FAA SPI Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Glider

Under 14 CFR § 61.23, what medical qualification is required for a pilot to exercise the privileges of a Sport Pilot Certificate in a glider?

• ANo medical certificate and no driver's license are required, although § 61.53 still bars…
• BA Third-Class FAA medical certificate issued within the preceding 60 calendar months
• CA Second-Class FAA medical certificate issued within the preceding 24 calendar months
• DA valid U.S. driver's license

According to 14 CFR § 61.305, what is the minimum age required for an applicant to be eligible for a Sport Pilot Certificate with a glider rating?

• A16 years of age
• B14 years of age
• C17 years of age
• D18 years of age

Under 14 CFR § 61.315, a pilot holding a Sport Pilot Certificate with a glider rating is restricted from carrying more than how many passengers?

• AOne passenger
• BTwo passengers
• CThree passengers
• DZero passengers (solo flight only)

Which operating restriction applies to a sport pilot flying a glider under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J unless specifically endorsed by an authorized instructor under § 61.325?

• AOperating in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace
• BFlying above 3,000 feet MSL
• CConducting flights further than 10 nautical miles from the departure airport
• DPerforming aerotow launches

Under 14 CFR § 91.113(d), which aircraft category has the right-of-way over all other engine-driven aircraft in flight?

• AGlider
• BAirship
• CHelicopter
• DSingle-engine airplane

When two gliders are approaching each other head-on or nearly so at the same altitude, what action must each pilot take under 14 CFR § 91.113(e)?

• ABoth pilots shall alter course to the right
• BThe glider at the higher altitude must climb while the lower glider descends
• CBoth pilots shall alter course to the left
• DThe glider on the right has right-of-way and maintains course while the left glider turns…

Under 14 CFR § 91.309(a)(3)(i), what is the requirement regarding the breaking strength of a safety link installed at the glider end of a towline during aerotow operations?

• ANot less than 80 percent of the glider's maximum certificated operating weight and not mo…
• BExactly equal to 100 percent of the glider's maximum certificated operating weight
• CNot less than 50 percent and not more than 120 percent of the towplane's maximum takeoff…
• DNot less than 150 percent and not more than 300 percent of the empty weight of the glider

Under 14 CFR § 91.211(a)(1), at what cabin pressure altitude must the required minimum flight crew be provided with and use supplemental oxygen during flight in a glider?

• AAt cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet MSL up to and including 14,000 feet MSL for…
• BAt all times when operating above 10,000 feet MSL
• COnly when operating above 18,000 feet MSL in Class A airspace
• DAt cabin pressure altitudes above 14,000 feet MSL for more than 45 minutes duration

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

• A3 statute miles flight visibility; cloud clearance: 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,0…
• B1 statute mile flight visibility; clear of clouds
• C5 statute miles flight visibility; cloud clearance: 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 1…
• D3 statute miles flight visibility; clear of clouds

What is the VFR flight visibility and cloud clearance requirement for a glider operating in Class G airspace during daylight hours at an altitude of 800 feet AGL?

• A1 statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles flight visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal
• C3 statute miles flight visibility and clear of clouds
• D5 statute miles flight visibility; 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 1 statute mile hor…

Under 14 CFR § 91.307(c), no pilot carrying any passenger may execute an intentional aerobatic maneuver in a glider unless each occupant is equipped with an approved parachute. Which bank angle threshold triggers this requirement?

• AA bank angle exceeding 60 degrees relative to the horizon
• BA bank angle exceeding 45 degrees relative to the horizon
• CA bank angle exceeding 30 degrees relative to the horizon
• DA bank angle exceeding 90 degrees relative to the horizon

Are unpowered gliders required to be equipped with an ADS-B Out system when operating within the Mode C Veil of a Class B airport under 14 CFR § 91.225?

• ANo, aircraft that were not originally certificated with an engine-driven electrical syste…
• BYes, all aircraft operating within 30 nautical miles of a Class B primary airport must ha…
• CNo, but gliders may only enter the Mode C Veil if conducting an officially sanctioned soa…
• DYes, unless the glider receives an ATC clearance waiver at least 24 hours prior to takeoff

To maintain currency to carry a passenger as a sport pilot in a glider under 14 CFR § 61.57, what flight experience must the pilot log within the preceding 90 days?

• AAt least 3 takeoffs and landings as sole manipulator of the controls of a glider
• BAt least 5 takeoffs and landings in any aircraft category
• CAt least 1 hour of dual flight instruction in a glider
• DAt least 3 hours of soaring time including 1 aerotow launch

Under 14 CFR § 61.56, what is the flight review requirement for a pilot exercising sport pilot privileges in a glider?

• AA flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months consisting of a minimum of 1 hour…
• BA flight review within the preceding 12 calendar months consisting of 3 dual aerotow flig…
• CA flight review every 36 calendar months conducted by an FAA inspector
• DNo flight review is required for glider pilots who log at least 10 solo flights per year

Under 14 CFR § 91.119, what minimum safe altitude rule applies to a glider when landing or taking off?

• AThe general minimum safe altitude rules do not apply to gliders when necessary for takeof…
• BGliders must maintain at least 500 feet AGL at all times during takeoff and landing
• CGliders must maintain at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet ho…
• DGliders may only land at certificated public airports under tow supervision

Under 14 CFR § 91.309(a)(5), what agreement must be reached between the pilot in command of the towplane and the pilot in command of the glider prior to takeoff?

• AAn agreement on takeoff, release signals, and emergency procedures to be used during the…
• BA written contract signed by both pilots filed with the local FSDO
• CAn agreement specifying the exact release altitude and GPS coordinates of release
• DAn agreement that the towplane pilot retains sole responsibility for glider navigation

What must a sport pilot obtain under 14 CFR § 61.329 before acting as pilot in command of a glider at night?

• AAn instructor's night endorsement after 3 hours of night flight training in that category…
• BNothing; a sport pilot is prohibited from acting as pilot in command at night in any airc…
• CA second-class medical certificate and an instrument rating
• DA night cross-country endorsement issued by the FAA Safety Team

Under 14 CFR § 91.121, what altimeter setting must a pilot set when flying a glider below 18,000 feet MSL?

• AThe current reported altimeter setting of a station along the route within 100 nautical m…
• BStandard altimeter setting of 29.92 inches of mercury at all times
• CZero feet MSL regardless of field elevation
• DDensity altitude corrected pressure setting provided by UNICOM

Under 14 CFR § 91.113(g), if a glider and a powered airplane are both approaching an airport for the purpose of landing, which aircraft has the right-of-way?

• AThe glider has right-of-way, but shall not take advantage of this rule to force an aircra…
• BThe powered airplane always has right-of-way because it cannot soar or extend its glide p…
• CThe aircraft at the higher altitude has right-of-way over the aircraft at the lower altit…
• DThe aircraft that first established radio contact with UNICOM has right-of-way

According to 14 CFR § 61.317, what must a sport pilot do if their U.S. driver's license is revoked or suspended by the issuing authority?

• AThey may no longer exercise sport pilot privileges using a driver's license as medical qu…
• BThey may continue flying gliders since medical certificates are optional for gliders
• CThey must obtain a special issuance driver's waiver from the FAA within 30 days
• DThey may fly only under the supervision of a Certified Flight Instructor

What aerodynamic ratio determines the maximum horizontal distance a glider can cover in still air from a given altitude?

• AMaximum Lift-to-Drag ratio (L/D max)
• BThrust-to-Weight ratio
• CAspect ratio divided by parasite drag coefficient
• DMinimum sink speed ratio

How does the minimum sink speed (Vms) of a glider compare to its best glide speed (Vbg)?

• AMinimum sink speed occurs at a lower airspeed than best glide speed
• BMinimum sink speed occurs at a higher airspeed than best glide speed
• CMinimum sink speed and best glide speed occur at the exact same airspeed
• DMinimum sink speed varies continuously, while best glide speed remains constant at all we…

If a glider has a maximum L/D ratio of 30:1 in calm air, how many nautical miles of horizontal distance can it glide from an altitude of 6,076 feet AGL (1 nautical mile)?

• A30 nautical miles
• B15 nautical miles
• C60 nautical miles
• D3 nautical miles

What effect does adding water ballast have on a glider's performance curves and maximum Lift-to-Drag (L/D) ratio?

• AIt increases both the best glide speed and minimum sink speed, but leaves the maximum L/D…
• BIt increases the maximum L/D ratio while decreasing best glide speed
• CIt decreases the maximum L/D ratio and increases minimum sink speed
• DIt decreases both best glide speed and stall speed

What primary aerodynamic function do airbrakes or spoilers serve when deployed during a glider landing approach?

• AThey increase parasite drag and disrupt wing lift, allowing a steeper descent angle witho…
• BThey lower the stall speed and increase wing lift for short-field landings
• CThey act as trim tabs to adjust pitch attitude during flare
• DThey decrease total drag to allow flat glides into headwinds

An aerodynamic stall in a glider occurs when which flight parameter exceeds its critical value?

• AAngle of attack
• BIndicated airspeed
• CPitch attitude relative to the horizon
• DGross takeoff weight

What two primary aerodynamic conditions are required to enter a spin in a glider?

• AAn aerodynamic stall and uncoordinated yaw
• BHigh airspeed and steep bank angle
• CFull airbrake deployment and low pitch attitude
• DExcessive forward CG and high angle of attack

What standard flight control recovery inputs should be applied to recover a glider from an inadvertent spin?

• AApply full opposite rudder, move the elevator control stick forward to break the stall, t…
• BApply rudder in the direction of the spin and pull back firmly on the control stick
• CDeploy airbrakes fully while holding full in-spin aileron
• DRelease all flight controls and allow the glider to self-recover

How does operating a glider in ground effect within one wingspan of the terrain alter its aerodynamic characteristics during flare and touchdown?

• AInduced drag decreases significantly, causing the glider to float along the runway
• BParasite drag increases, causing a rapid rate of descent
• CStall speed increases dramatically, causing immediate touchdown
• DElevator effectiveness is completely lost due to turbulent surface wash

What is aspect ratio on a glider wing, and how does a high aspect ratio affect aerodynamic efficiency?

• ARatio of wing span to average wing chord; high aspect ratio reduces induced drag and incr…
• BRatio of wing thickness to wing chord; high aspect ratio increases parasite drag
• CRatio of fuselage length to wing area; high aspect ratio increases roll rate
• DRatio of maximum gross weight to wing surface area; high aspect ratio lowers stall speed

During an aerotow launch, what visual signal does the glider pilot send to the towplane pilot to indicate that the glider is unable to release from the towline?

• AYawing the glider back and forth sideways (fishtailing) while remaining in position behin…
• BRocking the glider wings up and down repeatedly
• CMoving from high tow to low tow position three times
• DOpening and closing the airbrakes rapidly

What visual signal given by the towplane pilot indicates to the glider pilot that an immediate release from the towline is required?

• AFishtailing or yawing the towplane side-to-side
• BRocking the towplane wings up and down
• CFlashing the towplane landing lights on and off
• DLowering the towplane flaps completely

What is the primary operational distinction between flying in the 'high tow' position versus the 'low tow' position behind a towplane?

• AHigh tow position places the glider above the towplane wake turbulence, while low tow pos…
• BHigh tow position is below the propwash, while low tow position is inside the propwash
• CHigh tow position requires full airbrake deployment, while low tow uses no airbrakes
• DHigh tow is used exclusively during ground winch launches

If excessive slack develops in the towline during an aerotow flight, what proper pilot action should be taken to eliminate the slack safely?

• AGently turn or yaw the glider slightly away from the towplane toward the side of the slac…
• BPull back abruptly on the control stick to climb above the towplane
• CDeploy airbrakes fully and yank the flight controls
• DRelease the towline immediately regardless of altitude

If an aerotow launch rope breaks or uncommanded release occurs below 200 feet AGL during takeoff, what is the safest immediate action for the glider pilot?

• ALower the nose immediately to maintain safe flying speed and land straight ahead into wind
• BAttempt an immediate 180-degree turn back to touchdown on the departure runway
• CPull back on the control stick to gain altitude before choosing a field
• DDeploy full airbrakes and execute a steep 360-degree spiral turn

During a ground-winch launch, at what approximate towline angle relative to the ground should the pilot initiate release if the cable does not auto-release?

• AApproximately 60 to 70 degrees
• BApproximately 15 to 20 degrees
• CExactly 90 degrees directly overhead the winch
• DApproximately 30 to 40 degrees

If a glider's maximum certificated operating weight is 1,000 pounds, what is the allowable range of breaking strength for the safety link used at the glider end of the towline under 14 CFR § 91.309?

• A800 pounds to 2,000 pounds
• B500 pounds to 1,000 pounds
• C1,000 pounds to 1,500 pounds
• D1,200 pounds to 2,500 pounds

A glider loaded with pilot and baggage has a total weight of 800 lbs and a total moment of 76,000 lb-in. What is the location of the center of gravity (CG)?

• A95.0 inches aft of datum
• B80.0 inches aft of datum
• C105.0 inches aft of datum
• D90.0 inches aft of datum

What flight characteristics result when a glider is loaded such that its Center of Gravity (CG) is located rearward of the maximum aft CG limit?

• ASevere longitudinal pitch instability, decreased stall recovery capability, and potential…
• BExcessive longitudinal stability, heavy nose-up elevator stick forces, and lower cruise s…
• CIncreased stall speed and faster dive recovery times
• DImproved L/D ratio and complete immunity from stall conditions

When selecting an off-field landing site during cross-country soaring, which primary factor should be evaluated first?

• AWind direction and velocity, field length, surface condition/obstacles, and slope
• BProximity to a major highway for glider trailer retrieval
• CDistance to the nearest aviation fuel pump
• DAvailability of local cellular phone coverage

What causes thermal lift currents to form in the lower atmosphere?

• AUnequal solar heating of the Earth's surface warming adjacent air masses, creating buoyan…
• BFrictional drag from high-speed jet stream winds striking surface topography
• CRapid cooling of surface air masses during nighttime inversions
• DOcean tides pushing cold air inland under warm air masses

When entering a thermal while soaring, what technique should a pilot use to center the thermal core effectively?

• AWait 1 to 2 seconds after lift peaks, then steepen the bank angle toward the side of maxi…
• BImmediately pull back hard on the stick and level the wings
• CShallow the turn bank angle when sink increases and steepen when lift decreases
• DMaintain a 60-degree steep bank turn without adjusting heading

What atmospheric condition is necessary for mountain wave lift to form on the leeward side of a mountain ridge?

• AStrong wind (typically 20+ knots) blowing perpendicular to the ridge line, increasing wit…
• BCalm winds and a highly unstable adiabatic atmosphere
• CLight variable surface winds with a low-level moist inversion
• DStrong headwinds blowing parallel along the ridge valley line

What severe flight hazard is located directly beneath the crest of a mountain wave on the leeward side of the ridge?

• AExtreme rotor turbulence with violent updrafts, downdrafts, and severe wind shear
• BSmooth, laminar sinking air free of turbulence
• CMicroburst downdrafts exceeding 100 knots
• DDense fog and freezing rain

Which cloud formation serves as a key visual indicator of active mountain wave soaring conditions aloft?

• AStanding Lenticular clouds (Altocumulus standing lenticularis)
• BCumulonimbus clouds with anvil tops
• CLow Stratus fractus clouds
• DFair-weather Cumulus humilis clouds

When ridge (slope) soaring along a mountain ridge, in which direction must a pilot make all turns when reversing direction near the slope?

• AAll turns must be made AWAY from the ridge into the wind
• BAll turns must be made TOWARD the ridge face to maintain lift
• CTurns may be made in either direction depending on variometer readings
• DTurns must be executed using full airbrake deployment

According to MacCready speed-to-fly principles, how should a glider pilot adjust inter-thermal cruise speed when flying through strong sinking air mass?

• AIncrease cruise airspeed above calm-air best glide speed
• BDecrease cruise airspeed to minimum sink speed
• CMaintain exact calm-air best glide speed regardless of sink
• DDeploy airbrakes to slow down and stay in lift longer

How should a glider pilot adjust cruise airspeed when flying into a strong headwind to achieve maximum glide range relative to the ground?

• AIncrease airspeed above best glide speed by approximately half the headwind component
• BDecrease airspeed below minimum sink speed
• CMaintain best glide speed unchanged
• DIncrease airspeed by double the headwind velocity