Regulations Practice Questions
for the Private Pilot Written Test
Regulation questions come straight from 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91: pilot currency, medical duration, required documents, right-of-way rules, and airworthiness. These sample questions hit the regs every private pilot applicant is expected to know cold.
1.Which document is NOT required to be physically on board for a domestic flight?
Show Answer
C. Radio station license
The ARROW documents are Airworthiness certificate, Registration certificate, Radio station license, Operating limitations, and Weight & balance. The FCC radio station license is required only for international operations — not for domestic flights. (14 CFR §91.203 covers the airworthiness and registration certificates; §91.9 covers the operating limitations and weight & balance.)
2.You plan a daytime VFR flight in a single-engine airplane. Which instrument is NOT required under 14 CFR §91.205 (ATOMATOFLAMES)?
Show Answer
C. Turn coordinator is not required for day VFR flights.
A turn coordinator is not required for day VFR flight under 14 CFR §91.205 (ATOMATOFLAMES). The airspeed indicator, oil temperature gauge (air-cooled engine), and altimeter are all required. (A manifold pressure gauge is required only for an aircraft with a constant-speed propeller / altitude engine.)
3.When is a flight plan required for VFR flight?
Show Answer
D. Not required, but recommended for safety
VFR flight plans are not required by regulation, but they are recommended for search and rescue purposes. Filing a VFR flight plan helps authorities locate you in case of an emergency. Reference: 14 CFR §91.153.
4.Under which circumstances is a pilot required to notify the NTSB immediately after an incident?
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B. Any in-flight fire
Immediate notification to the NTSB is required for any in-flight fire, as specified in NTSB 830.5. Other incidents, such as landing gear collapse, minor damage, or a flat tire, do not necessarily require immediate notification.
5.Which of the following is NOT considered preventive maintenance under 14 CFR §43 Appendix A?
Show Answer
C. Repairing a propeller
Repairing a propeller is not considered preventive maintenance under 14 CFR §43 Appendix A, while the other tasks are specifically listed as examples of preventive maintenance.
6.You are planning a VFR cross-country flight during the day. What is the minimum fuel required?
Show Answer
B. Enough fuel for 30 minutes beyond your first landing
For day VFR flights, 14 CFR §91.151 requires enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing plus 30 minutes at normal cruise speed. For night VFR, the requirement is 45 minutes beyond the first point of intended landing.
7.When must a pilot use supplemental oxygen?
Show Answer
B. Above 12,500 feet MSL for over 30 minutes
According to 14 CFR §91.211, crew must use supplemental oxygen above 12,500 feet MSL if they remain there for more than 30 minutes. Above 14,000 feet MSL, crew must use oxygen at all times, and above 15,000 feet MSL, passengers must be provided with oxygen.
8.Which scenario requires an Airworthiness Directive (AD) to be complied with before further flight?
Show Answer
C. Emergency ADs require compliance before flight
Emergency Airworthiness Directives (ADs) must be complied with before further flight, as specified in 14 CFR §39.3. Other ADs may have different compliance timeframes, but only emergency ADs require immediate action prior to flight.
9.Which of the following actions may a private pilot take regarding preventive maintenance?
Show Answer
A. Perform preventive maintenance and approve the aircraft for return to service
Private pilots may perform preventive maintenance and approve the aircraft for return to service on aircraft they own or operate, as specified in 14 CFR §43.7.
10.A recreational pilot may NOT act as PIC of an aircraft:
Show Answer
A. That is certificated for more than four occupants
Under 14 CFR §61.101(c), a recreational pilot may not act as PIC of an aircraft certificated for more than four occupants. Fixed landing gear, a single engine, and a 160-horsepower engine are all permitted for recreational pilots.
11.Under 14 CFR §91.215, when must an aircraft have an operating Mode C transponder?
Show Answer
C. When within 30 NM of a Class B airport
Under 14 CFR §91.215, an aircraft must have an operating Mode C transponder when within 30 NM of a Class B airport (the Mode C veil) and when flying above 10,000 feet MSL, except in certain cases such as below 2,500 feet AGL. The regulation outlines additional requirements and exceptions.
12.If a pilot receives an ATC clearance that they do not understand or believe to be unsafe, what should they do?
Show Answer
B. Request clarification from ATC
Pilots must request clarification from ATC if a clearance is not understood or is believed to be unsafe. This is required by 14 CFR §91.123.
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