FAA CLA Knowledge Test — Commercial Pilot Airship

Under 14 CFR § 61.129(h), what is the minimum total flight time requirement in lighter-than-air aircraft for an applicant seeking a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Airship rating?

• A200 hours of flight time in lighter-than-air aircraft, of which at least 50 hours must be…
• B150 hours of flight time in lighter-than-air aircraft, of which at least 25 hours must be…
• C250 hours of flight time in lighter-than-air aircraft, of which at least 100 hours must b…
• D100 hours of flight time in lighter-than-air aircraft, of which at least 40 hours must be…

What class of FAA medical certificate is required for a pilot to exercise commercial pilot privileges as pilot-in-command of an airship carrying passengers for compensation or hire?

• ASecond-class medical certificate valid for 12 calendar months
• BFirst-class medical certificate valid for 6 calendar months
• CThird-class medical certificate valid for 24 calendar months
• DBasicMed qualification with a valid state driver's license

According to 14 CFR § 91.113 right-of-way rules, which of the following aircraft must an airship in flight yield right-of-way to when converging at approximately the same altitude?

• AGliders and balloons
• BSingle-engine airplanes and helicopters
• CMulti-engine turboprop airplanes and powered-lifts
• DSeaplanes and gyroplanes

Under 14 CFR § 61.129(h), how many hours of night flight training in an airship must an applicant for a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Airship rating log?

• A5 hours of night flight in an airship, including 10 takeoffs and 10 landings
• B3 hours of night flight in an airship, including 5 takeoffs and 5 landings
• C10 hours of night flight in an airship, including 15 takeoffs and 15 landings
• D2 hours of night flight in an airship with no specified takeoff or landing requirements

What instrument flight training requirement is specified in 14 CFR § 61.129(h) for a Commercial Pilot Airship candidate?

• A15 hours of instrument flight training, of which at least 5 hours must be in an airship
• B10 hours of instrument flight training, all of which must be in an airship
• C20 hours of instrument flight training, of which at least 10 hours must be in an airship
• D5 hours of instrument flight training in a flight simulator only

Under 14 CFR § 91.119(b), what is the minimum altitude prescribed for an airship operating over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement?

• A1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet from the a…
• B500 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 1,000 feet from the air…
• C1,500 feet above the surface within a horizontal radius of 5,000 feet from the airship
• DAn altitude allowing a safe landing without engine power, but not less than 800 feet AGL

When operating an airship over non-congested areas under 14 CFR § 91.119(c), what minimum safe altitude rule applies over open water or sparsely populated areas?

• AThe airship may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or s…
• BThe airship must maintain at least 1,000 feet AGL at all times
• CThe airship must maintain at least 300 feet MSL regardless of surrounding terrain
• DNo altitude restrictions apply over open water provided an emergency inflation jacket is…

Under 14 CFR § 91.209, what position and masthead lights are required on an airship operating between sunset and sunrise?

• ARed light on port side, green on starboard side, white tail light, plus a white masthead…
• BRed light on starboard side, green on port side, flashing amber tail light, and dual whit…
• CWhite lights on both bow and stern, plus a steady red overhead strobe light
• DGreen light on port side, red on starboard side, and a flashing white nose light

To act as pilot-in-command of an airship, a commercial pilot must have accomplished a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months under 14 CFR § 61.56, unless the pilot has completed which of the following?

• APassed a pilot proficiency check or practical test for a certificate, rating, or operatin…
• BLogged at least 100 hours of PIC flight time in an airship within the last 12 months
• CCompleted a written self-study exam on airship aerostatics
• DPerformed 3 full-stop landings at an airfield with a control tower

Which requirement applies to a commercial airship pilot carrying passengers for compensation or hire on a flight from Airport A to Airport B located 60 NM away at night, if the pilot does not hold an instrument rating (airship)?

• AThe flight is prohibited because carrying passengers for hire on cross-country flights ex…
• BThe flight is allowed provided a VFR flight plan is filed with Flight Service
• CThe flight is allowed provided the airship remains below 2,000 feet AGL
• DThe flight is allowed provided the pilot holds a valid third-class medical certificate

Under 14 CFR § 61.31, what category and class rating must be listed on a pilot certificate to act as pilot-in-command of an airship?

• ALighter-Than-Air Category, Airship Class
• BLighter-Than-Air Category, Free Balloon Class
• CPowered-Lift Category, Airship Class
• DRotorcraft Category, Airship Class

Under 14 CFR § 91.155, what are the basic VFR weather minimums for an airship operating in controlled Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL?

• A3 statute miles visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal f…
• B1 statute mile visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal fr…
• C5 statute miles visibility; 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 1 statute mile horizo…
• D3 statute miles visibility; clear of clouds

What is the Special VFR weather minimum for an airship operating within a Class D surface area under 14 CFR § 91.157?

• A1 statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles flight visibility and 500 feet below clouds
• C2 statute miles flight visibility and clear of clouds
• D1/2 statute mile flight visibility and 300 feet cloud ceiling

Under 14 CFR § 91.409(b), when is a 100-hour inspection required for an airship?

• AWhen the airship is operated for compensation or hire or used to give flight instruction…
• BWhenever the airship is operated at night or under IFR
• COnly when the airship carries more than 10 passengers
• DEvery 100 hours of engine time regardless of whether the flight is for compensation or hi…

Who is authorized under 14 CFR Part 65 to perform and approve an Annual Inspection on an airship for return to service?

• AAn Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic holding an Inspection Authorization (IA)
• BAny certificated Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic without an IA
• CA certificated Commercial Airship Pilot
• DAn FAA Repairman holding a Light-Sport repairman certificate

What are the supplemental oxygen requirements under 14 CFR § 91.211 for required flight crewmembers during non-pressurized airship flight?

• ACrew must use oxygen for that part of the flight at cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500…
• BCrew must use oxygen continuously at all times above 10,000 feet MSL
• CCrew must use oxygen above 12,000 feet MSL for any duration exceeding 15 minutes
• DCrew must use oxygen only when flying above 18,000 feet MSL

Under 14 CFR § 91.211(a)(3), at what cabin pressure altitude must all occupants of an airship be provided with supplemental oxygen?

• AAbove 15,000 feet MSL
• BAbove 14,000 feet MSL
• CAbove 12,500 feet MSL
• DAbove 18,000 feet MSL

According to 14 CFR § 91.151(a)(2), what is the minimum fuel reserve required for an airship operating under VFR during daytime?

• AFly to the first point of intended landing and then fly for at least 30 minutes at normal…
• BFly to the destination and then fly for at least 45 minutes at cruising speed
• CFly to the destination, then to an alternate airport, plus 30 minutes reserve
• DFly for at least 2 hours beyond the intended point of landing

Under 14 CFR § 91.403(a), who holds primary responsibility for maintaining an airship in an airworthy condition?

• AThe owner or operator of the airship
• BThe pilot-in-command on each individual flight
• CThe A&P mechanic who performed the last inspection
• DThe FAA principal maintenance inspector assigned to the airship

Under 14 CFR § 91.103, preflight action for a commercial airship flight not in the vicinity of an airport must include which specific items?

• AWeather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available, and static heav…
• BFiling an IFR flight plan and obtaining ATC radar vector clearance
• CPerforming a full envelope inflation pressure leak check using helium mass spectrometer
• DCompleting a 100-hour maintenance inspection log entry

According to NTSB Part 830, which of the following events involving an airship requires immediate notification to the National Transportation Safety Board?

• AFlight control system malfunction or failure
• BHelium purity dropping below 95% during cruise flight
• CA flat landing gear tire encountered during taxi
• DDelay of flight departure exceeding 2 hours due to ground winds

Under 14 CFR Part 1, how is a 'commercial operator' defined in civil aviation?

• AA person who, for compensation or hire, engages in the carriage by aircraft in air commer…
• BAny pilot holding a Commercial Pilot Certificate regardless of flight operations
• CAn aircraft manufacturer certified to build airships under Part 21
• DA flight school operating exclusively under 14 CFR Part 141

What is the consequence under 49 U.S.C. § 44709 if a certificated commercial airship pilot fails to comply with a re-examination requested by the FAA Administrator?

• AThe FAA Administrator may issue an order suspending or revoking the pilot's certificate
• BThe pilot is fined $500 per day until re-examination is scheduled
• CThe pilot's certificate is downgraded to a Private Pilot certificate automatically
• DNo action can be taken unless an accident occurs

Under 14 CFR § 61.60, within how many days must a commercial pilot notify the FAA Airman Certification Branch after a change in permanent mailing address?

• A30 days
• B60 days
• C14 days
• D90 days

Under 14 CFR § 61.51, when may a commercial pilot log pilot-in-command (PIC) flight time in an airship?

• AWhen the pilot is the sole manipulator of the controls of an airship for which the pilot…
• BOnly when performing revenue commercial passenger operations
• COnly when flying in IMC under an ATC instrument clearance
• DWhenever acting as ground mast winch operator during masting operations

What recent flight experience is required under 14 CFR § 61.57(a) to carry passengers in an airship?

• A3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop within the preceding 90 days in an airship
• B5 takeoffs and 5 landings within the preceding 60 days in any lighter-than-air aircraft
• C3 hours of flight time in an airship within the preceding 30 days
• D10 hours of PIC flight time in an airship within the preceding 6 months

Under 14 CFR § 91.111, operating an airship in formation flight with another aircraft is allowed only under what condition?

• ABy prior arrangement with the pilot-in-command of each aircraft in the formation
• BWith explicit written authorization from the FAA Regional Administrator
• CProvided carrying non-paying passengers only
• DOnly in Class G uncontrolled airspace below 1,000 feet AGL

What is the maximum indicated airspeed permitted under 14 CFR § 91.117(a) when operating an airship below 10,000 feet MSL?

• A250 knots
• B200 knots
• C150 knots
• D100 knots

According to 14 CFR § 91.121, what altimeter setting procedure must be followed when operating an airship at altitudes below 18,000 feet MSL?

• ASet altimeter to the current reported altimeter setting of a station along the route with…
• BSet altimeter to standard 29.92 inHg regardless of ambient pressure
• CSet altimeter to zero prior to takeoff and leave unadjusted
• DSet altimeter to airport field elevation only at departure and do not reset during cross-…

Under 14 CFR § 91.3, who is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of an airship?

• AThe pilot-in-command
• BThe chief ground crew handler
• CThe air traffic controller on duty
• DThe flight operations dispatcher

A non-rigid airship envelope has a total volume of 200,000 cubic feet of 99% pure helium. At standard sea-level atmospheric conditions (15°C, 29.92 inHg), pure helium provides approximately 0.062 pounds of gross buoyant lift per cubic foot. What is the total gross buoyant lift generated by the envelope?

• A12,400 lbs
• B15,300 lbs
• C10,200 lbs
• D14,800 lbs

An airship has a gross buoyant lift of 14,000 lbs. Preflight load calculations determine the total gross weight (airframe + fuel + payload + crew + ballast) is 15,200 lbs. What is the airship's static condition?

• A1,200 lbs statically heavy
• B1,200 lbs statically light
• CIn neutral static equilibrium
• D29,200 lbs statically heavy

An airship envelope contains 180,000 cubic feet of helium with a standard sea-level gross buoyant lift of 11,160 lbs at an ambient temperature of 60°F (520°R). Direct solar radiation creates a positive superheat of +15°F (helium temperature is 75°F). Using the rule of thumb that buoyant lift changes by approximately 1% for every 5°F of superheat, what is the gain in static buoyant lift?

• A335 lbs (3% gain)
• B558 lbs (5% gain)
• C112 lbs (1% gain)
• D670 lbs (6% gain)

At sea level, an airship's air ballonets occupy exactly 20% of the total envelope volume. Assuming standard atmosphere conditions where helium expands volume by approximately 3.3% per 1,000 feet of altitude increase, at approximately what altitude will the airship reach its pressure height (where ballonets are fully deflated)?

• A6,000 feet MSL
• B3,500 feet MSL
• C10,000 feet MSL
• D12,000 feet MSL

What is the technical definition of 'superheat' in airship aerostatics?

• AThe temperature difference between the lifting gas inside the envelope and the surroundin…
• BThe rise in engine exhaust temperature during maximum vectorable thrust
• CThe thermal friction generated along the outer envelope fabric at high flight airspeeds
• DThe difference between ambient air temperature at sea level and pressure height

A 100,000 cubic foot airship envelope experiences air contamination that reduces helium purity from 99% (lift rate 0.065 lbs/cu ft) to 94% (lift rate 0.061 lbs/cu ft). What is the total reduction in gross buoyant lift?

• A400 lbs
• B800 lbs
• C1,200 lbs
• D200 lbs

What is the primary effect of positive superheat on airship static equilibrium during daytime ground operations?

• AHelium expands and decreases in density, causing the airship to become statically lighter
• BHelium contracts and increases in density, causing the airship to become statically heavy
• CInternal envelope pressure drops dramatically, requiring automatic helium venting
• DBallonets fill completely with air to equalize internal temperature

An airship flies out of intense direct sunlight into a thick overcast cloud layer. What aerostatic change should the pilot anticipate?

• ALoss of positive superheat as internal helium cools, causing a loss of static lift and ma…
• BRapid increase in positive superheat causing an uncontrollable climb
• CInstantaneous expansion of ballonets causing overpressure relief valves to open
• DIncrease in helium purity due to cloud moisture condensation

An airship is preflighted at 850 lbs statically heavy. The maximum upward vectorable thrust available from the engines is 500 lbs. How much water ballast must be dumped prior to takeoff to ensure the static heaviness does not exceed vectorable thrust capacity?

• AAt least 350 lbs of water ballast
• BAt least 850 lbs of water ballast
• CAt least 500 lbs of water ballast
• DNo ballast needs to be dumped if full forward elevator is applied

How is aerodynamic lift generated by a non-rigid airship hull during flight?

• ABy driving the inclined hull forward through the air at a positive angle of attack under…
• BBy heating air inside the ballonets using engine heat exchangers
• CBy spinning vectorable propellers at high RPM while stationary on the ground
• DBy venting helium from the forward envelope valve during horizontal flight

What is the primary function of vectorable thrusters (swiveling propellers) on a modern commercial airship?

• ATo provide vertical and inclined thrust components for takeoff, landing, hovering, and as…
• BTo pressurize air inside the forward and aft ballonets directly
• CTo rotate the airship hull around its longitudinal axis for aerobatic maneuvering
• DTo generate electrostatic charges that stabilize envelope fabric

Why do airships exhibit greater control lag and inertia in pitch and yaw compared to fixed-wing aircraft of similar weight?

• ADue to the huge 'apparent mass' (virtual mass) of the displaced air surrounding the large…
• BBecause helium has higher mass density than atmospheric nitrogen
• CBecause control surfaces are cable-operated without hydraulic boost
• DDue to aerodynamic drag created by internal catenary curtains

What operational hazard occurs if an airship becomes excessively statically light on the ground without ground crew restraint or ballast?

• AUncontrolled vertical ascent, potential exceedance of pressure height, and risk of envelo…
• BImmediate nose-down pitch rollover due to ballonet air collapse
• CLoss of engine fuel suction due to positive G loading
• DHelium condensation into liquid form due to ambient expansion

During a 4-hour commercial flight, an airship burns 80 gallons of aviation gasoline (weighing 6.0 lbs/gallon). If no helium is vented and no ballast is taken on, how does this fuel burn affect the airship's static balance by the end of the flight?

• AThe airship becomes 480 lbs statically lighter
• BThe airship becomes 480 lbs statically heavier
• CThe airship's static balance remains unchanged because envelope volume is constant
• DThe airship becomes 240 lbs statically lighter

What is the 'equilibrium altitude' (or static ceiling) of an airship?

• AThe altitude at which the gross buoyant lift of the expanded helium exactly equals the to…
• BThe altitude at which engine horsepower drops to 50% of rated sea-level power
• CThe minimum safe altitude prescribed by 14 CFR § 91.119 over mountainous terrain
• DThe altitude at which aerodynamic drag equals engine maximum forward thrust

How does transferring air from the forward ballonet to the aft ballonet affect the pitch trim of a non-rigid airship?

• AIt shifts air weight aft, moving the center of gravity aft and trimming the airship pitch…
• BIt shifts air weight forward, trimming the airship pitch nose-down
• CIt increases gross buoyant lift at the bow, pitching the nose down
• DIt causes immediate deflation of both ballonets

Which physical law forms the fundamental scientific basis for aerostatic lift in airships?

• AArchimedes' Principle
• BBernoulli's Principle
• CNewton's Third Law of Motion
• DBoyle's Law of Compression

What is the ideal hull 'fineness ratio' (ratio of envelope length to maximum diameter) for most non-rigid commercial airships to minimize total aerodynamic drag?

• ABetween 4:1 and 6:1
• BBetween 1:1 and 2:1
• CBetween 10:1 and 12:1
• DBetween 15:1 and 20:1