PSTAR Air Traffic Rules and Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum age requirement to fly solo as a student pilot in the United States?
- 14 years old
- 16 years old (Correct answer)
- 17 years old
- 18 years old
Correct answer: 16 years old
FAA regulations require a student pilot to be at least 16 years old to fly solo in a powered aircraft.
Question 2: When two aircraft are converging at approximately the same altitude, which aircraft has the right-of-way?
- The faster aircraft
- The aircraft on the left
- The aircraft on the right (Correct answer)
- The heavier aircraft
Correct answer: The aircraft on the right
FAR 91.113 states that when two aircraft converge, the aircraft to the other's right has the right-of-way.
Question 3: What does a flashing green light signal from the control tower mean to an aircraft on the ground?
- Cleared to land
- Cleared for takeoff
- Return to starting point
- Cleared to taxi (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Cleared to taxi
A flashing green light directed at an aircraft on the ground means the aircraft is cleared to taxi.
Question 4: What is the standard traffic pattern altitude for a light aircraft at most airports?
- 500 feet AGL
- 800 feet AGL
- 1,000 feet AGL (Correct answer)
- 1,500 feet AGL
Correct answer: 1,000 feet AGL
The standard traffic pattern altitude is 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) for piston-powered aircraft.
Question 5: Which direction should the traffic pattern be flown unless otherwise specified?
- Clockwise (right turns)
- Counter-clockwise (left turns) (Correct answer)
- Either direction
- Straight-in only
Correct answer: Counter-clockwise (left turns)
Standard traffic patterns use left turns unless a right-hand traffic pattern is specifically published.
Question 6: What is the maximum speed permitted below 10,000 feet MSL in the contiguous United States?
- 200 knots
- 250 knots (Correct answer)
- 300 knots
- 350 knots
Correct answer: 250 knots
FAR 91.117 limits all aircraft to 250 knots indicated airspeed below 10,000 feet MSL.
PSTAR Air Traffic Rules and Procedures 1
What is the minimum age requirement to fly solo as a student pilot in the United States?