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Friday 18th July 2008

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Interactive Quiz #38:
VFR Cross-Country

Most airplanes are designed for traveling from airport to airport, transporting people (and sometimes baggage and packages) from point A to point B. In such cross-country flying, a pilot's goal should be to make each flight safe and efficient and pleasurable, so that every passenger is eager to fly again on a future trip. Irv Siegel's latest interactive quiz is designed to make pilots think about some of the many aspects of a VFR cross-country flight in the United States and how they would handle each of the situations described.

by Irv Siegel

NOTE: The information in this quiz applies to VFR operations in the United States, and is taken from the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations, the FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual, and various FAA Advisory Circulars.

1. Prior to beginning any flight, pilots are required to obtain necessary
a. runway length(s) a airport(s) of intended use.
b. the availability of fuel at the destination airport.
c. weather reports and forecasts.
for a cross-country flight that would NOT be required for a VFR flight
information for that flight. An example of information that would be required
that remained in the vicinity of the airport is

2. The pilot will be flying solo in a multi-engine aircraft, and will depart
a. inadequate to meet the legal requirements for this flight, since the pilot
aircraft within the preceding 90 days.

approximately one hour before sunset, be in the air for three hours, and will
b. inadequate to meet the legal requirements for this flight, since the
c. irrelevant to this flight, since no passengers will be on board.
certificate with both single- and multi-engine land ratings, and an instrument
lacks three takeoffs and landings to a full stop at night in a multi-engine
land about two hours after sunset. The pilot, who holds a private pilot
landings is

multi-engine airplane. This recency of experience regarding takeoffs and
pilot's instrument rating is limited to single-engine privileges only.

preceding 90 days six takeoffs and landings to a full stop at night in a
rating limited to single-engine only, has performed and logged within the
single-engine airplane, and six takeoffs and landings during the daytime in a

3. Although not required for this flight, the pilot has chosen to file a VFR
ATC.

a. it will eventually time out and that will be the end of it.
b. the FSS with whom the flight plan was filed will begin a telephone search
c. the pilot will not be able to obtain radar traffic advisory service from
flight plan. If the pilot fails to activate the flight plan,

in an attempt to determine if the pilot departed on the flight.

4. After having reviewed the forecast wind and weather conditions, and
a. Three hours and 30 minutes
airport

assuming normal cruising speed for this three-hour flight, how much fuel is the
b. Three hours and 30 minutes, plus enough fuel to fly to an alternate
c. Three hours and 45 minutes
d. Three hours and 45 minutes, plus enough fuel to fly to an alternate
pilot required to have on board when the VFR flight begins?

5. Due to hazy weather conditions, the pilot elects not to turn on the
a. is legal until sunset, at which time the pilot must turn on the
aircraft's anti-collision light system. This decision

anti-collision light system, the pilot may choose not to turn it on in the
b. is legal until the end of evening civil twilight, at which time the pilot
c. is legal until one hour after sunset, at which time the pilot must turn on
d. is legal because although the aircraft must be equipped with an operable
e. is not legal.
interest of safety.

must turn on the anti-collision light system in order to remain legal.

the anti-collision light system in order to remain legal.

6. The last time that this aircraft's VOR equipment check was completed was

40 days ago. Please select the correct statement.

a. There is no legal effect on this flight, since VOR equipment checks are
b. This flight must be conducted without reliance on VOR navigation, since
c. VOR navigation may be used until sunset only.
d. VOR navigation may be used only if the pilot has visual contact with the
only required when operating under IFR.

surface.

the VOR equipment check has not been completed within the preceding 30 days.

7. A segment of the planned flight will pass through Class C airspace. Please
a. The pilot must receive an ATC clearance from the ATC facility having
airspace area at an indicated airspeed of more than 200 knots.

b. Each person must establish two-way radio communications with the ATC
c. No person may operate an aircraft in the airspace underlying a Class C
facility providing air traffic services prior to entering that airspace and
jurisdiction for that area before operating an aircraft in that area.

select the correct statement concerning such airspace.

thereafter maintain those communications while within that airspace.

8. A portion of the flight will be over a National Wildlife Refuge. What
a. 1,000 feet
area?

b. 1,500 feet
c. 2,000 feet
d. 2,500 feet
e. 3,000 feet
minimum altitude above the surface are pilots requested to maintain over such an

9. The flight will pass over a mountain ridge. from the downwind side. The
a. 30 degrees
b. 45 degrees
c. 60 degrees
d. 90 degrees
ridge?

the horizontal direction of the ridge should a pilot use when approaching the
winds aloft are strong and downdrafts are a concern. What recommended angle to

10. During the flight another aircraft is encountered at the same altitude
a. tell ATC that another aircraft passed about 600 feet in front of the
airplane, at the same altitude.

b. tell ATC the registration number of the other aircraft.
c. state to ATC, "I wish to report a near midair collision."
d. tell ATC, "That was close!"
e. forget about it, since the maximum distance for a near midair collision
report is 500 feet.

which passes about 600 feet in front of the airplane. If the pilot wants to

11. BONUS QUESTION. While on final approach at the destination
a. a lower than normal approach.
airport, moderate rain is falling. This could lead to the pilot flying

b. a higher than normal approach.
c. an uncoordinated approach.

Interactive Quiz #38: VFR Cross-Country

Interactive Quiz #38:
VFR Cross-Country