Airworthy PrepArea VI of 11
Navigation
8% of the Private Pilot test, about 5 of the 60 questions. The FAA's test standard lists 4 tasks and 22 knowledge elements and 17 risk management elements for this area. Here is every one, plus sample questions to try.
What the FAA tests
From the Private Pilot Airplane test standard, FAA-S-ACS-6C.
Task A. Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.VI.A.K1Pilotage and dead reckoning.
- PA.VI.A.K2Magnetic compass errors.
- PA.VI.A.K3Topography.
- PA.VI.A.K4Selection of appropriate:
- PA.VI.A.K4aRoute
- PA.VI.A.K4bAltitude(s)
- PA.VI.A.K4cCheckpoints
- PA.VI.A.K5Plotting a course, including:
- PA.VI.A.K5aDetermining heading, speed, and course
- PA.VI.A.K5bWind correction angle
- PA.VI.A.K5cEstimating time, speed, and distance
- PA.VI.A.K5dTrue airspeed and density altitude
- PA.VI.A.K6Power setting selection.
- PA.VI.A.K7Planned calculations versus actual results and required corrections.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.VI.A.R1Collision hazards.
- PA.VI.A.R2Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- PA.VI.A.R3Unplanned fuel/power consumption, if applicable.
Task B. Navigation Systems and Radar Services
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.VI.B.K1Ground-based navigation (identification, orientation, course determination, equipment, tests, regulations, interference, appropriate use of navigation data, and signal integrity).
- PA.VI.B.K2Satellite-based navigation (e.g., equipment, regulations, authorized use of databases, and Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)).
- PA.VI.B.K3Radar assistance to visual flight rules (VFR) aircraft (e.g., operations, equipment, available services, traffic advisories).
- PA.VI.B.K4Transponder (Mode(s) A, C, and S) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B).
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.VI.B.R1Management of automated navigation and autoflight systems.
- PA.VI.B.R2Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- PA.VI.B.R3Limitations of the navigation system in use.
- PA.VI.B.R4Loss of a navigation signal.
- PA.VI.B.R5Use of an electronic flight bag (EFB), if used.
Task C. Diversion
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.VI.C.K1Selecting an alternate destination.
- PA.VI.C.K2Situations that require deviations from flight plan or air traffic control (ATC) instructions.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.VI.C.R1Collision hazards.
- PA.VI.C.R2Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- PA.VI.C.R3Circumstances that would make diversion prudent.
- PA.VI.C.R4Selecting an appropriate airport or seaplane base.
- PA.VI.C.R5Using available resources (e.g., automation, ATC, and flight deck planning aids).
Task D. Lost Procedures
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.VI.D.K1Methods to determine position.
- PA.VI.D.K2Assistance available if lost (e.g., radar services, communication procedures).
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.VI.D.R1Collision hazards.
- PA.VI.D.R2Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
- PA.VI.D.R3Recording times over waypoints.
- PA.VI.D.R4When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.
Try a sample question
Navigation ยท PA.VI.B.K3
You are receiving VFR radar traffic advisories from approach control and now want to leave the frequency to listen to an airport's CTAF. What is the correct procedure?
Practice all of navigation
The full course has questions on every element listed here, with an explanation and FAA source for each.