European Private Pilot Challenge Quiz

Welcome to this Icarus Toolbox quiz!

Before you start, you have a choice.

You can take the quiz without opening any of the linked articles and get a true snapshot of your knowledge right now - no preparation, no refresh, just you and your current knowledge.

Or, if you prefer, you can use the articles we’ve selected and linked directly in this quiz to refresh your knowledge before answering the questions. That’s also a perfectly valid approach - the purpose of your time on Icarus Toolbox is not simply to test what you already know, but to help you refresh, strengthen and maintain your aviation knowledge.

Take a few minutes to review the relevant articles, then put your knowledge to the test.

Either way, take your time, read the questions carefully and enjoy the challenge!

QNH is 1003 hPa and the airfield elevation is 5,200 ft. What is the approximate pressure altitude? *

4,900 ft

6,400 ft

4,000 ft

5,500 ft

Using the pressure altitude from the previous question, and assuming ISA +10°C, what is the approximate density altitude? *

5,500 ft

6,100 ft

6,700 ft

7,600 ft

You are flying at 100 kt groundspeed. Your navigation log indicates 25 NM between two waypoints. You start the stopwatch. *

You expect to overfly the next waypoint in minutes.

You are flying 2,000 ft above an airfield elevation of 5,200 ft. Your IAS is 120 kt. Assuming standard conditions and no instrument error, what is your approximate true airspeed? *

120 kt

125 kt

137 kt

150 kt

Refer to our article on Maths and Physics for Pilots.

What is the purpose of an AMC? *

To replace the regulation

To provide an accepted way to comply with the rule

To create national law

To give only background information

In the reference NCO.IDE.A.175, what does “A” usually indicate? *

Authority

Aeroplanes

Aircrew

Approval

Where would you normally find the requirement related to the carriage/use of oxygen for a private flight under Part-NCO? *

NCO.IDE

NCO.OP

NCO.GEN

Part-MED

When determining the need for supplemental oxygen carriage and use, the pilot-in-command should consider which of the following factors? *

Altitude of the place of residence

Smoking habits

Experience with high-altitude flights

Medical conditions and medications

Age

Disabilities

Refer to our articles covering the EASA Air OPS framework and the NCO requirements for oxygen use on board.

During a VFR flight, your GNSS position still looks plausible, but the receiver displays a loss of RAIM or GNSS integrity.

What is the most appropriate response? *

Continue using the GNSS as your primary navigation source because the displayed position has not moved.

Cross-check the position using independent navigation or visual references before relying on the GNSS solution.

Switch to another GNSS application on the same tablet to confirm the position.

Zoom in on the moving map to improve the integrity of the position.

You are flying VFR and notice that your GNSS receiver is tracking only three satellites. It still displays your position on the moving map.

What should you understand? *

The receiver has a complete 3D GNSS position, including an independently calculated altitude.

Three satellites are sufficient for RAIM, so the displayed position can be considered fully protected.

Three satellites can provide a 2D position solution, while four satellites are normally required for a 3D position solution.

The displayed position is unusable until at least five satellites are being tracked.

You are preparing a VFR navigation log for the next leg of your flight. Your planned True Track (TT) is 170°. The chart shows a magnetic variation of 9°W.

What Magnetic Track should you enter in your navigation log? *

161°

170°

179°

189°

Which values can be used in the scope field of the Q line? *

A = Aerodrome

E = En-route

H = H24

G = Ground

W = Navigation warning

In the NOTAM line “M4700/25 NOTAMN”, what does “M4700/25” identify? *

The FIR affected by the NOTAM

The NOTAM series, number, and year

The start time of the NOTAM

The NOTAM subject and condition

Which statements correctly describe the five-letter NOTAM code group? *

The first letter is always Q

The second and third letters describe the subject

The fourth and fifth letters describe the condition or status

The first two letters give the FIR

The last three digits give the radius

In a NOTAM code such as “QLAXX”, what does “XX” usually indicate? *

The NOTAM is cancelled

The information applies to several FIRs

Plain language is used because no suitable code covers the situation

The NOTAM is valid worldwide

Refer to our article on how to decode and understand NOTAMs for flight preparation.

Each life-jacket must be equipped with a means of electric illumination. *

True

False

If you have not conducted an overwater crossing for a long time, which type of refresher training is particularly recommended before acting as PIC? *

Basic instrument flying under a view-limiting device

A seaplane flight

Stall training in straight-and-level flight and turns

Low-level navigation training

When additional survival equipment is required for an overwater flight, how is the appropriate equipment determined? *

The regulation prescribes the same fixed list for every flight

Only a life-raft and first-aid kit are required

The PIC selects equipment appropriate to the identified survival risks

Search and rescue services determine the equipment before departure

Following a ditching in cold water, which actions can improve the occupants’ chances of survival? Select all that apply. *

Stay together

Activate the PLB or emergency beacon

Keep swimming continuously to generate body heat

Minimise unnecessary movement

Separate to increase the area visible to rescuers

Use signalling equipment when it is most likely to attract attention

You are departing from an aerodrome located next to a large lake. Following an engine failure shortly after take-off, ditching would be likely before reaching land. Is a life-jacket required? *

True

False

The pilot-in-command of an aeroplane operated at a distance from land suitable for an emergency landing greater than that corresponding to *

minutes at normal cruising speed or NM, whichever is the lesser, shall determine the risks to survival of the occupants in the event of ditching.

You are flying to Corsica as pilot-in-command in a single-engined landplane. Which statements are correct regarding life-jackets? *

They shall be worn or stowed in a position readily accessible from the seat or berth of the person for whose use they are provided

They must be worn at all times when flying over water

They must be worn at all times when flying beyond gliding distance from land

They are required when flying beyond gliding distance from land

They are required when landing at an aerodrome where, in the pilot-in-command’s opinion, the approach path is so disposed over water that ditching is likely

They are required when taking off where, in the pilot-in-command’s opinion, the take-off path is so disposed over water that ditching is likely

They are required when flying more than 30 NM from land

Refer to our comprehensive overwater flight briefing for a complete refresher and practical guide to VFR overwater operations.

You read the following TAF: BECMG 2104/2106 3000 BR PROB30 TEMPO 2104/2107 VRB02KT 0500 FG. Which statements are correct? *

Between 04:00 and 06:00 UTC on the 21st, visibility is expected to become 3,000 m in mist

Between 04:00 and 07:00 UTC on the 21st, temporary visibility of 500 m in fog is possible with a probability of 30%

Between 04:00 and 06:00 UTC, visibility will temporarily improve to 3,000 m

Between 04:00 and 07:00 UTC, fog conditions are certain

The destination TAF reads:
TAF XXXX 121100Z 1212/1221 9999 SCT020 BECMG 1216/1218 3000 BR BKN006 PROB30 TEMPO 1217/1220 0800 FG VV002

Your ETA is 17:20.

How should the forecast deterioration be treated during VFR pre-flight planning? *

Apply the BECMG deterioration from the start of the change period; the PROB30 TEMPO deterioration may be disregarded.

Apply the BECMG deterioration only from 18:00, because the change is not complete before the end of the BECMG period.

Apply the PROB30 TEMPO fog conditions as the expected weather at 17:20 because fog is a persistent phenomenon.

Calculate an intermediate visibility between 3,000 m and 800 m according to the 30% probability stated in the TAF.

Refer to our articles on how to read METARs and TAFs, and how to interpret TAF & TREND forecasts for flight planning and decision-making.

During the pre-flight altimeter check, your altimeter does not indicate the exact aerodrome elevation, but the error is within ±60 ft. What should you do? *

Adjust the altimeter indication manually before departure

Ignore the error during the flight, provided it is within tolerance

Set 1013 hPa before take-off

Consider the altimeter unserviceable

You are completing a weight and balance calculation. Front seats: 150 kg at arm 0.50 m. Back seats: 10 kg at arm 1.00 m. What are the correct moments? *

Front: / Back:

You plan to fly below a military airspace at 1,500 ft AMSL, 700 ft AGL, in Class E controlled airspace under VFR. What is the minimum distance from cloud? *

1,500 m horizontally and 1,000 ft vertically

Clear of cloud and with the surface in sight

1,500 ft horizontally and 1,000 m vertically

1,500 ft horizontally and 300 m vertically

Refer to our guide to VFR and SVFR minima and their practical application.

An aerodrome elevation is 2000 ft and the QNH is 1023 hPa. What is the approximate pressure altitude? *

1700 ft

2000 ft

2300 ft

2600 ft

You are descending from FL125 to 4500 ft. The transition level is FL60 and the QNH is 992 hPa. Passing FL60, you set QNH. What will the altimeter indicate approximately? *

4500 ft

5370 ft

6000 ft

6630 ft

Which items can increase density altitude? *

High temperature

Low pressure

High aerodrome elevation

Cold temperature

Refer to our article on Altimetry.