PracticeVideosBlogFlashcardsEspañol
All Practice Exams

Free Practice Questions for RCAA Pilot Licence Theory

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card
100+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Sample RCAA Pilot Licence Theory Practice Questions

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

1Under RCAR Part 40 (Rules of the Air), how must an aircraft flying at night within Rwanda be operated, unless the Authority has prescribed conditions allowing VFR between sunset and sunrise?
A.Under VFR, provided the pilot holds a night qualification
B.Under VFR, provided flight visibility is at least 8 km and the surface remains in sight
C.Under VFR below FL 145, with no additional conditions
D.Under IFR
Explanation: RCAR 40.355(a)(1) states that an aircraft flying at night in Rwanda shall be flown in accordance with the IFR (apart from a limited control-zone proviso). RCAR 40.355(b)(3) also bars VFR between sunset and sunrise except as prescribed by the Authority and under its conditions, so night VFR is not a default privilege in Rwanda, whatever the visibility.
2Under RCAR 40.355, at or above which flight level must a pilot operating within the Kigali Flight Information Region fly in accordance with IFR, irrespective of meteorological conditions?
A.FL 100
B.FL 145
C.FL 195
D.FL 245
Explanation: RCAR 40.355(a)(2) requires IFR within the Kigali FIR at or above FL 145, and within airways at any flight level, irrespective of meteorological conditions. Consistent with this, RCAR 40.355(b)(1) prohibits VFR above FL 145 unless an appropriate air traffic services authority authorises it.
3Under RCAR 40.205, how should a pilot in flight acknowledge a light signal from aerodrome control during daylight hours?
A.By rocking the aircraft's wings
B.By flashing the landing lights on and off twice
C.By moving the ailerons or rudder
D.By pressing the transponder IDENT button
Explanation: RCAR 40.205(b)(1) requires a pilot in flight to acknowledge aerodrome control signals by day by rocking the aircraft's wings, except that this signal is not expected on the base and final legs of the approach. At night the pilot instead flashes the landing lights on and off twice or, if none are fitted, switches the navigation lights on and off twice.
4What is the minimum age requirement for the issuance of a Private Pilot Licence (Aeroplane) under Rwanda Civil Aviation Regulations (RCAR Part 07)?
A.16 years of age
B.17 years of age
C.18 years of age
D.21 years of age
Explanation: RCAR 7.290(a)(1) requires a private pilot applicant to be at least 17 years of age for a rating other than a glider or balloon, matching the ICAO Annex 1 standard. A student pilot licence for powered aircraft is available from 16 (RCAR 7.255), but the aeroplane PPL itself requires age 17.
5Which medical certificate class is the minimum requirement for an applicant to exercise the privileges of a Private Pilot Licence under RCAR Part 07?
A.Class 1 Medical Certificate
B.Class 3 Medical Certificate
C.No certificate; a signed self-declaration of medical fitness is enough for private flying
D.Class 2 Medical Certificate
Explanation: RCAR 7.290(a)(4) requires a private pilot licence applicant to hold at least a Class 2 medical certificate, which is the ICAO medical class for private pilots. Class 1 is the class associated with professional pilot licences such as the CPL and ATPL.
6Under RCAR Part 07, what are the minimum age and medical certificate requirements for the initial issue of a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)?
A.17 years of age and Class 2 Medical Certificate
B.18 years of age and Class 2 Medical Certificate
C.18 years of age and Class 1 Medical Certificate
D.21 years of age and Class 1 Medical Certificate
Explanation: RCAR 7.335(a) requires a commercial pilot licence applicant to be at least 18 years of age and, as required by the medical provisions referenced in that rule, to hold a Class 1 medical certificate. The applicant must also already hold a private pilot licence (RCAR 7.335(a)(9)).
7Under the Rules of the Air (RCAR 40.070 and ICAO Annex 2), when two aircraft are approaching head-on or approximately so and there is danger of collision, each aircraft shall:
A.Turn to its right
B.Turn to its left
C.Maintain heading while climbing 500 feet
D.Give way to the aircraft approaching from the west
Explanation: RCAR 40.070(f), following ICAO Annex 2, requires each pilot to alter course to the right when two aircraft are approaching head-on or nearly so and there is danger of collision. Both aircraft turning right opens lateral separation predictably.
8Which of the following aircraft categories has the highest right-of-way priority over all other aircraft in normal flight conditions?
A.Airships
B.Gliders
C.Balloons
D.Power-driven aeroplanes
Explanation: Under RCAR 40.070(d), which follows ICAO Annex 2, the less manoeuvrable aircraft has priority when converging: power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft give way to airships, gliders and balloons; airships give way to gliders and balloons; and gliders give way to balloons. Balloons therefore give way to none of these categories.
9Under RCAR 40.350 and ICAO Annex 2, what is the minimum height for a VFR flight over the congested areas of cities, towns, or settlements, except when necessary for take-off or landing?
A.1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 meters from the aircraft
B.500 feet above the ground or water
C.1,500 feet above the terrain within a radius of 1,000 meters from the aircraft
D.2,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a radius of 2,000 meters from the aircraft
Explanation: RCAR 40.350(a)(1) prohibits a VFR flight over congested areas of cities, towns or settlements, or over an open-air assembly of persons, at less than 300 m (1,000 ft) above the highest obstacle within a radius of 600 m from the aircraft, unless necessary for take-off or landing or permitted by the authority.
10When an aircraft climbs through the Transition Altitude, what altimeter setting procedure must the flight crew execute?
A.Set the altimeter to the aerodrome QFE
B.Set the standard pressure setting of 1013.25 hPa
C.Keep the local QNH set until reaching cruising level
D.Set 1000 hPa as a rounded standard datum
Explanation: During climb, the altimeter reference must be changed from the local aerodrome or regional QNH to the standard pressure setting of 1013.25 hPa (29.92 inHg) when passing through the Transition Altitude. Above this level, vertical position is expressed in Flight Levels (FL).

About the RCAA Pilot Licence Theory Exam

The Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) requires private and commercial pilot licence applicants to pass knowledge tests before the practical skill test. Under Rwanda Civil Aviation Regulations (RCAR) Part 07, applicants must log ground training, obtain an instructor endorsement, and score at least 70% on each knowledge test; passed results stay valid for 6 months for the PPL and 18 months for the CPL. The tests cover the knowledge areas in Appendix 1 to RCAR 7.295 and 7.340, including air law, aircraft systems, mass and balance, performance, flight planning, human performance, meteorology, navigation, operational procedures, principles of flight, and radiotelephony. This free independent bank offers 100 English-language multiple-choice practice questions on those topics, including Rwanda-specific rules from RCAR Parts 07, 10 and 40.

Exam sponsor: Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Objective multiple-choice knowledge tests, taken in written or computerized form through RCAA Flight Safety Services after an instructor endorsement; AC 07-003 states that each question has only one correct and complete answer. A separate practical skill test with an examiner follows. This bank is independent English-language multiple-choice practice, not an official RCAA test paper, and it does not replace ground training or the skill test.

Time Limit

Not published by RCAA. Passed knowledge-test results stay valid for 6 months (PPL) or 18 months (CPL) under RCAR 7.170(c).

Passing Score

70% or higher on each knowledge test (RCAR 7.170(b))

Exam / Certification Fees

40,000 RWF per examination subject (PPL, CPL and ATPL) under RCAA AIC A 01/23; initial licence issue 150,000 RWF (PPL) or 300,000 RWF (CPL).

Exam sponsor website

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

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.

Not published

Air Law and ATC Procedures

RCAR Part 07 licensing requirements, RCAR Part 40 rules of the air (right of way, minimum heights, VMC minima, night and FL 145 VFR limits in the Kigali FIR, light signals), altimeter setting procedures, and ATC clearances.

Not published

Aircraft General Knowledge

Piston aero-engines, dual magneto ignition, fuel and lubrication systems, carburettor icing, pitot-static instruments, gyroscopic instruments, and propellers.

Not published

Flight Performance, Planning and Loading

Mass and balance, forward and aft CG effects, pressure and density altitude, crosswind components, take-off and landing performance, and RCAR 10.415 VFR fuel reserves.

Not published

Human Performance and Limitations

Hypoxia and hyperventilation, carbon monoxide, decompression sickness after diving, spatial disorientation and visual illusions, night vision, alcohol rules, and hazardous attitudes.

Not published

Meteorology

ISA and altimetry errors, wind terminology, stability, fog types, fronts, thunderstorms, icing, and METAR/TAF decoding for Kigali (HRYR).

Not published

Navigation

Aeronautical charts, magnetic variation and deviation, compass heading calculations, the 1-in-60 rule, time-speed-distance, VOR, NDB/ADF, DME, and GNSS.

Not published

Operational Procedures

Runway markings, PAPI, wake turbulence avoidance, engine failure after take-off, ditching, and ELT frequencies.

Not published

Principles of Flight

Lift and drag, angle of attack, stalls, load factor in turns, spins and recovery, stability, flaps, and adverse yaw.

Not published

Communications and Radiotelephony

SSR emergency codes, distress and urgency calls, the VHF emergency frequency, mandatory readbacks, radio failure procedures, and ICAO number pronunciation.

Preparing for the RCAA Pilot Licence Theory Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70% or higher on each knowledge test (RCAR 7.170(b))
  • Assessment: Objective multiple-choice knowledge tests, taken in written or computerized form through RCAA Flight Safety Services after an instructor endorsement; AC 07-003 states that each question has only one correct and complete answer. A separate practical skill test with an examiner follows. This bank is independent English-language multiple-choice practice, not an official RCAA test paper, and it does not replace ground training or the skill test.
  • Time limit: Not published by RCAA. Passed knowledge-test results stay valid for 6 months (PPL) or 18 months (CPL) under RCAR 7.170(c).
  • Exam / certification fees: 40,000 RWF per examination subject (PPL, CPL and ATPL) under RCAA AIC A 01/23; initial licence issue 150,000 RWF (PPL) or 300,000 RWF (CPL). Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

RCAA Pilot Licence Theory: Suggested Study Strategy

1Prepare every subject thoroughly: RCAR 7.170(b) requires at least 70% on each knowledge test, not an averaged score.
2Practise real calculations, including crosswind components, density altitude, mass and balance, fuel with the RCAR 10.415 reserve, and 1-in-60 track corrections.
3Learn the Rwanda-specific rules in RCAR Part 40, such as IFR for night flight and at or above FL 145 in the Kigali FIR, alongside ICAO phraseology.
4Plan your skill test early: passed PPL knowledge-test results stay valid for only 6 months under RCAR 7.170(c).

Frequently Asked Questions

What subjects do the Rwanda RCAA pilot licence knowledge tests cover?

Appendix 1 to RCAR 7.295 (PPL) and Appendix 1 to RCAR 7.340 (CPL) list the knowledge areas, including air law and rules of the air, aircraft systems and limitations, mass and balance, performance, flight planning, human performance, meteorology, navigation, emergency procedures, principles of flight, and radiotelephony. RCAA does not publish percentage weights for these areas.

What is the passing score for RCAA pilot knowledge tests?

RCAR 7.170(b) requires at least 70% on each knowledge test, and the RCAA licensing FAQ states the same requirement.

How long are RCAA knowledge test results valid?

Under RCAR 7.170(c), passed knowledge-test results stay valid for 6 months for private pilot (and validation) applicants and 18 months for commercial pilot applicants.

How much do RCAA pilot knowledge tests cost?

Under RCAA AIC A 01/23, each examination subject costs 40,000 RWF for PPL, CPL and ATPL applicants, and a mock examination costs 10,000 RWF per subject. Initial licence issue costs 150,000 RWF for a PPL and 300,000 RWF for a CPL.

What happens if I fail an RCAA knowledge test?

RCAR 7.195 requires additional training from an authorised instructor and that instructor's endorsement before you retest, and AC 07-003 also asks for the score sheet and written RCAA-FSS authorization. A passed test may be retaken for a higher score only after 30 days.

Is this practice bank an official RCAA examination?

No. It is independent English-language multiple-choice practice by OpenExamPrep on the RCAR knowledge areas. It does not reproduce live RCAA test questions and does not replace approved ground training, instructor endorsements, or the practical skill test.