How Many Questions Are on the Private Pilot Written Exam?
The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) written exam, also known as the Private Pilot Airmen Knowledge Test or PP-AKT, is a critical step in earning a private pilot certificate. This written exam is the first hurdle in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) private pilot requirements, and it’s often a crucial and challenging part of the entire pilot training experience. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the private pilot written exam and answer the central question: How many questions are on the private pilot written exam?
The Basics of the Private Pilot Written Exam
The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions, which are computer-generated and automatically graded. The exam can be taken at any local FAA-designated testing station or authorized Knowledge Testing centers (KTCS). Exams are usually taken and proctored by independent third-party testers, typically computer-based.
Overview of the Exam Structure and Duration:
- A 3-hour allotted time for the exam session
- 85 computer-generated multiple-choice questions, including scenario-based questions that simulate real-world flying environments
- The exam randomly selects 65 questions covering specific topic areas, outlined below:
- [60-65] questions to pass, depending on whether the question is a must-know (high-priority) or a nice-know (lower-priority item)
- A break-even rule: If fewer than 65 questions on the random sample are multiple-choice, the exam timer is stopped, and scoring continues to completion
Before proceeding to the exam process, here are some noteworthy requirements to ensure a straightforward testing experience:
- Candidate must bring two separate forms of identification, for verification and proof of registration
- Ensure internet connection is stable beforehand to guarantee seamless testing capabilities
Exam Topics Covered in the Private Pilot Written Exam
The current 2019 FAA AC 65-1 Part 1 outlines the broad subject categories for the oral exam (also applicable for the written exam). Be familiar with the following high-level categories and sub-categories, which encompass the essence of your written exam challenge:
- Advisories and Airships: Rules, regulations and general guidelines related to various advisory items
- Weather: Meteorology basics, including forecasting knowledge and hazards
- Communication: Radiophone protocols, transmission, tone signals, and basic comms requirements
- Regulations: Essential laws and guidelines governing day-to-day aviation practices
- Rules for flying airworthiness and aircraft specific issues
- Airport traffic procedures, ground instructions, and flight planning (for departures and entries)
- Aircraft inspections and the 91 requirements for regular inspections
- Flight Planning, Navigation and Performance: Calculators allowed to facilitate calculations needed to make accurate flightplans and assess flight performance!
- Trip planning data requirements for the pilot-to-air traffic control communication dialogue
- Aircraft IFR systems and instrument errors
Remember that additional subject categories and sub-selections can change through new rules and regulations within the ever-evolving skies, keeping your review focused and dynamic and helping maintain an edge-up with evolving rules and technology advancements.
