TBAS Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which control input is most commonly used to keep the aircraft symbol centered on the target?

Rudder pedal movement
Flap adjustment
Aileron and elevator inputs (Correct answer)
Throttle adjustment

Correct answer: Aileron and elevator inputs

To keep the aircraft symbol centered on a moving target, a pilot typically uses both aileron and elevator inputs. Ailerons control roll for horizontal adjustments, while elevators control pitch for vertical adjustments. Coordinated use of these controls allows for precise two-dimensional tracking of the target.

Question 2: On a three-pointer altimeter, the shortest needle points to 1, the medium needle points to 5, and the longest needle points to 3. What altitude is indicated?

1,053 feet
10,530 feet
1,530 feet (Correct answer)
15,300 feet

Correct answer: 1,530 feet

On a three-pointer altimeter, the shortest needle reads thousands (1,000), the medium needle reads hundreds (500), and the longest needle reads tens (30), giving a total of 1,530 feet.

Question 3: Which of the following real-world aviation scenarios is most accurately simulated by the specific skill set tested in the Combined Tracking Coordination subtest?

Executing an emergency checklist from memory after an engine failure.
Performing a pre-flight inspection while verbally briefing a crew member.
Calculating fuel consumption and cross-referencing navigation charts during cruise flight.
Maintaining a precise instrument approach path with control stick and rudder pedals while responding to Air Traffic Control instructions. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Maintaining a precise instrument approach path with control stick and rudder pedals while responding to Air Traffic Control instructions.

The subtest mirrors the demands of a critical flight phase like an instrument approach, which requires continuous, fine motor inputs with both hands (joystick) and feet (rudder pedals) to maintain a flight path, while simultaneously processing and responding to critical auditory information from ATC.

Question 4: Which of the following is a common mistake pilots make during the Horizontal Tracking Test?

Using the rudder instead of the ailerons for horizontal adjustments (Correct answer)
Ignoring altitude changes
Maintaining too low an airspeed
Focusing too much on the vertical position of the target

Correct answer: Using the rudder instead of the ailerons for horizontal adjustments

A common mistake in the Horizontal Tracking Test is incorrectly using rudder pedals for horizontal adjustments instead of ailerons. While rudder pedals control yaw, ailerons are designed for roll, which directly affects lateral movement. Misusing controls demonstrates a lack of understanding of aircraft dynamics and hinders accurate horizontal tracking.

Question 5: If a pilot makes a 45° turn to the left from a heading of 180°, what is the new heading?

270°
90°
225°
135° (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 135°

A pilot flying on a heading of 180° (South) makes a 45° turn to the left. A left turn means decreasing the heading value. Therefore, 180° - 45° = 135°. This calculation gives the new heading after the left turn.

Question 6: In the more complex, combined-task portions of the TBAS, the Horizontal Tracking Control task is performed simultaneously with another activity. Which of the following tasks is most likely to be paired with it?

Tracking a second target moving in two dimensions with a joystick. (Correct answer)
Answering true/false questions via keyboard.
Solving complex mathematical equations.
Identifying aircraft silhouettes from a list.

Correct answer: Tracking a second target moving in two dimensions with a joystick.

A key feature of the TBAS is its assessment of multitasking. The Horizontal Tracking task (using rudder pedals) is combined with the Airplane Tracking Test, which requires using a joystick to follow a target moving across the entire screen.

Question 7: Which cognitive ability is most essential for preventing a gradual decline in performance throughout the entire duration of a long and repetitive TBAS multitasking subtest?

Spatial orientation.
Divided attention.
Selective attention.
Sustained attention (vigilance). (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sustained attention (vigilance).

Sustained attention, also known as vigilance, is the ability to maintain concentration and focus over a prolonged period, especially on monotonous or demanding tasks. This is crucial for managing cognitive fatigue and preventing performance from degrading over the course of a lengthy test session.

Question 8: In a scenario simulating a TBAS auditory test, a candidate hears the following sequence: 'Alpha... 7... Bravo... 5... Kilo...'. The target numbers are 3, 5, and 9. When should the candidate react?

Immediately after hearing 'Alpha'
Immediately after hearing '5' (Correct answer)
After the full sequence is complete
Immediately after hearing '7'

Correct answer: Immediately after hearing '5'

The instructions for this TBAS subtest require the candidate to respond as quickly as possible upon hearing a target stimulus. Since '5' is one of the designated target numbers, the correct action is to react immediately after it is announced.

Question 9: A pilot experiences an engine failure immediately after takeoff. Which TBAS-evaluated skillset is most critical for simultaneously maintaining aircraft control, navigating to a suitable landing site, and initiating emergency procedures?

Divided attention and multitasking capability (Correct answer)
Unidimensional psychomotor tracking
Spatial orientation processing speed
Auditory selective attention

Correct answer: Divided attention and multitasking capability

An engine failure after takeoff requires the pilot to divide attention between multiple critical tasks: flying the plane (psychomotor control), navigating to a landing spot (visual search and decision making), and executing procedures (memory recall). This is the essence of multitasking ability assessed by the combined subtests of the TBAS. [2, 4, 9]

Question 10: In the Combined Tracking Coordination subtest of the TBAS, which controls are used to manage the two separate visual tracking tasks?

Rudder pedals for horizontal tracking, joystick for vertical tracking. (Correct answer)
Rudder pedals for both horizontal and vertical tracking.
Joystick for both horizontal and vertical tracking.
Joystick for horizontal tracking, rudder pedals for vertical tracking.

Correct answer: Rudder pedals for horizontal tracking, joystick for vertical tracking.

This subtest is designed to assess limb coordination by splitting the control axes between different inputs. The feet manage the horizontal target via rudder pedals, while the hand manages the vertical target via the joystick.

Question 11: Which of the following cognitive skills is the primary focus of the standalone Two-Dimensional (Airplane) Tracking test?

Auditory processing speed
Spatial orientation
Short-term memory recall
Hand-eye coordination (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Hand-eye coordination

The Two-Dimensional Tracking test, which involves using a joystick to follow a target moving in two dimensions, is fundamentally designed to assess a candidate's hand-eye coordination and psychomotor skills.

Question 12: Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the auditory processing speed components within the Test of Basic Aviation Skills (TBAS)?

To test long-term memory of aviation-related terminology presented verbally.
To evaluate a candidate's ability to quickly and accurately react to critical auditory information under cognitive load and amidst distractions. (Correct answer)
To assess a candidate's ability to understand complex spoken instructions in a quiet environment.
To measure a candidate's musical aptitude and ability to discern different tones.

Correct answer: To evaluate a candidate's ability to quickly and accurately react to critical auditory information under cognitive load and amidst distractions.

The auditory sections of the TBAS are designed to simulate a high-workload environment. They test a candidate's ability to process and respond to specific, critical auditory cues (like call signs or warnings) while simultaneously performing other tasks, which is a crucial skill for pilots.

Question 13: During a TBAS session, a candidate must track a target moving in two dimensions while also responding to specific auditory cues. This combined task structure is principally designed to assess the candidate's ability to do what?

Memorize and recall long sequences of characters.
Demonstrate perfect situational awareness in a static environment.
Perform under a high cognitive load and divide attention. (Correct answer)
Maintain fine motor control without any distractions.

Correct answer: Perform under a high cognitive load and divide attention.

The multitasking components of the TBAS, such as combining tracking tasks with auditory instructions, are specifically designed to measure a candidate's ability to perform under extreme cognitive loads and effectively divide their attention between multiple simultaneous tasks, a critical skill for pilots.

Question 14: The requirement to use a joystick and rudder pedals for two different tracking tasks while simultaneously monitoring an auditory channel in the TBAS directly simulates which real-world pilot activity?

Calculating fuel consumption during a long-haul flight on autopilot.
Manually flying an aircraft, monitoring instruments, and communicating with Air Traffic Control. (Correct answer)
Performing a pre-flight inspection while listening to a weather briefing.
Navigating using a paper chart while the co-pilot handles communications.

Correct answer: Manually flying an aircraft, monitoring instruments, and communicating with Air Traffic Control.

This combination of multi-limb psychomotor control (flying the plane) and selective listening (communicating with ATC) is a direct parallel to the skills tested. Pilots must constantly divide their attention between controlling the aircraft's flight path and processing critical auditory information.

Question 15: A candidate performing the TBAS multitasking subtest demonstrates near-perfect accuracy on the horizontal (pedal) and 2D (stick) tracking tasks but fails to respond to two of the three auditory target numbers. This performance most likely indicates a weakness in which area?

Divided attention, with cognitive resources overallocated to the psychomotor tasks. (Correct answer)
A malfunction of the auditory response button.
A fundamental hearing impairment.
Poor understanding of the tracking tasks' instructions.

Correct answer: Divided attention, with cognitive resources overallocated to the psychomotor tasks.

The candidate's success in the complex tracking tasks shows they understand them and have the necessary motor skills. However, their failure on the simpler auditory task when performed concurrently points to an inability to effectively divide their attention and manage the cognitive load of all tasks at once, a core skill the TBAS measures.

Question 16: The Horizontal Tracking Control portion of the TBAS is fundamentally designed to assess a candidate's proficiency in which area?

Short-term memory recall.
Auditory processing and multitasking.
Spatial orientation and map reading.
Psychomotor skills and foot-eye coordination. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Psychomotor skills and foot-eye coordination.

This subtest directly measures psychomotor abilities, specifically the fine motor skills required to coordinate foot movements with visual tracking tasks, which is a crucial skill for pilots.

Question 17: A pilot inadvertently enters instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and becomes spatially disoriented. The ability to rapidly interpret aircraft instruments and apply correct control inputs to recover is most directly measured by which TBAS subtest?

The Horizontal Tracking Control subtest
The Spatial Orientation subtest (Correct answer)
The Auditory Processing Speed subtest
The Combined Tracking Coordination subtest

Correct answer: The Spatial Orientation subtest

The Spatial Orientation subtest specifically assesses a candidate's ability to quickly perceive an aircraft's attitude from an instrument display and determine the correct control inputs to return to a desired state, which directly mirrors the skills needed to recover from spatial disorientation using instruments. [3, 15, 20]

Question 18: Your UAV is on a heading of 045° (Northeast). From your perspective in the UAV, the Southern target would be located generally...

Behind and to the left
Behind and to the right (Correct answer)
Ahead and to the right
Ahead and to the left

Correct answer: Behind and to the right

Your heading is Northeast (045°). South is at 180°. The relative direction is 180° - 045° = 135° to your right. This places the Southern target behind you and to your right.

Question 19: During an in-flight emergency with multiple cascading system alerts, such as a master caution light, an engine fire bell, and a "low hydraulic pressure" voice alert, a pilot's ability to filter out non-critical alerts and focus on the most immediate threat is analogous to which TBAS task?

Maintaining a target within the tracking box in the Horizontal Tracking test
Simultaneously managing joystick and rudder pedal inputs in the Combined Tracking test
Determining aircraft orientation from the attitude indicator in the Spatial Orientation test
Responding to pre-briefed target numbers amidst distracting auditory information (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Responding to pre-briefed target numbers amidst distracting auditory information

The auditory processing speed test directly measures selective attention—the ability to focus on relevant stimuli (target numbers) while ignoring irrelevant ones (distractor letters and numbers). This cognitive skill is crucial for managing multiple alerts during an emergency, prioritizing the most critical warning, and avoiding distraction. [19, 21]

Question 20: Which of the following correctly identifies the three distinct, simultaneous tasks required in the most complex version of the Combined Tracking Coordination subtest?

Horizontal tracking, vertical tracking, and solving on-screen math problems.
Horizontal tracking with rudder pedals, two-dimensional tracking with a joystick, and responding to auditory number targets. (Correct answer)
Horizontal tracking with a joystick, vertical tracking with rudder pedals, and responding to visual cues.
Directional orientation, instrument cross-checking, and auditory memory recall.

Correct answer: Horizontal tracking with rudder pedals, two-dimensional tracking with a joystick, and responding to auditory number targets.

The test explicitly combines three primary tasks: using rudder pedals to track a target horizontally, using a joystick to track another target in two dimensions (which includes the vertical axis), and responding to specific, pre-briefed numbers presented aurally.

Question 21: How can a pilot determine if they are overcorrecting during the Horizontal Tracking Test?

The target stays to one side consistently
The target remains perfectly centered
The target oscillates from left to right (Correct answer)
The target moves vertically

Correct answer: The target oscillates from left to right

Overcorrecting during the Horizontal Tracking Test is indicated when the target repeatedly moves past the center point, swinging back and forth from left to right. This oscillation suggests that the pilot is applying too much control input, causing the aircraft to continually overshoot the desired centered position. Effective tracking requires smooth, proportional adjustments.

Question 22: A TBAS candidate is performing the combined multitasking subtest. They successfully correct for a sudden, unpredictable change in the 2D tracking target's direction but, in the instant immediately following, fail to respond to a valid auditory target number. What is the most likely cognitive explanation for this specific error?

Poor long-term memory of the target number set.
Auditory masking from the physical sound of the joystick.
Attentional tunneling on the high-demand visual task. (Correct answer)
Motor fatigue in the hand controlling the joystick.

Correct answer: Attentional tunneling on the high-demand visual task.

The sudden, high-demand nature of correcting an unpredictable target movement likely caused 'attentional tunneling,' where the candidate's cognitive resources were momentarily fully consumed by the visual-motor task, leaving insufficient capacity to process the simultaneous auditory cue.

Question 23: A candidate notices that their tracking accuracy consistently falters for a brief moment immediately after they successfully identify and respond to an auditory target. This momentary dip in visual-motor performance is best explained by:

the attention switching cost. (Correct answer)
sensory adaptation to the screen.
a decline in motor skill proficiency.
long-term memory interference.

Correct answer: the attention switching cost.

An 'attention switching cost' is the performance decrement that occurs when shifting focus from one task to another. The act of processing the auditory cue and executing a response temporarily diverts cognitive resources from the continuous tracking task, causing a brief, measurable lapse in performance as attention is shifted back.

Question 24: An aircraft is flying on a heading of 270° (West) and makes a 180° turn. What is the new heading?

180° (South)
0° (North)
90° (East) (Correct answer)
360° (North)

Correct answer: 90° (East)

An aircraft on a heading of 270° is flying West. A 180° turn means reversing direction. To find the new heading, you add or subtract 180° from the current heading. 270° - 180° = 90°. Therefore, the new heading will be 90°, which is East.

Question 25: A pilot candidate is undergoing a TBAS subtest where they hear a series of letters and numbers. They are instructed to respond only when they hear one of the pre-briefed target numbers. Which of the following cognitive functions is LEAST directly measured by their speed and accuracy in this task?

Reaction time
Working memory
Spatial orientation (Correct answer)
Auditory processing speed

Correct answer: Spatial orientation

This auditory task primarily evaluates auditory processing speed, reaction time, and working memory (to remember the target numbers). Spatial orientation, which involves understanding one's position and direction relative to other objects, is not assessed in this purely auditory response test.

Question 26: A candidate's TBAS results show high proficiency in the stand-alone listening and tracking tests, but a significantly lower score on the combined multitasking subtest where they are performed together. This specific pattern strongly suggests a deficit in:

Task comprehension.
Auditory processing speed.
Motor skill coordination.
Cognitive load management. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cognitive load management.

The candidate has proven they can perform each individual task well. The performance decline when the tasks are combined is a classic indicator of difficulty with managing cognitive load—the total amount of mental effort being used. The test is specifically designed to assess this ability to handle multiple concurrent demands.

Question 27: If an aircraft is heading north (0°) and makes a 90° turn to the right, what will be its new heading?

90° (East) (Correct answer)
360° (North)
180° (South)
270° (West)

Correct answer: 90° (East)

In aviation, headings are measured clockwise from North (0°/360°). If an aircraft is heading North (0°) and makes a 90° turn to the right (clockwise), it will be facing East. Therefore, the new heading will be 0° + 90° = 90°.

Question 28: Which of the following critical-phase scenarios most heavily relies on the fine psychomotor coordination and continuous control adjustment skills assessed by the TBAS Two-Dimensional (Airplane) Tracking test?

Identifying a system malfunction based on a single annunciator light
Performing a pre-flight weight and balance calculation
Communicating a "Mayday" call to air traffic control
Executing a missed approach in low visibility (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Executing a missed approach in low visibility

A missed approach in low visibility requires the pilot to precisely fly the aircraft by reference to instruments, making continuous, fine adjustments to pitch and roll to follow a specific flight path. This task directly mirrors the challenge of the 2D tracking test, which requires constant, fine joystick inputs to keep a reticle on a moving target. [6, 7]

Question 29: An aircraft is heading on a bearing of 330° and turns left 90°. What is the new heading?

90°
60°
0°
240° (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 240°

An aircraft on a bearing of 330° turns left 90°. A left turn means subtracting degrees from the current heading. So, 330° - 90° = 240°. This calculation provides the new heading after the specified turn.

Question 30: The most complex multitasking portion of the TBAS requires a candidate to perform which combination of activities simultaneously?

A spatial orientation (UAV) task and a three-digit listening task.
A reading comprehension test, a single tracking task, and an auditory memory task.
Two separate auditory tasks and a single horizontal tracking task.
A horizontal tracking task (pedals), a separate two-dimensional tracking task (stick), and a selective listening task. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A horizontal tracking task (pedals), a separate two-dimensional tracking task (stick), and a selective listening task.

This subtest is designed to maximize cognitive load by combining three distinct activities: tracking a target on a horizontal axis with rudder pedals, tracking a different target in two dimensions with a joystick, and responding to specific auditory cues (target numbers) presented via headphones.

Question 31: Which of the following is the most effective mental strategy for succeeding in the TBAS multitasking section?

Focus entirely on the joystick tracking, as it is the most complex task.
Prioritize the auditory task above all else, even if tracking performance suffers.
Develop a scan or rhythm, continuously cycling attention between all required tasks. (Correct answer)
Mute the audio to eliminate distractions and maximize tracking scores.

Correct answer: Develop a scan or rhythm, continuously cycling attention between all required tasks.

The key to the multitasking section is not to perfectly perform a single task at the expense of others, but to manage them all concurrently. An effective strategy is to develop a continuous, rhythmic scan, allocating brief moments of focused attention to each task in a cycle to ensure none are neglected.

Question 32: Without a visible natural horizon (at night or in clouds), why can a pilot not reliably sense aircraft attitude without instruments?

The vestibular (inner ear) system produces false or misleading attitude cues (Correct answer)
Magnetic interference distorts spatial awareness
Aircraft controls become less responsive in IMC
Vision becomes the dominant and accurate sense in darkness

Correct answer: The vestibular (inner ear) system produces false or misleading attitude cues

The vestibular system is easily deceived by sustained turns and accelerations, producing false sensations of level flight, which is why instrument reliance is critical in IMC.

Question 33: A turn coordinator showing the miniature aircraft symbol banked to the right indicates the aircraft is:

Climbing
In a right turn (Correct answer)
In a left turn
Descending

Correct answer: In a right turn

The turn coordinator's miniature aircraft symbol banks in the same direction as the actual turn, so banking right indicates the aircraft is turning right.

Question 34: In a scenario involving the Two-Dimensional Tracking test, the target aircraft is moving towards the upper-right corner of the screen. What is the correct joystick input to keep the gunsight centered on the target?

Pull the joystick back and to the right.
Pull the joystick back and to the left.
Push the joystick forward and to the left.
Push the joystick forward and to the right. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Push the joystick forward and to the right.

Standard joystick controls in this context are intuitive. To move the gunsight up, you push the joystick forward. To move the gunsight to the right, you move the joystick to the right. Therefore, to track a target moving to the upper-right, the candidate must push the joystick forward and to the right.

Question 35: A UAV is currently oriented on a heading of 270° (West). From the pilot's point of view, where is the Northern target located?

To the left
Directly ahead
Behind
To the right (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To the right

The UAV is heading West (270°). North (360°/0°) is 90 degrees clockwise, or to the right, of West. Therefore, from the pilot's perspective, the Northern target is to the right.

Question 36: If the target moves up and to the left on the display, what should the pilot do?

Apply right aileron and pull the stick back
Apply left aileron and push the stick forward
Apply right aileron and push the stick forward
Apply left aileron and pull the stick back (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Apply left aileron and pull the stick back

If the target moves up and to the left, the pilot needs to move the aircraft symbol up and to the left to re-center it. To move up, the pilot pulls the stick back (elevator input). To move left, the pilot applies left aileron (roll input). Therefore, applying left aileron and pulling the stick back is the correct combined action.

Question 37: You are piloting a UAV on a direct Southerly heading (180°). A request comes in to identify the target to your left. Which cardinal direction is to the UAV's left?

West
North
South
East (Correct answer)

Correct answer: East

When heading South (180°), the UAV's nose is pointing down on a standard map. A 90-degree turn to the left from a Southerly heading will point you towards East (180° - 90° = 090°). Therefore, the target to your left is East.

Question 38: A candidate's ability to use predictive control (i.e., anticipating a target's future position) is a valuable psychomotor skill. How does the TBAS's integrated multitasking design specifically challenge this ability?

The test instructions explicitly penalize any movements that are not purely reactive.
The control inputs are intentionally delayed to make prediction impossible.
The targets move in completely random patterns that defy any prediction.
The auditory task diverts the cognitive resources required for higher-order prediction. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The auditory task diverts the cognitive resources required for higher-order prediction.

Predictive control requires more mental processing power than simple reactive control. The cognitive load imposed by the simultaneous auditory task and a second tracking task consumes the mental bandwidth that would otherwise be used for anticipating the target's path. This forces the candidate into a more reactive mode, thus testing their performance when higher-order strategies are difficult to implement.

Question 39: What feedback mechanism is essential for a pilot to perform well in the Horizontal Tracking Test?

Visual feedback from the display (Correct answer)
Tactile feedback from the control stick
Audio cues from the aircraft
Verbal instructions from the instructor

Correct answer: Visual feedback from the display

Visual feedback from the display is essential for performing well in the Horizontal Tracking Test. The pilot relies on seeing the target's position relative to the center to make timely and accurate corrective control inputs. Without clear visual information, it would be impossible to track the target effectively.

Question 40: What is the primary control input used to manipulate the tracking box in the Horizontal Tracking Control subtest of the TBAS?

Mouse
Keyboard
Joystick
Rudder Pedals (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Rudder Pedals

The Horizontal Tracking Control subtest specifically requires the use of rudder pedals to move the tracking box left and right, assessing the candidate's foot-eye coordination.

Question 41: What is the primary cognitive challenge introduced in the Combined Tracking Coordination subtest that is not present when its component tasks are performed individually?

Divided attention (Correct answer)
Fine motor precision
Spatial orientation
Auditory acuity

Correct answer: Divided attention

While the individual tasks measure motor skills and auditory processing, the core purpose of combining them is to assess a candidate's ability to divide their attention and effectively manage multiple, unrelated stimuli and tasks at once—a critical skill for pilots.

Question 42: A candidate is performing the Combined Tracking Coordination task. The horizontal target is drifting left, the vertical target is centered, and their pre-briefed target number "7" is announced. What is the most appropriate immediate sequence of actions?

Apply right rudder pedal to correct the horizontal target, then press the trigger.
Move the joystick to re-center the vertical target before making other inputs.
Press the trigger to respond to the auditory cue, then apply right rudder pedal. (Correct answer)
Ignore the auditory cue to maintain focus on the drifting horizontal target.

Correct answer: Press the trigger to respond to the auditory cue, then apply right rudder pedal.

The auditory cues are fleeting, time-sensitive events that must be responded to immediately, or the opportunity is lost. The tracking tasks are continuous and allow for a momentary delay in correction without an immediate failure. Therefore, the highest priority is to respond to the auditory number first, then correct the tracking error.

Question 43: In the Northern Hemisphere, a magnetic compass will do which of the following when turning toward north?

Lag behind the actual heading (Correct answer)
Lead the actual heading
Show the correct heading instantly
Oscillate rapidly back and forth

Correct answer: Lag behind the actual heading

Due to magnetic dip in the Northern Hemisphere, the compass lags when turning toward north, requiring the pilot to stop the turn before the compass reaches the north indication.

Question 44: An aircraft is on a heading of 90° and needs to make a course correction of 270° to the right. What will be its new heading?

270°
0°
360°
180° (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 180°

An aircraft on a heading of 90° (East) making a 270° turn to the left would result in a new heading of 180° (South). This is calculated by subtracting 270° from the initial heading (90° - 270° = -180°), and then adding 360° to normalize the result to 180°. This effectively places the aircraft heading directly opposite to its initial eastward direction.

Question 45: In a complex TBAS scenario, a candidate finds there is a direct trade-off in their performance: when they focus intently on the auditory channel to catch every target number, their tracking accuracy suffers, and vice-versa. This performance trade-off primarily demonstrates the:

existence of separate, non-competing cognitive resources.
static and unchangeable nature of an individual's cognitive capacity.
dynamic allocation of limited cognitive resources between competing tasks. (Correct answer)
inability to develop motor automaticity.

Correct answer: dynamic allocation of limited cognitive resources between competing tasks.

This scenario illustrates the dynamic allocation of attention. As the candidate shifts more cognitive resources to one task (listening), fewer are available for the other (tracking), leading to a performance trade-off. This shows that cognitive task management involves a constant, fluid balancing of a limited pool of resources.

Question 46: What feedback mechanism is essential for a pilot to perform well in the Airplane Tracking Test?

Audio cues from the aircraft
Tactile feedback from the control stick
Verbal instructions from the instructor
Visual feedback from the display (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Visual feedback from the display

Visual feedback from the display is essential for a pilot to perform well in the Airplane Tracking Test because it provides real-time information on the aircraft symbol's position relative to the target. This immediate visual input allows the pilot to assess their performance, identify any deviations, and make necessary control adjustments. Without clear visual cues, effective tracking and accurate course correction would be impossible.

Question 47: Which of the following scenarios accurately describes the main objective of the standalone Horizontal Tracking Control test?

Use a joystick to keep a reticle on a target moving in all directions.
Listen for specific numbers while using a mouse to click on a moving box.
Use rudder pedals to keep a box centered over an icon that moves only left and right. (Correct answer)
Simultaneously use a joystick and rudder pedals to track two different targets.

Correct answer: Use rudder pedals to keep a box centered over an icon that moves only left and right.

The core task of the Horizontal Tracking Control subtest is to use rudder pedals to control a box and keep it superimposed on a target moving strictly along a horizontal axis at the bottom of the screen.

Question 48: An aircraft is heading 090 degrees and makes a 90-degree left turn. What is the new heading?

000 degrees (360) (Correct answer)
045 degrees
180 degrees
270 degrees

Correct answer: 000 degrees (360)

Starting at 090 degrees (east) and turning left 90 degrees subtracts 90 degrees, resulting in 000/360 degrees (north).

Question 49: What role does hand-eye coordination play in the Airplane Tracking Test?

It assists in tracking the target accurately (Correct answer)
It increases overall airspeed
It helps maintain proper engine performance
It reduces fuel consumption

Correct answer: It assists in tracking the target accurately

Hand-eye coordination is crucial in the Airplane Tracking Test because it allows a pilot to precisely translate visual information from the display into accurate control inputs. This skill enables the pilot to anticipate and react to the target's movements, making fine adjustments to keep the aircraft symbol aligned. Accurate tracking is directly dependent on this ability to synchronize visual perception with motor responses.

Question 50: What is the most important control input when performing the Horizontal Tracking Test?

Elevator trim
Aileron deflection (Correct answer)
Rudder pedal movement
Throttle adjustment

Correct answer: Aileron deflection

In an aircraft, ailerons are the primary control surfaces used to induce roll, which in turn controls the horizontal (lateral) movement of the aircraft. Therefore, during the Horizontal Tracking Test, aileron deflection is the most important control input for keeping the target centered horizontally. Rudder pedals primarily control yaw, and elevator trim controls pitch.

Question 51: During a multi-tasking portion of the TBAS, a candidate is simultaneously tracking two targets and listening for auditory cues. A target number is announced amidst distracting auditory letters and numbers. What is the most critical skill being assessed in this specific auditory task?

Pitch discrimination
Selective attention (Correct answer)
Auditory memory recall
Sound localization

Correct answer: Selective attention

This task specifically measures a candidate's selective attention, which is the ability to focus on a particular auditory stimulus (the target number) while filtering out other distracting, irrelevant sounds (other letters and numbers). While memory is involved, the primary challenge is first selecting the correct information to attend to.

Question 52: Which piece of equipment is used to provide control inputs for the Two-Dimensional (Airplane) Tracking subtest of the TBAS?

Mouse
Keyboard
Joystick (Correct answer)
Rudder Pedals

Correct answer: Joystick

The Test of Basic Aviation Skills utilizes specific hardware for its subtests. The Two-Dimensional Tracking task, also referred to as the Airplane Tracking test, requires the candidate to use a joystick to control the gunsight.

TBAS Exam

The TBAS is a computerized psychomotor test battery used for U.S. Air Force pilot candidate selection, measuring tracking, multitasking, and spatial orientation skills.

Questions

90 min

Time Limit

50%

To Pass

Checking for saved progress...

Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
Flag questions for review before submitting
No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
Timer auto-submits when time runs out
Your progress is auto-saved every 30 seconds

These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

162wing.ang.af.mil — Eligibility, exam format, passing score · verified Oct 2026
airforce.com — Test delivery, passing score · verified Oct 2026