FAA SPL Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Lighter-Than-Air (Airship)

Under 14 CFR Part 61.303, what medical qualification is required for a pilot to exercise sport pilot privileges in a light-sport airship?

• AA valid US driver's license (meeting specific conditions) or a current FAA medical certif…
• BA first-class or second-class FAA medical certificate exclusively
• CA Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) issued by the FAA
• DNo medical qualification or driver's license is required for lighter-than-air operations

What is the maximum number of passengers a sport pilot may carry on board a light-sport airship under 14 CFR 61.315?

• AOne passenger
• BTwo passengers
• CThree passengers
• DZero passengers (sport pilots are restricted to solo flight only)

Which parameter in 14 CFR § 61.316 limits the airship a sport pilot may operate?

• AA maximum seating capacity of two persons, since the four-seat allowance in § 61.316(a)(2…
• BA maximum envelope volume of 500,000 cubic feet
• CA maximum speed in level flight of 120 knots CAS
• DA requirement for multi-engine turbine propulsion

Unless specifically authorized by ATC or operating over high terrain, what is the standard altitude ceiling for a sport pilot under 14 CFR 61.315?

• A10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher
• B12,500 feet MSL
• C18,000 feet MSL
• D5,000 feet AGL

Under 14 CFR 61.315, may a sport pilot operate an airship at night?

• AYes, after meeting § 61.329: 3 hours of night flight training in that category and class,…
• BYes, provided the airship is equipped with position lights
• CYes, provided the flight is conducted within 25 NM of the departure airport
• DNo, a sport pilot may never act as pilot in command at night

Which statement is correct regarding flight for compensation or hire by a sport pilot operating an airship under 14 CFR 61.315?

• AA sport pilot may not act as pilot in command of an airship carrying passengers or proper…
• BA sport pilot may carry passengers for hire if operating within 50 NM of home base
• CA sport pilot may receive compensation for flight instruction if they hold a ground instr…
• DA sport pilot may be hired for commercial advertising airship flights provided the passen…

To operate a light-sport airship within Class B, C, or D airspace, what specific requirement must a sport pilot satisfy under 14 CFR 61.325?

• AReceive ground and flight training and obtain a logbook endorsement from an authorized in…
• BHold a Private Pilot Certificate or higher
• CFile an IFR flight plan with ATC prior to entry
• DLog at least 100 hours of cross-country airship time

How long is a student pilot solo flight endorsement valid for operating an airship under 14 CFR 61.87?

• A90 calendar days
• B30 calendar days
• C6 calendar months
• D12 calendar months

According to 14 CFR 61.56, what is required for a certificated sport pilot to continue acting as pilot in command of an airship?

• AAccomplish a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months consisting of at least…
• BLog at least 10 hours of airship flight time every 12 calendar months
• CPass an FAA written knowledge test every 24 calendar months
• DPerform three takeoffs and landings in an airship every 90 days regardless of passenger c…

Under 14 CFR 91.17, what are the restrictions regarding alcohol consumption before operating an airship as a required crewmember?

• ANo alcohol consumption within 8 hours prior to flight and an alcohol concentration of les…
• BNo alcohol consumption within 12 hours prior to flight and an alcohol concentration of 0.…
• CNo alcohol consumption within 24 hours prior to flight and an alcohol concentration of le…
• DNo alcohol consumption within 4 hours prior to flight provided no hangover symptoms remain

Which preflight action is required by 14 CFR 91.103 for any flight of an airship not in the vicinity of an airport?

• AObtaining weather reports, fuel requirements, takeoff and landing distance data, and avai…
• BFiling a VFR flight plan with the nearest FSS and obtaining written clearance from the FAA
• CCalculating pressure height and dumping at least 50 lbs of water ballast
• DNotifying local emergency services and airship ground handling stations along the route

In accordance with 14 CFR 91.113 right-of-way rules, an airship has right-of-way over which of the following aircraft?

• AAn airplane or rotorcraft
• BA free balloon
• CA glider
• DAn aircraft in distress

Under 14 CFR 91.119, what is the minimum safe altitude for an airship over a congested area of a city, town, or settlement?

• A1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the air…
• B500 feet above the surface or no closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or…
• C1,500 feet MSL regardless of terrain or obstacle height
• D2,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 5 miles

Which aircraft does the VFR fuel rule in 14 CFR § 91.151 cover, and what does that mean for an airship pilot?

• AParagraph (a) covers airplanes (30 minutes day, 45 minutes night) and paragraph (b) cover…
• BIt covers every civil aircraft, so an airship must carry a 30-minute day reserve
• CIt covers every civil aircraft, so an airship must carry a 45-minute reserve day or night
• DIt covers only turbine aircraft, so no part 91 fuel planning duty applies to an airship

To maintain airworthiness under 14 CFR 91.409, within what timeframe must an airship undergo an annual inspection?

• AWithin the preceding 12 calendar months
• BEvery 100 hours of flight time
• CEvery 24 calendar months
• DWithin 6 calendar months of envelope inflation

When is a 100-hour inspection required for a light-sport airship under 14 CFR 91.409(b)?

• AWhen the airship is carrying any person (other than a crewmember) for hire or used for fl…
• BFor all airship flights, regardless of commercial or private purpose
• COnly when the airship is operated in Class B airspace
• DWhenever the airship is operated above pressure height

Under 14 CFR 91.211, when must the minimum flight crew of an airship be provided with and use supplemental oxygen?

• ADuring that part of the flight at cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet MSL up to an…
• BAt all times when operating above 10,000 feet MSL
• CWhenever flying above pressure height regardless of altitude
• DAt cabin pressure altitudes above 15,000 feet MSL only

Under 14 CFR 91.215 and 91.225, what transponder and ADS-B Out equipment is required when flying an airship within Class C airspace?

• AAn operable Mode C (or Mode S) transponder and ADS-B Out equipment
• BAn ADS-B In receiver only
• CNo transponder equipment is required for lighter-than-air aircraft
• DA VHF direction-finding radio only

May a sport pilot act as pilot in command of a light-sport airship towing an object or banner under 14 CFR 61.315?

• ANo, towing any object or banner is prohibited for a sport pilot
• BYes, provided the sport pilot holds a commercial rating endorsement
• CYes, if the airship envelope exceeds 100,000 cubic feet
• DYes, provided ATC grants a Special VFR clearance

Which required document must be displayed on board an airship at the cabin or gondola entrance so that it is legible to passengers and crew under 14 CFR 91.203?

• AThe Airworthiness Certificate
• BThe Pilot's Logbook
• CThe Aircraft Engine Logbook
• DThe Airship Flight Instructor Certificate

If a sport pilot already holds a light-sport glider endorsement and seeks to add a light-sport airship rating, what process is required under 14 CFR 61.321?

• AReceive flight and ground training, obtain a logbook endorsement from an authorized instr…
• BTake a new FAA written knowledge test at a PSI testing center and pass a formal checkride…
• CLog 50 hours of solo airship flight time and submit FAA Form 8710-1
• DNo additional training is required since both are lighter-than-air category aircraft

What operational limitation applies to a light-sport airship issued an Experimental Light-Sport Airworthiness Certificate under 14 CFR 91.319?

• AIt may not be operated for compensation or hire, nor used to carry passengers for compens…
• BIt may only be flown over unpopulated areas within 10 NM of its home hangar
• CIt is restricted to a maximum altitude of 500 feet AGL at all times
• DIt cannot be operated in Class E airspace

According to Archimedes' principle, what determines the total aerostatic buoyant force produced by an airship envelope?

• AThe weight of the ambient air displaced by the envelope minus the weight of the lifting g…
• BThe dynamic air pressure acting against the lower surface of the envelope during forward…
• CThe total horsepower generated by the propulsive engines
• DThe ratio of ballonet volume to total envelope volume

What is the difference between gross aerostatic lift and net aerostatic lift in airship operations?

• ANet lift is the gross aerostatic lift minus the empty weight of the airship structure and…
• BGross lift includes aerodynamic lift, while net lift is purely aerostatic
• CNet lift is measured at sea level, while gross lift is measured at pressure height
• DGross lift is the weight of water ballast, while net lift is the weight of helium

Under standard atmospheric conditions (15°C, 29.92 inHg), approximately how much gross aerostatic lift does 1,000 cubic feet of pure helium produce in air?

• A62 to 65 pounds
• B100 to 110 pounds
• C30 to 35 pounds
• D15 to 18 pounds

What does the term 'superheat' mean when describing an airship envelope?

• AThe difference in temperature between the lifting gas inside the envelope and the surroun…
• BThe heat generated by the airship's engines transferred to the cabin
• CThe maximum thermal limit of the envelope fabric before degradation occurs
• DThe increase in exhaust gas temperature during full-throttle climb

How does positive superheat (internal gas warmer than outside air) affect the static lift of an airship prior to reaching pressure height?

• AIt increases static lift because the expanding gas displaces additional air without chang…
• BIt decreases static lift because heated helium becomes heavier
• CIt has no effect on static lift because mass remains constant
• DIt causes immediate contraction of the ballonets until the airship loses buoyancy

What is the primary function of ballonets inside a non-rigid airship envelope?

• ATo compensate for lifting gas expansion and contraction, maintaining constant envelope sh…
• BTo store fuel and liquid water ballast
• CTo provide emergency flotation compartments in the event of a water landing
• DTo cool the helium lifting gas during hot ambient weather

What is the definition of 'pressure height' in airship operations?

• AThe altitude at which the lifting gas has expanded to completely fill the envelope, fully…
• BThe maximum altitude at which the engines can maintain level flight speed
• CThe altitude where ambient air pressure equals 29.92 inHg
• DThe pressure limit where envelope automatic safety relief valves begin to leak due to age

What occurs if an airship continues to climb above its pressure height?

• ALifting gas expands beyond envelope capacity, forcing automatic helium safety valves to o…
• BThe ballonets fill with excess air from external ram scoops
• CThe airship experiences an immediate catastrophic loss of envelope rigidity
• DStatic lift increases rapidly because ambient air becomes denser

During a descent from altitude, how is non-rigid airship envelope pressure maintained as the helium contracts?

• AAir is forced or blown into the ballonets using electric blowers or engine ram-air scoops
• BHelium gas is automatically added from onboard high-pressure storage bottles
• CThe automatic helium valves open to let external air mix into the helium envelope
• DThe pilot pitches the airship down to increase dynamic compression on the nose

What unit of measure is standard for monitoring non-rigid airship internal envelope pressure on cockpit instrumentation?

• AInches of water gauge (in. W.G. or in. H2O)
• BPounds per square inch (PSI)
• CInches of mercury (inHg)
• DMillibars (mb) above atmospheric pressure

What is the typical normal internal envelope pressure operating range for a non-rigid light-sport airship?

• A1.0 to 2.5 inches W.G.
• B10 to 15 inches W.G.
• C5.0 to 10.0 PSI
• D0.1 to 0.3 inches W.G.

What hazard is directly associated with allowing internal envelope pressure to fall below minimum limits in a non-rigid airship?

• ADeformation of the envelope shape, including nose cupping under flight loads, control sur…
• BAutomatic opening of the helium safety relief valves
• CRapid expansion of helium gas leading to uncontrollable climb
• DOver-speeding of the ballonet air supply fans

What is the primary danger of overpressurizing a non-rigid airship envelope?

• AStructural failure of envelope fabric seams or damage to internal ballonet bulkheads
• BExcessive static heaviness during landing
• CInability to restart engines after a glide
• DImmediate freezing of the helium lifting gas

What operational condition leads to 'supercooling' of the lifting gas and how does it affect airship performance?

• ALifting gas cooling below ambient air temperature (e.g., after flying out of direct sunli…
• BLifting gas warming rapidly due to solar radiation, causing unexpected altitude gain
• CAir entering the ballonets at sub-zero temperatures, freezing the gas valves open
• DHigh engine power settings drawing cold air through the gondola heating vents

How does a reduction in helium purity (e.g., air contamination inside the envelope) affect the aerostatic performance of an airship?

• AIt increases lifting gas density, causing a direct reduction in total gross aerostatic li…
• BIt decreases lifting gas density, increasing gross lift
• CIt lowers the pressure height by 50%
• DIt prevents the automatic gas valves from opening

An airship envelope contains helium with a nominal gross lift of 6,000 lbs under standard ambient conditions. If solar heating produces a positive superheat of +15°F, what is the new estimated gross aerostatic lift (assuming a standard 1% lift increase per 5°F superheat prior to gas valving)?

• A6,180 lbs
• B6,090 lbs
• C6,450 lbs
• D5,820 lbs

An airship has a total envelope volume of 100,000 cu ft. At sea level (29.92 inHg, 15°C), the helium occupies 85,000 cu ft and the ballonets hold 15,000 cu ft of air. Assuming a standard atmosphere pressure lapse rate of approx 1 inHg per 1,000 ft, at approximately what pressure altitude will the helium expand to completely fill the 100,000 cu ft envelope (pressure height)?

• A4,500 feet MSL
• B1,500 feet MSL
• C8,500 feet MSL
• D10,000 feet MSL

Under non-standard warm atmospheric conditions (+20°C above ISA at sea level), how is gross aerostatic lift affected if envelope helium temperature matches outside air temperature (zero superheat)?

• AGross aerostatic lift decreases because warmer air is less dense, reducing the weight of…
• BGross aerostatic lift increases because warm helium creates higher pressure against the f…
• CGross aerostatic lift remains unchanged because temperature affects helium and air equally
• DGross aerostatic lift doubles because air density drops faster than helium density

If barometric pressure increases from 29.92 inHg to 30.42 inHg while temperature remains constant at 15°C, what happens to the gross aerostatic lift of an airship prior to reaching pressure height?

• AGross aerostatic lift increases because ambient air density increases, displacing more we…
• BGross aerostatic lift decreases because higher pressure compresses the envelope volume
• CGross aerostatic lift remains exactly constant
• DGross aerostatic lift decreases by 10% due to ballonet over-inflation

An airship departs sea level with ballonets filled to 20% of envelope volume (20,000 cu ft of air in a 100,000 cu ft envelope). During climb to pressure height, what percentage of the initial ballonet air volume remains when the airship reaches half of its pressure height altitude (assuming linear pressure lapse)?

• AApproximately 50% of the initial ballonet air volume
• B0% (ballonets are completely empty at half pressure height)
• C100% (ballonets do not exhaust air until reaching pressure height)
• D75% of initial ballonet air volume

On an airship equipped with conventional tail surfaces (cross-tail configuration), what primary aerodynamic motions are controlled by the rudders and elevators?

• ARudders control yaw (left/right rotation) and elevators control pitch (nose up/down incli…
• BRudders control roll and elevators control yaw
• CRudders control aerostatic lift and elevators control engine RPM
• DRudders control ballonet air pressure and elevators control helium valving

What is a major operational advantage of an 'X-tail' (ruddervator) tail surface configuration compared to a traditional cross-tail on an airship?

• AAll four control surfaces work symmetrically in combination for both pitch and yaw contro…
• BIt eliminates the need for vectorable engines entirely
• CIt automatically regulates envelope pressure without pilot intervention
• DIt increases gross aerostatic lift by 20%

What does it mean when an airship is described as operating in a 'statically heavy' condition?

• AThe total gross weight of the airship exceeds the total gross aerostatic lift generated b…
• BThe engines are operating at maximum gross takeoff weight
• CThe airship has negative superheat in the upper envelope
• DThe ballonets are 100% full of water ballast

What is the purpose of performing a 'static weigh-off' prior to takeoff in an airship?

• ATo determine the exact static trim condition (pounds heavy or light) and longitudinal sta…
• BTo verify that engine oil pressure is within green limits
• CTo calibrate the cockpit pressure altimeter against station pressure
• DTo completely vent all helium gas to check valve sealing

How must a pilot maintain level flight when an airship is operating 200 lbs statically heavy without vectorable engines?

• AMaintain forward airspeed and establish a positive angle of attack to generate 200 lbs of…
• BTrim the pitch nose-down and increase engine power to maximum
• CPump air out of the forward ballonet into the aft ballonet until the airship rises
• DValve helium continuously throughout the cruise flight

If an airship is operating in a 'statically light' condition (net lift greater than gross weight), what flight technique is required to maintain a constant altitude during cruise?

• AFly with a negative angle of attack (nose down pitch) or vector engines downward to produ…
• BFly with a positive angle of attack and full engine power
• CDump water ballast continuously
• DFully inflate all ballonets to add structural air weight