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Exam Review

Key Facts: RPPAE Exam

Exam Questions

Transport Canada TP 12467

60%

Passing Score (per Section & Overall)

Transport Canada TP 12467

3 Hours

Time Limit

Transport Canada TP 12467

CA$35

Base Exam Fee

Transport Canada Fee Schedule

Class 4

Minimum Medical

CARs Standard 421

1 Passenger

Maximum Passenger Load

CARs Standard 401

The RPPAE written exam certifies Canadian recreational pilot candidates in core theoretical aviation knowledge. It features 80 multiple-choice questions, a 3-hour time limit, and a passing score of 60% overall and in each of the four mandatory sections. The exam fee is CA$35 when taken at a Transport Canada Centre. Content sections cover Air Law and Procedures, Navigation and Radio Aids, Meteorology, and Aeronautics General Knowledge.

Sample RPPAE Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the RPPAE exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the maximum passenger carrying privilege permitted under a Canadian Recreational Pilot Permit (Aeroplane)?

A.No passengers are permitted

B.A maximum of one passenger

C.A maximum of three passengers

D.Up to nine passengers, depending on aircraft seating capacity

Explanation: According to Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) section 401.22, the holder of a Recreational Pilot Permit (Aeroplane) may, under day VFR, act as pilot-in-command of a single-engine, non-high-performance aeroplane designed for a maximum of four persons, but may carry only one passenger.

2Under what condition may the holder of a Recreational Pilot Permit (Aeroplane) act as pilot-in-command during night hours?

A.If the aircraft is equipped for night VFR and the pilot has completed 5 hours of night flight training

B.If the pilot holds a valid night rating

C.Night flying is not permitted under any circumstances under a Recreational Pilot Permit

D.If the flight is conducted within 25 nautical miles of the departure aerodrome under local radar control

Explanation: A Recreational Pilot Permit (Aeroplane) is strictly a day-only permit. CARs do not allow the endorsement of a night rating or instrument rating onto a Recreational Pilot Permit. Night flying requires at least a Private Pilot Licence.

3What is the validity period of a Class 4 Medical Certificate for an RPP holder who is 38 years old at the date of the medical examination?

A.12 months

B.24 months

C.36 months

D.60 months

Explanation: Under Transport Canada regulations, a Class 4 Medical Certificate (which is the minimum required for a Recreational Pilot Permit) is valid for 60 months (5 years) if the applicant is under 40 years of age on the date of the medical examination.

4To meet the 2-year recency requirements to act as pilot-in-command of an aeroplane, a pilot must have completed a recurrent training program. Which of the following satisfies this requirement?

A.Completion of a flight review with a flight instructor

B.Completion of the self-paced study program published by Transport Canada

C.Obtaining a new rating or licence

D.Any of the above

Explanation: To maintain currency every 2 years, a pilot can satisfy the recurrent training requirements of CAR 401.05(2) by doing a flight review, completing the Transport Canada self-paced study program, attending a safety seminar, or passing a flight test/written exam for a new rating/licence.

5A pilot wants to carry a passenger but has not flown in the last few months. To legally carry a passenger, what recent experience must the pilot have?

A.At least 5 takeoffs and 5 landings in the same category and class of aircraft within the preceding 6 months

B.At least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in the same category and class of aircraft within the preceding 90 days

C.At least 5 hours of solo flight time within the preceding 12 months

D.A completed flight review with an instructor within the preceding 12 months

Explanation: CAR 401.05(2) requires that, to carry a passenger, a pilot must have completed at least 5 takeoffs and 5 landings in the same category and class of aircraft within the preceding 6 months. Takeoffs and landings done by night count toward both day and night currency, while day ones count for day flights only.

6What is the VFR weather minimum for flight visibility in controlled airspace?

A.1 statute mile

B.2 statute miles

C.3 statute miles

D.5 statute miles

Explanation: CAR 602.114 states that for VFR flight within controlled airspace, flight visibility must be not less than 3 statute miles, and the aircraft must remain at least 500 feet vertically and 1 statute mile horizontally from cloud.

7In uncontrolled airspace below 1,000 feet AGL, what is the minimum flight visibility required for a day VFR flight in an aeroplane?

A.1 statute mile

B.2 statute miles

C.3 statute miles

D.5 statute miles

Explanation: Under CAR 602.115, an aeroplane (not a helicopter) operated in uncontrolled airspace at less than 1,000 feet AGL during the day must have a flight visibility of not less than 2 statute miles and be operated clear of cloud. At or above 1,000 feet AGL by day, the minimum drops to 1 statute mile with 500 ft vertical / 2,000 ft horizontal cloud clearance.

8What is the minimum distance an aircraft must maintain from clouds when flying VFR in controlled airspace?

A.Clear of cloud

B.500 feet vertically and 1 statute mile horizontally

C.500 feet vertically and 2,000 feet horizontally

D.1,000 feet vertically and 1 statute mile horizontally

Explanation: For VFR flight in controlled airspace, the pilot must remain at least 500 feet vertically and 1 statute mile horizontally from clouds. This provides a safety margin from IFR traffic entering or exiting cloud layers.

9What are the absolute minimum conditions required to obtain a Special VFR clearance for an aeroplane?

A.Flight visibility of 1 statute mile, and the aircraft must remain clear of cloud

B.Flight visibility of 3 statute miles, and the aircraft must remain 500 feet below clouds

C.Ground visibility of 2 statute miles, and the aircraft must remain clear of cloud

D.Flight visibility of 1.5 statute miles, and the aircraft must remain 500 feet below clouds

Explanation: Under CAR 602.117, Special VFR (SVFR) allows an aircraft to operate inside a control zone when weather is below VFR limits. For aeroplanes, the minimum requirement is a flight visibility of at least 1 statute mile and remaining clear of cloud, under authorization from ATC.

10According to the Canadian Aviation Regulations, no person shall act as a crew member of an aircraft within how many hours after consuming an alcoholic beverage?

A.8 hours

B.12 hours

C.24 hours

D.36 hours

Explanation: CAR 602.03 states that no person shall act as a crew member of an aircraft within 12 hours after consuming an alcoholic beverage. This is often referred to as the 'bottle to throttle' rule, which was updated from 8 hours to 12 hours in recent CAR amendments.

About the RPPAE Exam

The Transport Canada Recreational Pilot Permit Aeroplane (RPPAE) written exam is the theoretical knowledge exam required to obtain a Recreational Pilot Permit in Canada. The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions with a 3-hour limit, and requires a score of at least 60% overall as well as 60% in each of the four mandatory areas: Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, and Aeronautics General Knowledge. The exam is based on the Transport Canada Study and Reference Guide TP 12467.

Exam sponsor: Transport Canada (delivered via Transport Canada Centres or Authorized Flight Schools). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

80 questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

60% overall and 60% in each section

Exam / Certification Fees

CA$35

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25%

Air Law and Procedures

Rules of the air, airspace classifications, airport operations, and Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) including pilot licensing, recency, and aircraft documents.

25%

Navigation and Radio Aids

Aeronautical charts (VNC/VTA), longitude/latitude, dead reckoning calculations (IAS, TAS, wind drift, magnetic heading), VOR and NDB navigation aids, and radio communications.

25%

Meteorology

Atmospheric properties, winds, cloud formation, frontal systems, icing, airmass stability, and interpreting weather reports and forecasts (METAR, TAF, GFA, FD).

25%

Aeronautics and General Knowledge

Aerodynamics and theory of flight, airframes and aircraft engines, carburetor heat, fuel and oil systems, flight instruments (pitot-static and gyroscopes), weight and balance calculations, and aviation human factors (hypoxia, carbon monoxide, IMSAFE).

Preparing for the RPPAE Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 60% overall and 60% in each section
Exam length: 80 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam / certification fees: CA$35 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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RPPAE: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorize the VFR weather minima: in controlled airspace, you need 3 miles visibility, 500 feet vertical and 1 mile horizontal distance from clouds. In uncontrolled airspace above 1,000 feet AGL, you need 1 mile visibility by day, 2,000 feet horizontal and 500 feet vertical distance from clouds.

2Understand cruising altitudes: for VFR flights above 3,000 feet AGL, magnetic tracks of 000° to 179° require odd thousands plus 500 feet (e.g. 3,500, 5,500). Tracks of 180° to 359° require even thousands plus 500 feet (e.g. 4,500, 6,500).

3Get comfortable with wind drift and navigation math: learn how to calculate True Heading (TH) from True Track (TT) using wind speed and direction, and convert True Heading to Magnetic Heading (MH) by adding westerly or subtracting easterly variation (East is Least, West is Best).

4Practice decoding METARs, TAFs, GFAs, and FDs: know how to read wind velocity (relative to true north in METARs/TAFs/FDs), cloud layers, and pressure values. Remember that temperatures in FDs are negative above 24,000 feet, and a reading of 9900 indicates light and variable winds.

5Learn flight instrument blockages: a blocked pitot tube (with open drain) causes airspeed to drop to zero. A blocked static port freezes the altimeter and VSI, and causes the airspeed indicator to read high in descent and low in climb.

6Review weight and balance calculations: know how to calculate total weight and Center of Gravity (CG) index. Understand that a forward CG increases stability and stall speed but decreases cruise speed, while an aft CG decreases stability and stall speed and makes spin recovery difficult or impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score and format of the Transport Canada RPPAE exam?

The RPPAE exam is a 3-hour multiple-choice test consisting of 80 questions. The passing score is 60% overall. However, candidates must also score at least 60% in each of the four subject areas: Air Law, Navigation, Meteorology, and Aeronautics General Knowledge. A failure in any one section requires rewriting the entire exam.

What are the privileges of a Recreational Pilot Permit (RPP) in Canada?

The RPP allows you to act as pilot-in-command of a single-engine, non-high-performance aeroplane designed for a maximum of 4 seats (but you may only carry a maximum of 1 passenger). Flights must be conducted under day VFR conditions in Canadian airspace only. You cannot add a night rating, instrument rating, or multi-engine rating to an RPP.

How long is the written exam score valid, and what happens if it expires?

Written exam results are valid for 24 months from the date of the exam. You must complete your flight training and pass your flight test within this 24-month period to apply for the permit. If the 24 months pass, you must rewrite the written exam.

What are the medical requirements for the Recreational Pilot Permit?

To hold a Recreational Pilot Permit, you must possess a valid Class 4 Medical Certificate, which is a self-declared medical questionnaire certified by a physician. You may also use a Class 1 or Class 3 Medical Certificate. The Class 4 medical is valid for 60 months (5 years) if you are under 40, or 24 months (2 years) if you are 40 or older.

What is the difference between the RPP (RPPAE) and the PPL (PPAER) written exams?

The RPP written exam (RPPAE) consists of 80 questions and has a 3-hour limit, while the PPL written exam (PPAER) consists of 100 questions and has a 4-hour limit. The PPL exam covers some additional topics such as cross-border flight planning, night operations, and more advanced navigation and radio aids. Many flight schools recommend studying the PPL material since the knowledge base is very similar, and it leaves the door open to easily upgrade to a PPL later.