NAME:

SIGNATURE:
CLIENT NUMBER:
DATE:
LICENCE TYPE -

Private Pilot Licence

SUBJECT -

PPL Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane)

Time Allowed:

40 Minutes

Total Questions:

20

Total Marks:

20

Pass Mark:

70%

Items Supplied with Paper:

Examination Answer Sheet (ASL 006)

Candidate To Supply:
Non-electronic Navigation Computer
Writing Equipment

Sample Paper

Code

PTA20 R 3

Page 1 of 9

Private Pilot Licence

PPL Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane)

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES
Candidates are reminded that Civil Aviation Rules (CAR) Part 61.19 and Part 66.15 state:
(a)

(b)

(c)

During any written examination, no person shall:

(1)

copy from another person; or

(2)

refer to any unauthorised source of information; or

(3)

communicate in any way with another person, except the conducting officer; or

(4)

take an examination on behalf of anyone else; or

(5)

remove written or printed material from the examination room.

Any person performing any of the acts specified in paragraph (a) is liable to all or any of
the following:
(1)

failure in that subject.

(2)

disqualification of all or any subjects already passed.

(3)

debarment from sitting further examinations for up to 12 months.

In addition, the performance of that act may result in the suspension or revocation of any
licence or rating issued to that person under this or any other Part of Civil Aviation Rules.

Candidates are advised that this examination is delivered by a Civil Aviation Authority delegation and the
questions cannot be released due to the conditions of the Official Information Act 1982. Also under the
Privacy Act 1993, Section 28 candidates are advised that their examinations will not be released.
Removal of written or printed material from the examination room, or reproduction or copying or disclosure
to any person in any manner any part of the examination paper either during the examination or after the
examination is a breach of ASLs copyright.
I have read and I understand the above information:_____________________________________
(candidates signature)
Aviation Services Limited

Sample Paper

Code

PTA20 R 3

Page 2 of 9

Private Pilot Licence

PPL Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane)

INSTRUCTIONS

1.

Print your name and sign the cover of the answer sheet.

2.

Questions carry equal marks.

3.

ALL questions are to be answered by placing a cross on the answer sheet with
respect to the answer you consider to be correct, as shown below. Only one square
is to be marked.
12
A
B
C

4.

If you wish to change your answer, fill the box in completely and cross another.

5.

Choose the answer which you think best answers the question.

6.

You may provide feedback by writing your comments on the Candidate Examination
Review sheet which is the last page of this paper.

7.

This examination paper, along with all other material, is to be handed to the
Supervisor at the conclusion of the examination.

Sample Paper

Code

PTA20 R 3

Page 3 of 9

Private Pilot Licence

PPL Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane)

Mark
1

At an aerodrome situated at 1,800ft above mean sea level the take-off distance required for an aircraft
compared with sea level will be:
A

greater because of the lower engine output due to the lower air density, and the need to
accelerate to a higher TAS to achieve take-off IAS.

less because of the higher engine output due to richer mixture at altitude.

greater because a lower true airspeed is required to produce the necessary lift.

greater because the indicated airspeed required to produce the necessary lift is higher.

An aeroplane is on approach for landing and all final checks, including the lowering of flaps, have been
completed. If the pilot found it necessary to conduct an overshoot from 50ft above the aerodrome, the
flaps should be fully retracted:
A

as soon as possible to build up flying speed.

as soon as power is applied.

at the specified maximum flap speed.

in stages as soon as full power has been applied whilst accelerating to the climb speed.

If an aeroplane is flying at 2,000ft with the manual mixture control correctly leaned off, then climbs to
7,000ft with no adjustment being made to the mixture control, the:
A

power available will decrease due to the richer mixture.

engine will overheat due to the leaner mixture.

full throttle height will be increased.

engine will run cooler due to the richer mixture.

A four seat aeroplane which contains only the pilot has a basic stalling speed of 48 knots IAS. Which
of the following conditions will cause an increase in stalling speed?
A

Lowering 30 degrees flap.

Adding two passengers.

Climbing steadily on full power.

Operating at an aerodrome 5,000 feet above sea level.

Sample Paper

Code

PTA20 R 3

Page 4 of 9

Private Pilot Licence

PPL Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane)

An aircraft is performing a level 60 degree banked turn, the stalling speed compared with the straight
and level stalling speed is:
A

40% higher than the basic stalling speed.

approximately twice the stalling speed.

two and one half times the basic stalling speed.

the same, provided full power is used.

For the given weight, with flaps up and power off and in straight and level flight, the indicated airspeed
at which the aeroplane will stall in still air will:
A

decrease as altitude is increased.

decrease with decrease in temperature.

remain the same for all conditions of altitude and temperature.

increase by 1.75% for 1,000ft increase in altitude.

If you are warned of a possible wind gradient on final approach you would:
A

reduce the airspeed by 10 knots to avoid excessive "float".

increase the airspeed by 10 knots (or as judged to be appropriate) to give more control of
the approach angle, if descent should increase near the ground.

make no change to your approach technique because wind gradient does not affect the
approach and landing.

adopt the short-landing technique with low speed and power setting.

A certain aeroplane has a best rate of climb speed of 65 knots on full power. If the aeroplane is
climbed at 50 knots on full power:
A

the rate of climb will be higher.

the nose attitude will be higher, but the rate of climb considerably reduced.

greater form drag will result.

the stalling speed will be higher.

Sample Paper

Code

PTA20 R 3

Page 5 of 9

Private Pilot Licence

PPL Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane)

10

An aircraft which is performing a Rate 1 turn will turn through 180 in:
A

one minute.

two minutes.

three minutes.

thirty seconds.

The static vent on your aircraft provides static pressure for flight instruments.

Which selection below contains only those instruments which are connected to the static vent?

11

12

Airspeed Indicator, Turn and Slip Indicator, Altimeter.

Airspeed Indicator, Turn and Slip Indicator, Vertical Speed Indicator.

Altimeter, Airspeed Indicator, Vertical Speed Indicator.

Turn and Slip Indicator, Vacuum Gauge, Airspeed Indicator.

If you are in an aeroplane flying at 7,500ft in approximately standard pressure and temperature, you
would expect the True Airspeed to be:
A

lower than the indicated airspeed.

if instrument error is ignored, the same as the indicated airspeed.

higher than the indicated airspeed.

similar to the True Airspeed at Mean Sea Level.

The recommended fuel grade for your aircraft is 100/130. Persistent use of a lower grade fuel could
cause:
A

low engine temperature and carburettor icing.

high engine temperatures and excessive engine wear.

rough running due to rich mixture.

no harm, provided the mixture control is adjusted to give a richer mixture.

Sample Paper

Code

PTA20 R 3

Page 6 of 9

Private Pilot Licence

PPL Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane)

13

14

15

16

Whilst an aeroplane is making an approach for landing at a constant power setting, the flaps are fully
lowered. One effect of lowering the flaps on the aeroplane would be that the:
A

aeroplane will have greater lateral stability.

lift/drag ratio is improved.

approach path will be steepened.

minimum airspeed for level flight is increased.

As the angle of attack of an aerofoil increases from 0 to 10,:

A

the total reaction increases and the centre of pressure moves forward.

the total reaction decreases and the centre of pressure moves rearwards.

the total reaction increases and the centre of pressure remains constant.

the total reaction decreases and the centre of pressure remains constant.

The pilot's notes for your aeroplane recommend the setting of 15 of flaps for take-off. Attempting to
take-off with 0 of flaps would result in:
A

increased acceleration and a shorter take-off distance.

increased acceleration and a longer take-off distance.

decreased acceleration and a shorter take-off distance.

decreased acceleration and a longer take-off distance.

If you are experiencing carburettor icing conditions the use of full hot air may cause a further but
temporary reduction in power before the ice begins to clear.

This temporary reduction in power is primarily due to the hot air:

A

control acting like a "choke" and resulting in neat fuel being injected into the cylinders.

causing a severe weakening of the mixture.

increasing the density of the air entering the cylinder.

reducing the density of the air passing through the carburettor

Sample Paper

Code

PTA20 R 3

Page 7 of 9

Private Pilot Licence

PPL Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane)

17

18

19

20

One purpose of an impulse coupling, when fitted to an aircraft magneto, is to:

A

increase the temperature of the mixture when starting.

retard the ignition timing for starting only.

advance the spark timing for starting only.

protect the distributor from damage.

During a prolonged climb you notice that the engine is showing signs of overheating. To decrease the
engine temperature you should:
A

increase engine power and speed to provide a greater cooling effect from increased airflow.

decrease power and lean out mixture to provide a greater cooling effect from increased
airflow.

decrease power and increase speed to provide a greater cooling effect from increased
airflow.

increase manifold pressure to decrease engine heat caused by friction.

The pre-flight inspection on an aeroplane should include a check on the fuel by taking a sample from
the fuel strainer:
A

in a clear glass container and checking for a layer of water lying on top of the fuel.

in a container and checking that the water contamination has not discoloured the fuel.

in a clear glass container and checking for globules of water on the bottom on the
container.

only if the aeroplane has been refuelled from drums in the field.

In using an airfield it is usual to take-off as near as possible into wind because this:
A

gives a higher ground speed than any other take-off direction.

ensures the shortest take-off run and the best angle of climb.

gives the best rate of climb.

ensures a higher airspeed at take-off.

Sample Paper

Code

PTA20 R 3

Page 8 of 9

Private Pilot Licence

PPL Technical Knowledge (Aeroplane)

EXAMINATION REVIEW
INSTRUCTIONS
Please feel free to comment on this examination and/or sitting.
Please write clearly.
If necessary an additional 5 minutes will be made available to complete this form.
Comments made on this sheet will not adversely affect your examination result.

Examination Paper Comments

Question
Number

(Continue over page if more room is needed)

OFFICIAL
ACTION
TAKEN

Examination Delivery/Sitting Comments

Please tick the appropriate boxes. Where you tick NO please comment in the space below.
Yes

ASL Head Office Staff helpful

Venue location easy to find
Examination venue quiet
Examination venue and furniture acceptable
Correct reading time given

No

Yes
Exam booking for time and date as requested
Acceptance notification clear and accurate
Exam supervised in professional manner
All ASL exam material available and in order
Examination start time clearly advised

No

Comments:

All comments are considered as part of our ongoing improvement programme. Thank you for your feedback

Sample Paper

Code

PTA20 R 3

Page 9 of 9