Aerodynamics Practice Questions
for the Private Pilot Written Test
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.
1.Which force must be equal to drag for an airplane to maintain constant airspeed in level, unaccelerated flight?
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A. Thrust
In unaccelerated, level flight, thrust must equal drag and lift must equal weight (PHAK Ch.4).
2.What is the chord line of an airfoil?
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A. 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). (PHAK Ch.5)
3.An aircraft will always stall at:
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A. 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. (PHAK Ch.5)
4.Which type of drag increases markedly as airspeed increases?
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A. 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) (PHAK Ch.5)
5.What effect does lowering flaps have on an aircraft's stall speed?
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A. It decreases the stall speed
Lowering flaps increases lift, which reduces the stall speed (PHAK 5-51). (PHAK Ch.5)
6.During a power-on stall, compared to a power-off stall, the stall occurs at:
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A. 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) (PHAK Ch.5)
7.What is the effect on load factor when a bank angle is increased from 30° to 60° in level flight?
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A. 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). (PHAK Ch.5)
8.Which factor most directly affects induced drag?
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A. 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). (PHAK Ch.5)
9.What happens to maneuvering speed (Va) as aircraft weight decreases?
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A. Va decreases
Va decreases as aircraft weight decreases because less force is needed to reach the critical angle of attack. (PHAK 5-43) (PHAK Ch.5)
10.Which aerodynamic principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure?
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A. 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). (PHAK Ch.5)
11.In the lift equation (Lift = CL x ½ρV² x S), which variable increases most rapidly with airspeed?
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A. Dynamic pressure (½ρV²)
Lift is proportional to dynamic pressure, which is ½ρV². As airspeed (V) increases, dynamic pressure increases with the square of velocity, making it the variable that increases most rapidly with airspeed. (PHAK 5-23) (PHAK Ch.5)
12.Which situation is most likely to cause an accelerated stall?
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A. Pulling back sharply on the yoke during a steep turn
Abruptly pulling back on the yoke during a steep turn can exceed the critical angle of attack at higher airspeeds, resulting in an accelerated stall (PHAK 5-51). (PHAK Ch.5)
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