Which is a common early symptom of hypoxia that makes it especially dangerous?
- Sharp pain in the ears and sinuses
- Severe chest pain and shortness of breath
- A feeling of well-being with impaired judgment
- Loss of hearing and a ringing sound
Show the answer
C. A feeling of well-being with impaired judgment
Hypoxia often brings euphoria and poor judgment, so the pilot feels fine while performance falls apart. Other signs include headache, tingling, slowed reactions and blue fingernails or lips. Ear and sinus pain come from trapped gas, not lack of oxygen.
Reference: FAA-H-8083-25 (PHAK), Chapter 17; AIM Chapter 8
An airplane is loaded to maximum gross weight instead of a light weight. Compared with the light airplane, it will stall at
- the same angle of attack but a higher airspeed
- a higher angle of attack and a higher airspeed
- the same angle of attack and the same airspeed
- a lower angle of attack but the same airspeed
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A. the same angle of attack but a higher airspeed
A given wing always stalls at the same critical angle of attack. Extra weight means more lift is needed, so that angle is reached at a higher airspeed. The critical angle itself does not move with weight.
Reference: FAA-H-8083-25 (PHAK), Chapter 5
What is the minimum requirement to enter Class B airspace under VFR?
- Two-way radio contact with the approach controller
- A filed VFR flight plan and a discrete transponder code
- Radar contact and a traffic advisory from approach control
- An ATC clearance to enter the Class B airspace
Show the answer
D. An ATC clearance to enter the Class B airspace
Class B requires a specific clearance, such as 'cleared into the Class Bravo airspace'. Two-way radio contact is enough for Class C and D, which is why it is the tempting wrong answer here.
Reference: 14 CFR 91.131
On a sectional chart, an isogonic line connects points of
- equal magnetic deviation
- equal terrain elevation
- equal barometric pressure
- equal magnetic variation
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D. equal magnetic variation
Isogonic lines join places with the same angle between true north and magnetic north. Deviation is a different error, caused by magnetic fields inside the aircraft, and is found on the compass correction card.
Reference: FAA-H-8083-25 (PHAK), Chapter 16
Which combination of conditions produces the highest density altitude at a given airport?
- High temperature, high humidity and low pressure
- Low temperature, low humidity and high pressure
- High temperature, low humidity and high pressure
- Low temperature, high humidity and low pressure
Show the answer
A. High temperature, high humidity and low pressure
Air is least dense when it is hot, moist and at low pressure. Humid air is lighter than dry air because water vapor weighs less than the air it displaces, which surprises many students.
Reference: FAA-H-8083-25 (PHAK), Chapter 11