Area of Operation I. Preflight Preparation Task A. Pilot Qualifications

What are the three classes of FAA medical certificates?

Answer: First-class (ATP), Second-class (Commercial), Third-class (Private).

2.How long is a first-class medical certificate valid for a pilot under 40?

Answer: 12 months.

3.How long is a first-class medical certificate valid for a pilot over 40?

Answer: 6 months.

4.How long is a second-class medical certificate valid for a pilot under 40?

Answer: 12 months.

5.How long is a second-class medical certificate valid for a pilot over 40?

Answer: 12 months.

6.How long is a third-class medical certificate valid for a pilot under 40?

Answer: 60 months (5 years).

7.How long is a third-class medical certificate valid for a pilot over 40?

Answer: 24 months (2 years).

8.Name at least three temporary disqualifications for medical certificates.

Answer: Illness, injury, medications affecting safe flight, pregnancy, visual impairment, high blood pressure not under control.

9.What are BasicMed requirements for a pilot to act as PIC?

Answer: ≤6 seats, ≤6,000 lbs, ≤18,000 ft, ≤250 KTAS, completion of FAA medical exam checklist, U.S. citizen.

10.Can a pilot with BasicMed carry passengers for hire?

Answer: No, BasicMed does not allow compensation or hire; only personal/private flights.

Scenario-Based / DPE-Style Questions (15)

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11.You hold a third-class medical certificate that expires tomorrow. Can you act as PIC today?

Answer: Yes, it is still valid until expiration.

12.The examiner asks to see your second-class medical certificate but you're flying privately. Is this valid?

Answer: Yes, second-class privileges cover private pilot operations.

13.You developed a mild illness before your flight. Can you legally fly?

Answer: No, temporary medical condition makes you ineligible; safety comes first.

14.Examiner asks: "What is a temporary disqualification?" Give examples.

Answer: Illness, recent surgery, medications that impair flight, vision problems, pregnancy.

15.You hold BasicMed but the aircraft weighs 6,500 lbs. Can you act as PIC?

Answer: No, aircraft exceeds BasicMed limit of 6,000 lbs.

16.Your third-class medical expired last week. Can you fly as PIC?

Answer: No, you must renew medical certificate or use BasicMed if eligible.

17.Examiner asks: "Can you act as PIC in a pressurized aircraft above 18,000 ft using BasicMed?"

Answer: No, BasicMed limits altitude to 18,000 ft.

18.You're 42 years old with a third-class medical issued 20 months ago. Can you carry passengers?

Answer: Yes, third-class valid for 24 months for pilots over 40.

19.You forgot your medical certificate at the airport. Can you fly?

Answer: No, PIC must have physical medical certificate or BasicMed checklist on hand.

20.Examiner asks if you can log a flight as PIC using BasicMed.

Answer: Yes, log PIC time normally; include note if using BasicMed for eligibility.

21.Flight requires oxygen but you hold BasicMed. Is this legal?

Answer: No, BasicMed is limited to ≤18,000 ft without supplemental oxygen.

22.Examiner asks what documents must be on board to prove PIC eligibility.

Answer: Pilot certificate, government photo ID, medical certificate (or BasicMed compliance).

23.You hold a third-class medical but your vision is temporarily impaired. Can you fly?

Answer: No, temporary disqualification applies until vision is restored or corrected.

24.During preflight, you notice your medical certificate is physically damaged and unreadable. Can you proceed?

Answer: No, certificate must be legible; obtain replacement or use valid BasicMed documentation.

25.Examiner asks: "Can a pilot with BasicMed carry passengers in a plane at 200 KTAS and 15,000 ft?"

Answer: Yes, within BasicMed limits (≤250 KTAS, ≤18,000 ft, ≤6 seats, ≤6,000 lbs).

PA.I.A.K1 - Certification Requirements, Recent Flight Experience, Recordkeeping Knowledge Questions (7)

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1.Minimum age for private pilot certificate?

Answer: 17 years old (61.103).

2.Language requirement for private pilot?

Answer: Must read, speak, write, and understand English (61.103).

3.Flight review requirement?

Answer: 1 hour ground + 1 hour flight every 24 months (61.56).

4.Required documents to act as PIC?

Answer: Pilot certificate, government-issued photo ID, medical certificate (or BasicMed checklist) (61.3).

5.Logbook entry requirements for flight time?

Answer: Aircraft type, date, total time, PIC time, endorsements (61.51).

6.Recent flight experience to carry passengers during day?

Answer: 3 takeoffs and landings in preceding 90 days (61.57).

7.Recent flight experience to carry passengers at night?

Answer: 3 takeoffs and landings to full stop 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise within preceding 90 days (61.57).

Scenario / DPE Questions (8)

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8.Examiner asks to see your last flight review endorsement. It's missing date.

Answer: Flight review not valid; must have date, duration, instructor signature (61.56).

9.You haven't flown in 3 months and are asked to carry passengers.

Answer: Ensure recent flight experience met; if not, cannot carry passengers until currency regained.

10.Logbook shows cross-country time but missing total flight hours. Is this valid?

Answer: No, logbook must include total flight time, aircraft type, and PIC notation (61.51).

11.Examiner asks for proof of recent night currency.

Answer: Provide logbook entries with date, aircraft type, and number of landings (61.57).

12.PIC asked to operate an aircraft you've never flown.

Answer: Only after adequate training, POH review, and assessment of proficiency (61.31).

13.DPE asks if you can carry passengers with only partial logbook entries.

Answer: No, must document recent takeoffs/landings to meet currency.

14.You forgot your pilot certificate but have ID and medical.

Answer: Cannot act as PIC; certificate must be on board (61.3).

15.Examiner asks how you track flight review compliance.

Answer: Logbook entry with date, hours, instructor signature; ensure within 24 months (61.56).

PA.I.A.K2 - Privileges and Limitations of a Private Pilot

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Knowledge Questions (6)

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1.Can a private pilot carry passengers for hire?

Answer: No, except for cost-sharing or charitable flights (61.113).

2.Can a private pilot be compensated for flight instruction?

Answer: Yes, if properly certificated and authorized (61.113).

3.Can a private pilot share operating expenses?

Answer: Yes, can share pro-rata with passengers (61.113).

4.Can a private pilot fly internationally?

Answer: Yes, if meeting foreign country requirements and regulations.

5.Can a private pilot act as PIC in an aircraft requiring type rating without training?

Answer: No, must receive training and endorsement (61.31).

6.Can a private pilot perform aerobatics over a congested area?

Answer: No, aerobatic flight prohibited over people, property, or congested areas without waiver (91.303).

Scenario / DPE Questions (6)

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7.Examiner asks: "Can you carry friends on a scenic flight for compensation?"

Answer: No, unless sharing expenses pro-rata; cannot profit.

8.Passenger asks to fly a plane you're PIC in.

Answer: Only under supervision and in safe conditions; PIC remains responsible.

9.Asked to carry passengers in an aircraft requiring type rating you don't have.

Answer: Cannot act as PIC; must obtain endorsement/training.

10.Examiner asks if you can operate aircraft for business travel, reimbursed by employer.

Answer: Only if cost-sharing, not compensation for hire; otherwise requires commercial privileges.

11.Can you conduct banner towing or crop dusting as private pilot?

Answer: No, requires commercial certificate.

12.Asked to perform intentional spins over an airport.

Answer: Only in approved practice areas and not over congested areas; prohibited otherwise.

PA.I.A.K4 - Documents Required to Exercise Private Pilot Privileges

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1.What documents are required on board for legal flight?

Answer: Airworthiness certificate, registration, operating limitations/POH, weight & balance, pilot certificate, medical certificate (or BasicMed checklist) (91.203, 61.3).

2.Are aircraft maintenance logs required on board?

Answer: Not required in flight; must be current and available for inspection on request.

3.Can electronic copies of documents be used?

Answer: Yes, if readable and accessible; FAA recognizes electronic flight bags (91.203).

4.Which certificate must be physically carried to act as PIC?

Answer: Pilot certificate (or temporary certificate issued by FAA) (61.3).

5.Is an ID required during flight?

Answer: Yes, government-issued photo ID required when exercising pilot privileges.

Scenario / DPE Questions (5)

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6.Examiner asks to see all required documents; you have POH but forgot medical.

Answer: Cannot act as PIC; medical (or BasicMed checklist) is required.

7.Aircraft registration is expired. Can you fly?

Answer: No, must be current to operate legally (91.203).

8.Examiner asks if operating limitations need to be on board.

Answer: Yes, must have POH or placarded limitations available (91.9).

9.You have electronic copy of airworthiness certificate. Is this valid?

Answer: Yes, if readable and accessible; must correspond to aircraft.

10.Examiner asks if weight & balance must be on board.

Answer: Yes, must be available for safe loading calculation (91.103).

PA.I.A.K5 - Part 68 BasicMed Privileges and Limitations

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Knowledge Questions (5)

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3.Can BasicMed pilots fly for hire?

Answer: No, only private/personal flights.

4.How often must BasicMed checklist be completed?

Answer: Every 24 months.

5.Are there pilot experience limits under BasicMed?

Answer: Pilot must meet FAA private pilot requirements; no new restrictions on flight experience beyond normal PIC currency.

Scenario / DPE Questions (5)

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6.Examiner asks if you can carry passengers under BasicMed in 4-seat aircraft at 200 KTAS, 12,000 ft.

Answer: Yes, within BasicMed limits.

7.Examiner asks if you can fly BasicMed in aircraft >6,000 lbs.

Answer: No, exceeds BasicMed aircraft weight limit.

8.You haven't completed BasicMed checklist for 2 years. Can you fly?

Answer: No, must complete checklist within 24 months to act as PIC.

9.Examiner asks if BasicMed allows commercial passenger flights.

Answer: No, only personal/private flights; no compensation.

10.Asked to carry passengers above 18,000 ft.

Answer: No, BasicMed limits ceiling to 18,000 ft.

PA.I.A.R1 & R2 - Risk Management Questions (20)

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1.Scenario: You're PIC but haven't flown in 3 months. Weather is marginal VFR. Do you fly?

Answer: Assess personal proficiency; if not confident, delay flight. Safety over currency.

2.Scenario: You're flying unfamiliar aircraft with unfamiliar avionics. GPS fails en route.

Answer: Revert to pilotage/dead reckoning; maintain situational awareness; communicate with ATC if necessary.

3.Scenario: Fatigue sets in during a long cross-country flight.

Answer: Evaluate capability; consider diversion, landing, or rest; fatigue is a risk factor.

4.Scenario: You're asked to fly passengers into an unfamiliar airport with short runways.

Answer: Assess aircraft performance, personal proficiency, environmental factors; proceed only if safe.

5.Scenario: Unexpected turbulence reported at destination.

Answer: Adjust airspeed, consider alternate airport; prioritize safety.

6.Scenario: Passenger requests a direct route through restricted airspace.

Answer: Refuse; maintain legal compliance; reroute safely.

7.Scenario: Marginal fuel reserve for flight.

Answer: Increase fuel reserve, identify alternates, consider delaying or refueling.

8.Scenario: Night flight after recent illness.

Answer: Evaluate personal health and readiness; delay flight if impaired.

9.Scenario: ATC requests deviation that will fly you into mountains.

Answer: Assess aircraft performance, terrain, and proficiency; comply safely or request alternative.

10.Scenario: Passenger motion sickness mid-flight.

Answer: Adjust altitude/airspeed; provide comfort; consider diversion.

11.Scenario: You're asked to operate above BasicMed altitude limits.

Answer: Refuse; exceed legal/medical limits; ensure safety.

12.Scenario: GPS fails and radios malfunction.

Answer: Revert to backup navigation; maintain VFR; declare emergency if necessary.

13.Scenario: Strong crosswind develops on approach.

Answer: Evaluate skill and aircraft capability; consider go-around; use proper technique.

14.Scenario: Unexpected weather front develops en route.

Answer: Reassess route; consider diversion; monitor weather and communicate.

15.Scenario: You haven't practiced landings in 90 days, but carrying passengers.

Answer: Currency not met; regain proficiency before carrying passengers.

16.Scenario: DPE asks: "What if you encounter icing with carburetor heat inoperative?"

Answer: Assess risk; consider diverting or delaying flight; understand aircraft limitations.

17.Scenario: ATC reports nearby traffic in congested airspace.

Answer: Maintain separation; adjust altitude/heading; communicate intentions.

18.Scenario: Pilot unsure of runway lengths at destination airport.

Answer: Review POH, calculate takeoff/landing distance; ensure safety margins.