Cessna 152 Regulations & Certificates — PPL Oral Exam Questions

DPE oral questions · regulations & certificates

14 questions a DPE may ask in this section

1. Question 1 · PA.I.A.K1

   What documents are required to be on board the aircraft before you fly?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • Airworthiness Certificate — must be displayed
   • Registration Certificate
   • Radio Station License (if operating internationally, or if the aircraft has a radio — technically required per 47 CFR for international operations; for domestic VFR many instructors use ARROW)
   • Operating Handbook / POH (required for aircraft certificated after March 1, 1979)
   • Weight and Balance data

   Common wrong answers

   • Forgetting the operating handbook
   • Not mentioning the radio station license
   • Confusing 'displayed' requirement — only the airworthiness certificate must be displayed

   Source14 CFR 91.9, 91.203; FAR/AIM

2. Question 2 · PA.I.A.K1

   What documents must you, the pilot, have with you before acting as pilot in command?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • Pilot certificate (or acceptable temporary certificate)
   • Photo ID (government-issued)
   • Medical certificate

   Common wrong answers

   • Not mentioning photo ID
   • Confusing student pilot requirements with private pilot

   Source14 CFR 61.3

3. Question 3 · PA.I.A.K2

   What is an Airworthiness Directive and what is your responsibility as a pilot?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • An AD is a mandatory regulation issued by the FAA when an unsafe condition exists in a product (aircraft, engine, propeller, appliance)
   • ADs are legally binding
   • Recurring ADs must be complied with at specified intervals
   • One-time ADs must be accomplished before further flight or within a specified time
   • Pilot must confirm all applicable ADs are complied with before flight

   Common wrong answers

   • Thinking ADs are only for major structural issues
   • Not knowing that non-compliance is illegal

   Source14 CFR 39; PHAK FAA-H-8083-25C Chapter 9

4. Question 4 · PA.I.A.K2

   What are the required inspections for this aircraft to be airworthy?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • Annual inspection — every 12 calendar months by an A&P with IA rating
   • 100-hour inspection — if aircraft is used for hire or flight instruction for hire
   • ELT inspection — every 12 calendar months for battery and installation; battery must be replaced after 1 cumulative hour of use or when 50% of battery life used
   • Transponder — every 24 calendar months
   • Pitot/static system — every 24 calendar months if operated in IFR conditions (VFR not required)
   • VOR — every 30 days for IFR operations

   Common wrong answers

   • Not mentioning 100-hour requirement applies only to for-hire operations
   • Forgetting ELT
   • Saying altimeter check is required for all VFR aircraft

   Source14 CFR 91.409, 91.411, 91.413; PHAK Chapter 9

5. Question 5 · PA.I.A.K2

   What makes an aircraft inoperative equipment permissible to fly with?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • Check if the equipment is on the MEL (Minimum Equipment List) if one exists
   • If no MEL: check the POH/AFM for the equipment list — if not required, may be inoperative if placarded INOPERATIVE
   • Check FAR 91.205 — required equipment for day/night VFR must be operative
   • Some equipment can be removed or deactivated (per 14 CFR 91.213)

   Source14 CFR 91.213, 91.205

6. Question 6 · PA.I.A.K1

   What are the right-of-way rules in flight? Which aircraft has right of way over all others?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • Aircraft in distress has right of way over all other aircraft
   • Balloons over all powered aircraft
   • Gliders over heavier-than-air powered aircraft
   • Airships over airplanes and helicopters
   • Aircraft being overtaken has right of way — overtaking aircraft must alter course to the right
   • Aircraft on final approach or landing has right of way over aircraft in flight or taxiing
   • Converging aircraft: aircraft to the right has right of way
   • Head-on: both aircraft must alter course to the right

   Source14 CFR 91.113

7. Question 7 · PA.I.A.K2

   What are the VFR cruising altitudes under FAR 91.159?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • Applies to cruising altitude of 3,000 feet AGL or higher
   • Eastbound (0-179° magnetic): odd thousands + 500 (e.g., 3,500; 5,500; 7,500)
   • Westbound (180-359° magnetic): even thousands + 500 (e.g., 4,500; 6,500; 8,500)

   Source14 CFR 91.159

8. Question 8 · PA.I.A.K2

   What are the visibility and ground contact requirements for special VFR?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • Special VFR (SVFR) requires ATC clearance in Class B, C, D, or E surface area when weather is below VFR minimums
   • SVFR minimums: 1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds
   • Night SVFR: pilot must be instrument rated AND aircraft must be IFR equipped
   • SVFR is always below 10,000 feet MSL

   Source14 CFR 91.157

9. Question 9 · PA.I.A.K3

   What are the regulations regarding alcohol and flying?

   What a DPE expects to hear

   • No flying within 8 hours of consuming alcohol (the '8-hour' rule, 'bottle to throttle')
   • Blood alcohol content must be below 0.04%
   • No flying while under the influence of alcohol
   • DUI conviction must be reported to FAA within 60 days

   Source14 CFR 91.17; 14 CFR 61.15

10. Question 10 · PA.I.A.K3

    What is required for flight in Class B airspace?

    What a DPE expects to hear

    • ATC clearance required
    • Two-way radio communication
    • Mode C transponder (or Mode S ADS-B Out)
    • ADS-B Out within 30 NM of Class B primary airport (Mode C veil)
    • At least a private pilot certificate (or student pilot with logbook endorsement and ATC authorization)
    • Speed: 250 KIAS maximum in Class B

    Source14 CFR 91.131, 91.215, 91.225

11. Question 11 · PA.I.A.K3

    What does ADS-B Out do and when is it required?

    What a DPE expects to hear

    • ADS-B Out broadcasts aircraft position, altitude, velocity to ATC and other aircraft equipped with ADS-B In
    • Required in: Class A, B, C airspace; within Mode C veil (30 NM of Class B primary); above 10,000 MSL (except at or below 2,500 AGL); airspace above Class B or C
    • As of January 1, 2020, mandatory in those areas

    Source14 CFR 91.225

12. Question 12 · PA.I.A

    We notice the compass deviation card is missing. Is the plane airworthy?

    What a DPE expects to hear

    • No — magnetic direction indicator is required for Day VFR AND must have a deviation card

    Source14 CFR 91.205(b)(15)

13. Question 13 · PA.I.A

    The back passenger seatbelt is frayed and won't latch, but we aren't carrying a passenger today. Can we still fly?

    What a DPE expects to hear

    • Use 91.213(d) — is it required by 91.205, KOEL, AD, or type certificate?
    • If no, deactivate/remove and placard INOPERATIVE

    Source14 CFR 91.213(d); ACS Task I.B

14. Question 14 · PA.I.A

    You fly at 13,000 feet for 20 minutes, descend, then climb back to 13,000 feet two hours later. How long before you need supplemental oxygen?

    What a DPE expects to hear

    • Between 12,500 and 14,000 feet — 30 minutes cumulative before crew must use oxygen
    • 20 minutes used = 10 minutes remaining
    • Passengers must be PROVIDED oxygen at 15,000 but are not required to USE it

    Source14 CFR 91.211