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100+ Free GLIDE Exam Practice Questions

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Sample GLIDE Exam Practice Questions

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1What is the minimum age requirement to hold a Glider Pilot Licence (GPL) in Canada?
A.14 years
B.16 years
C.17 years
D.18 years
Explanation: Under the CARs Personnel Licensing Standards (Standard 421.24), an applicant for a Glider Pilot Licence must be at least 16 years of age.
2What is the minimum age required to hold a Student Pilot Permit - Glider in Canada, which authorizes solo flight training?
A.14 years
B.15 years
C.16 years
D.17 years
Explanation: Under the CARs Personnel Licensing Standards (Standard 421.19), an applicant for a Student Pilot Permit - Glider must be at least 14 years of age.
3What is the minimum Transport Canada Aviation Medical Certificate category required to hold a Glider Pilot Licence?
A.Category 1
B.Category 2
C.Category 3
D.Category 4
Explanation: The CARs Personnel Licensing Standards (Standard 421.24) set a Category 4 Medical Certificate as the minimum medical requirement for a Glider Pilot Licence; the Student Pilot Permit - Glider carries the same minimum.
4What is the validity period of a Category 4 Medical Certificate for a Glider Pilot Licence holder under the age of 40?
A.24 months
B.36 months
C.60 months
D.80 months
Explanation: Under CAR 404.04, a Category 4 Medical Certificate for a Glider Pilot Licence remains valid for 60 months (5 years), regardless of the applicant's age.
5What is the validity period of a Category 4 Medical Certificate for a Glider Pilot Licence holder who is 40 years of age or older?
A.24 months
B.36 months
C.48 months
D.60 months
Explanation: Unlike Category 3 and Category 1 medical certificates, a Category 4 Medical Certificate for glider pilots is valid for 60 months (5 years) regardless of the holder's age.
6If a glider and a balloon are converging at approximately the same altitude, which aircraft has the right-of-way?
A.The glider, because it is less maneuverable in vertical plane soaring
B.The balloon, because balloons always have the right-of-way over all other air vehicles
C.The glider, because balloons can only drift with the wind and cannot steer laterally
D.The aircraft on the right, according to standard VFR converging rules
Explanation: Under CAR 602.19, balloons have the right-of-way over all other types of aircraft. The glider pilot must alter heading to yield to the balloon.
7If a glider and a power-driven aeroplane are converging at approximately the same altitude, which aircraft has the right-of-way?
A.The aeroplane, because it can climb away and clear the conflict quicker
B.The glider, because non-power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft have right-of-way over power-driven aircraft
C.Whichever aircraft has the other on its left side
D.Whichever aircraft is flying at a higher indicated airspeed
Explanation: Under CAR 602.19(2), a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft shall give way to airships, gliders and balloons. The aeroplane pilot must therefore yield to the glider.
8When two gliders are converging at approximately the same altitude, which glider has the right-of-way?
A.The glider that is flying faster
B.The glider that has the other on its right
C.The glider that has the other on its left
D.The glider that is lower in altitude
Explanation: Under CAR 602.19(2), when two aircraft of the same category are converging at approximately the same altitude, the pilot-in-command of the aircraft that has the other on its right shall give way. Therefore, the glider that has the other on its left is the one with priority.
9When two gliders are approaching head-on, or nearly so, what action must both pilots take to avoid a collision?
A.Both pilots must alter heading to the left
B.Both pilots must alter heading to the right
C.The lower glider must dive and the higher glider must climb
D.The glider flying with a tailwind must climb, and the other must descend
Explanation: Under CAR 602.19(5), when two aircraft are approaching head-on or approximately so and there is a risk of collision, each pilot-in-command shall alter heading to the right.
10If you are overtaking another glider in flight, what are your responsibilities regarding right-of-way and passing?
A.The overtaken glider must yield, and you should pass on the left
B.You must give way, altering your heading to the right to pass clear of the other glider
C.You have right-of-way and may pass directly above or below
D.You must alter heading to the left and pass at least 500 feet away
Explanation: Under CAR 602.19(6), the aircraft being overtaken has the right-of-way, and the overtaking aircraft shall keep out of the way of the other by altering its heading to the right.

About the GLIDE Exam Exam

The Transport Canada Glider Pilot Licence written examination (GLIDE) is the mandatory theory test for obtaining a Glider Pilot Licence in Canada. It validates a candidate's knowledge across air law, meteorology, navigation, aerodynamics, airframes and systems, flight instruments, launch procedures (aerotow, ground launch, winch launch), and emergency procedures. Study references include the TP 876E Guide, the TC AIM, and standard flight training manuals like 'From the Ground Up'.

Assessment

The official Transport Canada GLIDE written exam is a closed-book, multiple-choice test consisting of 50 questions. Candidates must answer questions from all sections of the syllabus within a 2-hour time limit. This practice bank provides 100 questions to cover all topics thoroughly.

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

60%

Exam Fee

$105 CAD (Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA))

GLIDE Exam Exam Content Outline

20%

Air Law and Flight Procedures

Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Parts I, III, IV, and VI. Licensing and medical validity, glider airworthiness, right-of-way rules, collision avoidance, flight in controlled/uncontrolled airspace, aerodrome operations, and mandatory reporting.

25%

Meteorology

Soaring meteorology. Temperature, pressure, moisture, stability, lapse rates, frontal systems, winds, thermal structures, cloud indicators (cumulus, lenticular), local winds (slope, wave, sea breeze), and reading METARs, TAFs, and Graphic Area Forecasts (GFAs).

25%

Glider Aerodynamics and Theory of Flight

Aerodynamic forces, lift and drag curves, lift/drag ratio (L/D), wing loading and its effect on performance, glide polar curves, speed-to-fly (MacCready theory), adverse yaw and coordination, stability, spoilers/dive brakes, and stall/spin flight dynamics.

20%

Navigation and Radio Theory

Reading VFR Navigation Charts (VNC), flight planning, magnetic compass errors (deviation, variation, acceleration/turning errors), dead reckoning, wind drift correction, glide range calculations, and aeronautical radio procedures (ROC-A).

10%

Human Factors and Flight Safety

Hypoxia, hyperventilation, spatial disorientation, dehydration, fatigue, optical illusions, Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM), pre-flight inspections, launch emergency response (rope breaks, slack rope, winch failures), and off-field landing site selection and execution.

How to Pass the GLIDE Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 60%
  • Assessment: The official Transport Canada GLIDE written exam is a closed-book, multiple-choice test consisting of 50 questions. Candidates must answer questions from all sections of the syllabus within a 2-hour time limit. This practice bank provides 100 questions to cover all topics thoroughly.
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam fee: $105 CAD

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GLIDE Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Understand the glide polar curve thoroughly. You must know how wing loading, wind, and water ballast shift the glide polar, and how to find minimum sink vs. best L/D speeds.
2Review Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) regarding right-of-way: gliders have right-of-way over power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft and airships, but must yield to balloons.
3Practice wind drift and glide performance calculations. Be ready to calculate whether you can return to the airfield from a given altitude and distance in a headwind.
4Study aviation weather reports. Be comfortable decoding METARs, TAFs, and GFAs, and understand atmospheric stability, lapse rates, and thermal index values.
5Memorize the standard aerotow signals: towplane wagging rudder means check spoilers/dive brakes; glider rocking wings means unable to release; towplane rocking wings means release immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing mark and time limit for the Transport Canada GLIDE exam?

The official Transport Canada GLIDE exam has 50 multiple-choice questions. The passing mark is 60% (30 out of 50 questions answered correctly), and the time limit is 2 hours (120 minutes).

What items are allowed in the examination room?

Candidates are allowed to bring a mechanical or electronic flight computer (such as an E6B or CX-3 with cleared memory), a navigation protractor, a ruler/scale, and pencil/eraser. No smart devices, cellphones, or reference manuals are permitted.

What are the ground school and recommendation requirements to write the GLIDE exam?

Under CARs, you must have completed a minimum of 15 hours of glider pilot ground school instruction. You must also obtain a letter of recommendation from a qualified flight instructor certifying that you have completed the ground school training and achieved a satisfactory score on a pre-licensing practice exam within the preceding 60 days.

Does Canada require a medical certificate for glider pilots?

Yes, you must hold a valid Category 1, 3, or 4 Aviation Medical Certificate issued by Transport Canada. A Category 4 medical certificate (which involves a self-declaration signed by a physician) is the minimum required for a Glider Pilot Licence.

What launching methods are covered in the Canadian GLIDE exam?

The exam covers aerotowing (including signals, slack rope, box-the-wake, and towing emergency procedures), winch launching (climb angles, power failures, launch speeds), and auto-launching. Safety procedures and pilot actions for premature launch terminations (rope breaks) are heavily tested.