Free Reference Guide · aeroacademic.com
FAA Airman Knowledge Test
Quick Reference Guide
Covers: Private Pilot (PAR) · Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX) · Commercial Pilot Helicopter (CAH) · Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)
Sources: PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25), AFH (FAA-H-8083-3), AWH (FAA-H-8083-28), AIM, 14 CFR, ACS 2023–2025
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1 · Private Pilot ACS Knowledge Areas (PAR)
The Airman Certification Standards (ACS) organises every tested topic by Area of Operation and Task. Each Aero Academic question is tagged with its ACS code. Focus your study time on areas with red marks on your practice KDR.
I · Preflight Preparation
PA.I.A — Pilot Qualifications
PA.I.B — Airworthiness
PA.I.C — Weather Information
PA.I.D — Cross-Country Planning
PA.I.E — National Airspace System
PA.I.F — Performance & Limitations
PA.I.G — Operation of Systems
PA.I.H — Human Factors
II · Preflight Procedures
PA.II.A — Preflight Inspection
PA.II.B — Flight Deck
PA.II.C — Engine Starting
PA.II.D — Taxiing
PA.II.E — Runup
III · Airport & Seaplane Base Operations
PA.III.A — Radio Communications
PA.III.B — Traffic Patterns
PA.III.C — Airport Signs & Markings
VI · Navigation
PA.VI.A — Pilotage & Dead Reckoning
PA.VI.B — Navigation Systems & Radar
PA.VI.C — Diversion
PA.VI.D — Lost Procedures
VIII · Basic Instrument Maneuvers
PA.VIII.A — Straight-and-Level
PA.VIII.B — Constant Airspeed Climbs/Descents
PA.VIII.C — Turns to Headings
PA.VIII.D — Recovery from Unusual Attitudes
IX · Emergency Operations
PA.IX.A — Emergency Approach & Landing
PA.IX.B — Systems Malfunction
PA.IX.C — Emergency Equipment
PA.IX.D — Squawk 7700
Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG) — 8 ACS Knowledge Areas
Regulations (14 CFR Part 107) · Airspace Classification & Restrictions · Weather Interpretation · Small UAS Loading & Performance · Emergency Procedures · Crew Resource Management · Radio Communications · Airport Operations. The UAG knowledge test has 60 questions; pass mark is 70%.
2 · Key Formulas & Rules of Thumb
3 · Airspace & VFR Weather Minimums
| Class |
Entry Requirement |
Flight Visibility |
Cloud Clearance |
| A (18,000–60,000 ft MSL) | IFR clearance required | N/A (IFR only) | N/A |
| B (surface–10,000 ft AGL around busy airports) | ATC clearance; Mode C transponder | 3 SM | Clear of clouds |
| C (surface–4,000 ft AGL — typically 5 nm radius) | Two-way ATC radio; Mode C | 3 SM | 500 below · 1,000 above · 2,000 horizontal |
| D (surface–2,500 ft AGL — typically 4 nm radius) | Two-way ATC radio; no transponder req. | 3 SM | 500 below · 1,000 above · 2,000 horizontal |
| E at or above 10,000 ft MSL | None (no ATC contact req.) | 5 SM | 1,000 below · 1,000 above · 1 nm horizontal |
| E below 10,000 ft MSL | None | 3 SM | 500 below · 1,000 above · 2,000 horizontal |
| G above 1,200 ft AGL — DAY | None | 1 SM | Clear of clouds |
| G above 1,200 ft AGL — NIGHT | None | 3 SM | 500 below · 1,000 above · 2,000 horizontal |
| G at or below 1,200 ft AGL — DAY | None | 1 SM | Clear of clouds |
| G at or below 1,200 ft AGL — NIGHT | None | 3 SM | Clear of clouds |
Part 107 — UAS altitude and airspace rules
Maximum altitude: 400 ft AGL (or 400 ft above the highest point of a structure within 400 ft). Class B, C, D, E surface area: LAANC authorization or ATC permission required. Class G: no ATC permission required but Part 107 rules still apply.
4 · Currency & Certificate Requirements (14 CFR Part 61)
| Requirement | Detail | Reference |
|---|
| Passenger currency — day | 3 takeoffs and 3 landings within the preceding 90 days in same aircraft category and class (and type if required) | 61.57(a) |
| Passenger currency — night | 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise, within 90 days | 61.57(b) |
| Instrument currency | 6 instrument approaches, holding procedures, intercepting and tracking courses within 6 calendar months | 61.57(c) |
| Medical — 3rd class (under 40) | Valid for 60 calendar months | 61.23 |
| Medical — 3rd class (40 and over) | Valid for 24 calendar months | 61.23 |
| BasicMed | Valid for 48 months; requires AOPA/EAA online course every 24 months; max 6,000 lb, 250 kt IAS, 18,000 ft MSL, 6 PAX | 61.113(i) |
| Knowledge test validity | 24 calendar months to complete the practical test | 61.39 |
| Part 107 — knowledge test renewal | Every 24 calendar months; recurrent knowledge test or approved safety course | 107.65 |
| VFR fuel — day | 30 minutes reserve at cruise after reaching destination | 91.151(a)(1) |
| VFR fuel — night | 45 minutes reserve at cruise after reaching destination | 91.151(a)(2) |
5 · Weather — Quick Decode
METAR example
METAR KSFO 150556Z 14008KT 10SM FEW025 SCT060 18/12 A2998 RMK AO2
| Field | Example | Meaning |
|---|
| Wind | 14008KT | 140° magnetic, 8 knots; gusts shown as G15KT |
| Visibility | 10SM | 10 statute miles; ¼SM = ¼ mile |
| Clouds | FEW025 SCT060 | Few (⅛–¼ sky) at 2,500 ft; Scattered (⅜–½) at 6,000 ft. BKN = broken (≥⅝), OVC = overcast |
| Temp/Dew | 18/12 | 18°C temperature, 12°C dew point. Small spread → fog/low clouds possible |
| Altimeter | A2998 | 29.98 inHg (set in aircraft altimeter) |
Icing, turbulence & thunderstorm triggers
| Hazard | Condition to watch for |
|---|
| Structural icing | Visible moisture (cloud, rain, drizzle) + OAT between +2°C and −20°C. Most severe in freezing rain. |
| Carburetor icing | OAT between −7°C and +21°C with high humidity. Use carb heat before reducing power. |
| Thunderstorm onset | Lifting index ≤ −6, CAPE > 1,500 J/kg, dew-point spread ≤ 5°C, cumulus growing vertically |
| Mountain wave | Wind perpendicular to ridge ≥ 25 kt, stable air, cap cloud or lenticular AC above ridgeline |
| Windshear on approach | Airspeed change > 15 kt, vertical speed change > 500 fpm, or heading deviation > 10° on stable approach |
6 · PHAK Chapter Index (FAA-H-8083-25)
Every Aero Academic question citing the PHAK references one of these chapters. Use this to go back to the source when a question explanation isn't clear.
| Ch. | Title | Key topics tested |
|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Flying | History, certificates, ratings |
| 2 | Aeronautical Decision-Making | ADM, DECIDE, PAVE, IM SAFE, IMSAFE, CRM, hazardous attitudes |
| 3 | Aircraft Construction | Airframe types, materials, structures |
| 4 | Principles of Flight | Lift (Bernoulli + Newton), drag, thrust, weight, four forces |
| 5 | Aerodynamics of Flight | Stability, load factor, stalls, spins, turns, ground effect |
| 6 | Flight Controls | Primary/secondary controls, adverse yaw, P-factor, torque |
| 7 | Aircraft Systems | Engine types, fuel systems, electrical, hydraulics, pressurization |
| 8 | Flight Instruments | Pitot-static, gyroscopic, magnetic compass errors |
| 9 | Flight Manuals & Other Documents | AFM/POH sections, airworthiness, MEL |
| 10 | Weight & Balance | CG calculations, envelope, loading manifest |
| 11 | Aircraft Performance | Density altitude, takeoff/landing distances, cruise performance |
| 12 | Weather Theory | Atmosphere layers, fronts, pressure, moisture, clouds, icing |
| 13 | Aviation Weather Services | METAR, TAF, PIREPs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, prog charts |
| 14 | Navigation | Charts, sectionals, E6-B, dead reckoning, pilotage |
| 15 | Airspace | Classes A–G, SUA, MOAs, prohibited, restricted, TFRs |
| 16 | Navigation Systems | VOR, GPS, ADF/NDB, ILS, WAAS, RAIM |
| 17 | ATC and Airspace Operations | ATC services, light signals, lost comm, ATIS, AWOS |
7 · Common Exam Traps