FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL): Principles of Flight Questions
239 exam-style Principles of Flight questions for the FAA FAA Private Pilot (PPL) paper (PPL · IR · CPL · ATP). The first 12 are free below with answers and explanations — sign up free to practise all of them with progress tracking.
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Q1
Which two types of drag act on an aircraft independently of the production of lift?
- A Parasite and induced drag
- B Parasite and friction drag
- C Parasite, friction, and form drag
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Correct answer: B. Parasite and friction drag
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Q2
The fixed angle between the wing chord line and the longitudinal axis of the aircraft, set by the designer, is called which of the following?
- A The incidence angle
- B The angle of attack
- C The flightpath climb angle
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Correct answer: A. The incidence angle
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Q3
What effect does decreasing the aspect ratio have on an aircraft’s aerodynamics?
- A Decreases parasite drag
- B Decreases maneuverability
- C Increase induced drag
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Correct answer: C. Increase induced drag
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Q4
What is the secondary effect of the aileron?
- A Speed
- B Yaw
- C Roll
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Correct answer: B. Yaw
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Q5
The ailerons, elevator, and rudder are classified as which type of flight control?
- A Secondary
- B Primary
- C Tertiary
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Correct answer: B. Primary
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Q6
Which two aerodynamic characteristics are most desirable in the design of a wing airfoil?
- A The minimum value of aerodynamic drag and the maximum value of lift
- B The maximum CL/CD relation and the maximum value of lift coefficient
- C The maximum CL/CD relation and the minimum value of aerodynamic drag
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Correct answer: B. The maximum CL/CD relation and the maximum value of lift coefficient
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Q7
You are flying at night, on your right side you see an aircraft on the opposite parallel track. What is the first thing you will see?
- A A red light
- B A green light
- C A white light
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Correct answer: B. A green light
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Q8
Why is the blade of a propeller twisted?
- A To maintain a constant angle of incidence along the whole blade
- B To maintain a constant relative airflow along the whole blade
- C To maintain a constant angle of attack along the whole blade
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Correct answer: C. To maintain a constant angle of attack along the whole blade
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Q9
What is the effect of setting flaps on stall speed?
- A The stall speed increases
- B The stall speed remains the same
- C The stall speed decreases
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Correct answer: C. The stall speed decreases
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Q10
Compared with straight-and-level flight, the indicated stall speed of an airplane in a level, banked turn is which of the following?
- A Higher
- B The same
- C Lower
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Correct answer: A. Higher
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Q11
Calculate the heading from this information.
- A 284°
- B 279°
- C 271°
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Correct answer: A. 284°
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Q12
Which of the four forces acting on an airplane is produced by the engine and propeller and acts to oppose drag?
- A Drag
- B Weight
- C Thrust
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Correct answer: C. Thrust
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