Airworthy PrepArea II of 11
Preflight Procedures
13% of the Private Pilot test, about 8 of the 60 questions. The FAA's test standard lists 6 tasks and 39 knowledge elements and 22 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. Preflight Assessment
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.II.A.K1Pilot self-assessment.
- PA.II.A.K2Determining that the airplane to be used is appropriate and airworthy.
- PA.II.A.K3Airplane preflight inspection, including:
- PA.II.A.K3aWhich items should be inspected
- PA.II.A.K3bThe reasons for checking each item
- PA.II.A.K3cHow to detect possible defects
- PA.II.A.K3dThe associated regulations
- PA.II.A.K4Environmental factors, including weather, terrain, route selection, and obstructions.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.II.A.R1Pilot.
- PA.II.A.R2Aircraft.
- PA.II.A.R3Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles).
- PA.II.A.R4External pressures.
- PA.II.A.R5Aviation security concerns.
Task B. Flight Deck Management
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.II.B.K1Passenger briefing requirements, including operation and required use of safety restraint systems.
- PA.II.B.K2Use of appropriate checklists.
- PA.II.B.K3Requirements for current and appropriate navigation data.
- PA.II.B.K4Securing items and cargo.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.II.B.R1Use of systems or equipment, including automation and portable electronic devices.
- PA.II.B.R2Inoperative equipment.
- PA.II.B.R3Passenger distractions.
Task C. Engine Starting
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.II.C.K1Starting under various conditions.
- PA.II.C.K2Starting the engine(s) by use of external power.
- PA.II.C.K3Limitations associated with starting.
- PA.II.C.K4Conditions leading to and procedures for an aborted start.
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.II.C.R1Propeller safety.
Task D. Taxiing (ASEL, AMEL)
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.II.D.K1Current airport aeronautical references and information resources such as the Chart Supplement, airport diagram, and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).
- PA.II.D.K2Taxi instructions/clearances.
- PA.II.D.K3Airport markings, signs, and lights.
- PA.II.D.K4Visual indicators for wind.
- PA.II.D.K5Aircraft lighting, as appropriate.
- PA.II.D.K6Procedures for:
- PA.II.D.K6aAppropriate flight deck activities prior to taxi, including route planning and identifying the location of Hot Spots
- PA.II.D.K6bRadio communications at towered and nontowered airports
- PA.II.D.K6cEntering or crossing runways
- PA.II.D.K6dNight taxi operations
- PA.II.D.K6eLow visibility taxi operations
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.II.D.R1Activities and distractions.
- PA.II.D.R2Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
- PA.II.D.R3A taxi route or departure runway change.
- PA.II.D.R4Runway incursion.
Task E. Taxiing and Sailing (ASES, AMES)
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.II.E.K1Airport information resources, including Chart Supplements, airport diagram, and appropriate references.
- PA.II.E.K2Taxi instructions/clearances.
- PA.II.E.K3Airport/seaplane base markings, signs, and lights.
- PA.II.E.K4Visual indicators for wind.
- PA.II.E.K5Airplane lighting.
- PA.II.E.K6Procedures for:
- PA.II.E.K6aAppropriate flight deck activities during taxiing or sailing
- PA.II.E.K6bRadio communications at towered and nontowered seaplane bases
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.II.E.R1Activities and distractions.
- PA.II.E.R2Porpoising and skipping.
- PA.II.E.R3Low visibility taxi and sailing operations.
- PA.II.E.R4Other aircraft, vessels, and hazards.
- PA.II.E.R5Confirmation or expectation bias as related to taxi instructions.
Task F. Before Takeoff Check
Knowledge: what you must know
- PA.II.F.K1Purpose of before takeoff checklist items, including:
- PA.II.F.K1aReasons for checking each item
- PA.II.F.K1bDetecting malfunctions
- PA.II.F.K1cEnsuring the aircraft is in safe operating condition as recommended by the manufacturer
Risk management: hazards you must be able to spot and manage
- PA.II.F.R1Division of attention while conducting before takeoff checks.
- PA.II.F.R2Unexpected runway changes by air traffic control (ATC).
- PA.II.F.R3Wake turbulence.
- PA.II.F.R4Potential powerplant failure during takeoff or other malfunction considering operational factors such as airplane characteristics, runway/takeoff path length, surface conditions, environmental conditions, and obstructions.
Try a sample question
Preflight Procedures ยท PA.II.D.K4
Refer to the figure. You are taxiing a tailwheel airplane in a strong wind, holding the stick forward and to the right. For wind from which arrow is this the recommended control position?
Practice all of preflight procedures
The full course has questions on every element listed here, with an explanation and FAA source for each.