PFL Virtual

This application includes a short entrance exam.

A few marked questions near the end, 80% to pass. There is no timer, and you can save your progress and come back to finish it later.

1. Your details → 2. Entrance exam

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Entrance Exam

15 questions, 80% to pass. Answer them all — there is no timer.

1. What is the altimeter setting for standard pressure (inHg and hPa)?

29.90/1012 28.92/997 29.92/1013 None of the above

2. If the altimeter is below 29.92 in the US, what is your lowest usable flight level? For this example, the local altimeter is 29.82.

FL190 FL170 FL180 FL200

3. True or False: Above FL410 to FL600, aircraft are required to be separated by a minimum of 2000 ft. Therefore, the lowest altitude for direction of flight within that quadrant of airspace would be: Westbound FL430 / Eastbound FL450.

True False

4. What’s the safest altitude you can climb, descend or maintain if you lose situational awareness, comms, or are dealing with an emergency when performing an instrument approach?

MEA OROCA MSA MOCA

5. True or False: The "Maltese Cross" on an instrument approach plate is the final approach fix for non-precision approaches.

True False

6. True or False: IFR pilots can descend below the DA (decision altitude) as long as they know the airport environment well enough.

True False

7. Weather conditions are deteriorating at your arrival airport calling into question whether or not you’ll be able to make it in on the approach. The conditions are still at or above minimums, but you’re concerned with the recent weather trends and PIREPS. Which of the following are acceptable decisions in this moment?

Talk to ATC and company and divert to your alternate airport. Attempt the approach anyways and see if the conditions are better than reported. Hold for a bit to see if conditions improve and then divert, if necessary, to your alternate or attempt the approach. All of the Above None of the Above

8. What are the four forces of flight?

Suck, Squeeze, Bang, Blow. Lift, Weight, Thrust, Drag. Pitch, Roll, Yaw, Power None of the Above

9. Why are v-speeds so important?

They aren’t. They are because the aircraft manufacturer says so. They are important because they cover a variety of flight regimes and mitigate/limit the potential for stalls and damaging your aircraft. None of the Above

10. True or False: Spoilers are useful because they “spoil” the airflow over the wing allowing the plane to intentionally decrease lift and increase drag. This allows pilots to modulate their speed without deploying flaps.

True False

11. What’s a SID?

Standard Instrument Departure:are pre-planned IFR procedures that guide aircraft from the takeoff phase to the enroute portion of the flight. Standard Initial Departure:are pre-planned IFR procedures that guide aircraft from the takeoff phase to the enroute portion of the flight. Just for initial phases of flight. Standard Initial Deviation:are pre-planned IFR procedures that guide aircraft from the takeoff phase to the enroute portion of the flight with minor deviations built in. None of the Above

12. What does “being behind the power curve” mean in aviation?

Being behind the power curve means that you aren’t very smart. Being behind the power curve means that you are flying so slow that more power (thrust) is needed in order to maintain level flight. Being behind the power curve insinuates that you’re flying so fast that it’s causing you to be behind the aircraft (i.e. you’re too slow to respond). None of the Above

13. What is the proper procedure for recovering from a stall?

Push the throttle to full and pull back on the yoke to get back to climbing ASAP. Pull back on the yoke til you can break out of the stall. Push the nose forward, roll wings level, and pull throttle to idle to avoid an accelerated stall. Controls and throttle as required for level flight once you’ve recovered sufficient airspeed. None of the Above

14. What is turbulence penetration speed (Vb)?

Turbulence penetration speed is the optimal speed at which an aircraft can safely fly through turbulence, minimizing stress on the airframe. The most aerodynamic speed you can fly thru turbulence that’s economical and expeditious. Stall speed when flying thru turbulence. You must be at or above this speed should you encounter any updrafts or downdrafts. None of the Above

15. Which of the following are good resources to use when flight planning?

NWS - National Weather Service Navigraph Skyvector or Airnav Flightaware PFL Dispatch OFP/Simbrief All of the Above None of the Above

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