100+ Free FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane (RPA) Practice Questions
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A recreational pilot's logbook endorsement to operate beyond 50 NM is given by:
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Key Facts: FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane (RPA) Exam
50
Official Test Questions
FAA Airman Knowledge Testing (RPA)
2 hours
Time Limit
FAA Airman Knowledge Testing matrix
70%
Passing Score
FAA airman knowledge test standard
50 NM
Recreational Departure Radius
14 CFR 61.101
1
Maximum Passengers
14 CFR 61.101
~$175
PSI Testing Fee
PSI / FAA airman knowledge testing
The FAA RPA knowledge test has 50 multiple-choice questions, a 2-hour time limit, and requires 70 percent to pass, delivered by PSI at FAA-approved testing centers for about $175. The recreational certificate has reduced privileges versus the private certificate: flight within 50 NM of the departure airport, no more than one passenger, no night flight, no Class B/C/D or tower operations without an endorsement, and no complex or high-performance aircraft. Additional instructor training and logbook endorsements remove some of these limitations, such as the 50 NM and controlled-airspace restrictions.
Sample FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane (RPA) Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane (RPA) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Under 14 CFR 61, how far from the departure airport may a recreational pilot normally operate without an additional cross-country training endorsement?
2How many passengers may a recreational pilot carry?
3A recreational pilot wishes to fly at night. What is required?
4Without an additional airspace endorsement, a recreational pilot may NOT operate in which airspace?
5What is the minimum passing score on the FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane (RPA) knowledge test?
6What does the lift equation indicate happens to lift if airspeed (velocity) is doubled, all else equal?
7An aircraft will always stall at the same:
8In a coded METAR, what does the entry 'BKN025' represent?
9Which document must be aboard the aircraft and is remembered with the acronym element 'A' in ARROW?
10What is the recommended remedy for the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning in flight?
About the FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane (RPA) Exam
The FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane Knowledge Test (RPA) is the FAA airman knowledge test for the recreational pilot certificate. It is a 50-question, multiple-choice, computer-based exam delivered by PSI, with a 2-hour limit and a 70 percent passing standard. It covers Federal Aviation Regulations and airspace, the recreational certificate's operating limitations, aviation weather, aerodynamics, aircraft systems and airworthiness, performance and weight and balance, and aeromedical and human factors.
Assessment
50 multiple-choice, 2 hours, 70% to pass, computer-based via PSI (official FAA RPA test); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items
Time Limit
2 hours
Passing Score
70%
Exam Fee
~$175 (PSI testing fee) (Federal Aviation Administration (FAA))
FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane (RPA) Exam Content Outline
Federal Aviation Regulations & Airspace
14 CFR 61 recreational privileges and limitations, 14 CFR 91 general operating rules, VFR weather minimums, fuel reserves, right-of-way, preflight action, altimeter settings, and airspace classes.
Recreational Operating Limitations
The 50 NM departure radius, airspace and tower endorsement limits, single-passenger and no-night restrictions, aircraft restrictions, expense sharing, recency of experience, and additional-training endorsements.
Aviation Weather
Atmospheric theory and stability, fronts, fog, thunderstorms, structural icing, turbulence, windshear and microbursts, and reading METAR, TAF, and PIREP products.
Aerodynamics & Principles of Flight
Lift, the four forces, angle of attack and stalls, stability, load factor, induced and parasite drag, flight controls, ground effect, and left-turning tendencies.
Aircraft Systems, Instruments & Airworthiness
Powerplant and carburetor systems, electrical system, pitot-static and gyroscopic instruments, magnetic compass, required ARROW documents, and inspection intervals.
Aircraft Performance & Weight and Balance
Density altitude effects, takeoff and landing performance, wind effects, maximum gross weight, center of gravity, and maneuvering speed fundamentals.
Aeromedical, Human Factors & Decision-Making
Hypoxia, hyperventilation, carbon monoxide, spatial disorientation, fatigue, visual illusions, IMSAFE/PAVE/DECIDE models, hazardous attitudes, and VFR-into-IMC risk management.
How to Pass the FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane (RPA) Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 70%
- Assessment: 50 multiple-choice, 2 hours, 70% to pass, computer-based via PSI (official FAA RPA test); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items
- Time limit: 2 hours
- Exam fee: ~$175 (PSI testing fee)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
FAA Recreational Pilot — Airplane (RPA) Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the FAA Recreational Pilot (RPA) knowledge test?
The official FAA RPA airman knowledge test contains 50 multiple-choice questions and has a 2-hour time limit. This free practice bank provides 100 selected-response questions so you can drill every knowledge area beyond the length of the real test.
What score do I need to pass the FAA RPA test?
You must score at least 70 percent on the FAA Recreational Pilot Airplane knowledge test to pass. The test is computer-based and delivered by PSI at FAA-approved testing centers, with results available immediately after completion.
What is the difference between a recreational and a private pilot certificate?
A recreational pilot certificate has reduced privileges: flight within 50 nautical miles of the departure airport, no more than one passenger, no night flight, no Class B, C, or D or tower operations without an endorsement, and no complex or high-performance aircraft. A private pilot certificate removes these limits, allows night and broader airspace operations, and generally requires more training (about 40 hours minimum versus roughly 15 for recreational).
Can a recreational pilot ever fly farther than 50 NM or into controlled airspace?
Yes. Under 14 CFR 61.101, a recreational pilot can receive specific ground and flight training and logbook endorsements from an authorized instructor to operate beyond 50 nautical miles from the departure airport and to operate in Class B, C, or D airspace or at tower-controlled airports.
How much does the FAA RPA knowledge test cost and who administers it?
The FAA airman knowledge test is administered by PSI at FAA-approved testing centers, with a typical fee of about $175. Confirm the current fee and locations through the FAA airman knowledge testing page before scheduling.
What changed for the FAA Recreational Pilot test in 2026?
As of 2026, the FAA Recreational Pilot Airplane knowledge test is still offered as a 50-question, 2-hour, 70-percent-to-pass computer-based test delivered by PSI. Always verify the current Airman Certification Standards and FAA testing matrix before scheduling, since the FAA updates testing references periodically.