Interrogative Exercises Anticipated During Pilot Examination Flights

Interrogative Exercises Anticipated During Pilot Examination Flights

Preparing for your checkride? Here are some questions and their answers to help you ace the oral exam.

1. Can friends pay for the flight if you're a private pilot and taking them up?

FAR: 61.113

Although your friends can contribute to the flight expenses, you need to pay at least the 'pro rata' share of expenses. So if the flight costs $100 and there are 4 of you, you need to contribute at least $25.

2. You're flying into a Class D airport and the ceilings are dropping fast. The weather is 7SM and 900' ceilings. Can you land as a non-instrument rated private pilot?

FAR 91.155 (c)

Unfortunately, as a non-instrument rated private pilot, you can't operate VFR within the lateral boundaries of controlled airspace designated to the surface when the ceiling is less than 1,000 feet. However, you can pick up a Special VFR clearance and land. Pro tip: Ensure you have at least 1 statute mile visibility and stay clear of clouds.

3. What are the night currency requirements to carry passengers at night?

FAR 61.57 (b)

To carry passengers at night, you need to log at least 3 night takeoffs and landings to a full stop within the preceding 90 days. And, the landings should be between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise.

4. What does '9900' in winds aloft mean?

'9900' means the winds are light and variable.

5. What happens to maneuvering speed (Va) as your plane gets heavier?

As the plane gets heavier, the maneuvering speed (Va) increases. This happens because when the plane is heavier, it needs to fly at a higher Angle of Attack (AOA) to maintain altitude at the same airspeed. As a result, the plane moves closer to the critical AOA, and a full control input would risk stalling the plane before reaching the limit load factor.

6. When do you need to use position lights (nav lights)?

FAR 91.209 (a) (1)

You need to use position lights from sunset to sunrise.

7. When do you need to complete your next flight review after passing the private pilot checkride?

FAR 61.56 (c)

You must complete your next flight review within 24 calendar months of passing your private pilot checkride. In this example, you need to complete the flight review by August 31, 2023.

Now let's get into the nitty-gritty details to help you answer some of these questions even more precisely:

For a non-instrument rated private pilot seeking to obtain a Special VFR (SVFR) clearance to land at a Class D airport with decreasing ceilings, these requirements apply:- Eligibility: Special VFR clearance is available in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and E surface areas)- Visibility Minimums: The weather conditions must provide at least 1 statute mile (SM) visibility- Cloud Clearance: The aircraft must remain clear of clouds- Pilot Certification: The pilot must be a certificated pilot (not a student pilot)- Control Tower Clearance: The Special VFR clearance must be obtained directly from the control tower- Daytime Only for Non-IFR Pilots: Special VFR clearance is not available for night operations for non-instrument rated pilots; only daytime SVFR clearance is possible- Decreasing Ceilings: If the ceilings decrease below minimums, Special VFR clearance will not be granted

Enjoy your flight and ace your checkride!

1. If you're flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), as an non-instrument rated private pilot, you are allowed to share flight expenses with your passengers, but you must contribute at least the 'pro rata' share as per FAR 61.113.
2. In case of a Class D airport with rapidly dropping ceilings below 1,000 feet, as a non-instrument rated private pilot, you cannot operate VFR within controlled airspace. However, you can request for a Special VFR clearance, ensuring visibility of at least 1 statute mile and staying clear of clouds, in accordance with FAR 91.155 (c).
3. To carry passengers at night, a private pilot needing to meet night currency requirements should log at least 3 night takeoffs and landings to a full stop within the preceding 90 days, as per FAR 61.57 (b).
4. '9900' in winds aloft indicates the winds are light and variable.
5. As the aircraft becomes heavier, the maneuvering speed (Va) increases due to the plane needing to fly at a higher Angle of Attack (AOA) to maintain altitude at the same airspeed, putting it closer to the critical AOA, which could potentially lead to a stall.
6. Position lights (nav lights) must be used from sunset to sunrise, as specified by FAR 91.209 (a) (1).
7. After passing the private pilot checkride, the next flight review must be completed within 24 calendar months, according to FAR 61.56 (c).
8. To obtain a Special VFR (SVFR) clearance in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and E surface areas), the weather conditions must provide at least 1 statute mile (SM) visibility, the aircraft must stay clear of clouds, the pilot must be a certificated pilot, and the clearance must be obtained directly from the control tower.
9. Special VFR clearance is not available for night operations for non-instrument rated pilots; they can only obtain daytime SVFR clearance.
10. If the ceilings decrease below the minimums, Special VFR clearance will not be granted. Aim for safe flying, and remember to uphold aviation industry regulations, finance, and transportation standards.

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