4).

Q: What is the chord line of an airfoil?

A straight line from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The chord line is defined as a straight line connecting the leading edge and trailing edge of an airfoil (PHAK Fig. 5-2).

Q: An aircraft will always stall at:

The same critical angle of attack, no matter the airspeed. An airplane stalls when the critical angle of attack is exceeded, regardless of airspeed, weight, or bank angle (PHAK 5-44). The stall is always determined by this angle, not by a specific airspeed.

Q: Which type of drag increases markedly as airspeed increases?

Parasite drag. Parasite drag (the broad category that includes form, skin-friction, and interference drag) increases rapidly with the square of airspeed, while induced drag decreases as speed increases. (PHAK Ch. 5)

Q: What effect does lowering flaps have on an aircraft's stall speed?

It decreases the stall speed. Lowering flaps increases lift, which reduces the stall speed (PHAK 5-51).

Q: During a power-on stall, compared to a power-off stall, the stall occurs at:

The same critical angle of attack, but lower airspeed and higher pitch attitude. A wing stalls at the same critical angle of attack regardless of power setting. In a power-on stall, the stall occurs at a lower indicated airspeed and higher pitch attitude because thrust supports part of the weight and propwash adds energy over the wing. However, the critical angle of attack remains unchanged. (PHAK Ch. 5)

Q: What is the effect on load factor when a bank angle is increased from 30° to 60° in level flight?

It increases from 1.15G to 2G. When banking from 30° to 60° in level flight, the load factor increases from 1.15G to 2G. This is due to the increased horizontal component of lift required to maintain altitude at steeper bank angles. (PHAK 5-39).

Q: Which factor most directly affects induced drag?

Angle of attack. Induced drag is most directly affected by angle of attack; it increases as angle of attack increases and decreases as airspeed increases (PHAK 5-27).

Q: What happens to maneuvering speed (Va) as aircraft weight decreases?

Va decreases. Va decreases as aircraft weight decreases because less force is needed to reach the critical angle of attack. (PHAK 5-43)

Q: Which aerodynamic principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure?

Bernoulli’s principle. Bernoulli's principle states that as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases. This principle explains how increased airflow velocity over the wing produces lift due to reduced pressure (PHAK 5-21).

Aerodynamics questions on the FAA private pilot knowledge test cover the four forces of flight, angle of attack and stalls, load factor, and aircraft stability. These sample questions mirror the style of the real exam — answer each one, then read the explanation and PHAK reference.

0 of 12 answered

1.Which force must be equal to drag for an airplane to maintain constant airspeed in level, unaccelerated flight?

2.What is the chord line of an airfoil?

3.An aircraft will always stall at:

4.Which type of drag increases markedly as airspeed increases?

5.What effect does lowering flaps have on an aircraft's stall speed?

6.During a power-on stall, compared to a power-off stall, the stall occurs at:

7.What is the effect on load factor when a bank angle is increased from 30° to 60° in level flight?

8.Which factor most directly affects induced drag?

9.What happens to maneuvering speed (Va) as aircraft weight decreases?

10.Which aerodynamic principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure?

11.In the lift equation (Lift = CL x ½ρV² x S), which variable increases most rapidly with airspeed?

12.Which situation is most likely to cause an accelerated stall?

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Aerodynamics Practice Questionsfor the Private Pilot Written Test

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Aerodynamics Practice Questions
for the Private Pilot Written Test