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100+ Free FAA MCN Knowledge Test Practice Questions

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Key Facts: FAA MCN Knowledge Test Exam

MCN

Test Code

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Exam Body

FAA Regulations 14 CFR Part 61

50 Questions / 120 Minutes

Questions / Time

PSI Services FAA Testing

70%

Passing Score

FAA Knowledge Test Standard

Pass the FAA MCN Knowledge Test with 100 detailed practice questions. Covers 14 CFR Part 61.73 conversion rules, Part 91 operating regulations, NAS airspace classifications, weather decoding, and IFR chart symbology.

Sample FAA MCN Knowledge Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FAA MCN Knowledge Test 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 61.73, an active or former rated U.S. military pilot may be issued an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with appropriate category and class ratings by meeting flight experience requirements and passing which FAA knowledge test?
A.FAA Military Competence Non-Category (MCN) Knowledge Test
B.FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX) Knowledge Test
C.FAA Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine (ATM) Knowledge Test
D.FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) Knowledge Test
Explanation: 14 CFR 61.73(a) specifies that an active or former U.S. military pilot who meets military flight status and pilot-in-command requirements may satisfy FAA commercial pilot certification requirements by passing the Military Competence Non-Category (MCN) knowledge test on aeronautical knowledge rules, Part 91 regulations, and National Airspace System operational procedures.
2What is the recency of military flight status requirement for an applicant applying for an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR 61.73?
A.Must have been on active flight status as a rated military pilot within the preceding 12 calendar months
B.Must have logged at least 100 hours of flight time within the preceding 6 calendar months
C.Must have passed an FAA flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months
D.Must have held military pilot status within the preceding 36 calendar months
Explanation: Under 14 CFR 61.73(b), an applicant must show that they were on active flight status as a rated military pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces within the 12 calendar months preceding the month of application, or have passed an official military pilot flight check within that 12-calendar-month period.
3An active U.S. military pilot seeking an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Airplane Multiengine Land rating under 14 CFR 61.73 must present official military flight records showing:
A.Military pilot designation and logged pilot-in-command or co-pilot time in multiengine military airplanes
B.At least 500 hours of multiengine jet PIC flight time logged in combat operations
C.Completion of a civilian FAA multiengine flight check with a Designated Pilot Examiner
D.At least 50 hours of night dual instruction in civilian aircraft
Explanation: Under 14 CFR 61.73(b) and (c), an applicant qualifies for an FAA category and class rating by proving official military rating/designation as a pilot and submitting flight records documenting PIC or second-in-command (co-pilot) flight time in that category and class of military aircraft.
4To add an Instrument Rating to an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR 61.73 based on military competence, what documentation must the applicant provide?
A.Official military flight records proving military instrument pilot qualification and an instrument flight check within the preceding 12 calendar months
B.An endorsement from a civilian CFII verifying 40 hours of simulated instrument time
C.A transcript showing completion of an FAA-approved Part 141 instrument ground school
D.Proof of 100 hours of actual IMC flight time logged in civilian airspace
Explanation: 14 CFR 61.73(d) requires an applicant seeking an FAA instrument rating to present official military records demonstrating military instrument pilot designation and proof of passing a military instrument evaluation check within the 12 calendar months prior to application.
5Under 14 CFR 61.73(g), an active or former U.S. military flight instructor who qualifies for an FAA Flight Instructor Certificate based on military competence must pass which knowledge test within 24 calendar months?
A.Military Competence Instructor (MCI) Knowledge Test
B.Military Competence Non-Category (MCN) Knowledge Test
C.Certified Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) Knowledge Test
D.Instrument Flight Instructor (FII) Knowledge Test
Explanation: 14 CFR 61.73(g) allows qualified military flight instructors or evaluation pilots to obtain an FAA Flight Instructor Certificate by passing the FAA Military Competence Instructor (MCI) test within 24 calendar months before application.
6Which official document serves as primary proof of military service, honorable discharge, and military pilot credentials for a former military pilot applying under 14 CFR 61.73?
A.DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) alongside official military pilot designation orders and flight logs
B.FAA Form 8060-4 Temporary Airman Certificate
C.Civil Air Patrol Pilot Logbook
D.FAA Form 8710-1 section signed by a civilian flight school chief instructor
Explanation: Former U.S. military personnel must present DD Form 214 verifying honorable military discharge/release, together with official military pilot qualification orders and official flight logs (e.g. AF Form 781, NAVFLIR) as required by 14 CFR 61.73.
7Under 14 CFR 61.73, can an FAA Category and Class rating be issued for an aircraft category in which the applicant held military pilot status, without taking an FAA practical flight check?
A.Yes, provided official flight records demonstrate military pilot status and currency in that category and class within the 12 calendar months prior to application
B.No, an FAA practical check is mandatory for every initial civilian category rating
C.Yes, but only if the pilot has accumulated more than 2,500 total hours in civilian aircraft
D.No, category ratings can only be converted after completing 10 hours of civilian CFI dual instruction
Explanation: 14 CFR 61.73 waives the FAA practical test (checkride) for category and class ratings matching those held in the U.S. Armed Forces, provided the pilot presents official records of military rated status and 12-month flight recency.
8A U.S. military service member whose military aviation duties were performed exclusively as a non-pilot Navigator or Combat Systems Officer (CSO):
A.Is NOT eligible for an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate under 14 CFR 61.73 military pilot competence rules
B.Is automatically eligible for an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating by taking the MCN exam
C.May be issued an FAA Airline Transport Pilot Certificate without a flight test
D.Qualifies for an FAA Flight Instructor Certificate under 14 CFR 61.73(g)
Explanation: 14 CFR 61.73 applies specifically to rated military pilots. Non-pilot aircrew such as navigators or CSOs are not eligible for pilot certificate issuance under 61.73, though military navigators may qualify for an FAA Flight Navigator Certificate under Part 63.
9What is the validity period of an FAA Knowledge Test Results Report for the Military Competence Non-Category (MCN) exam?
A.24 calendar months
B.12 calendar months
C.6 calendar months
D.Indefinite validity as long as military service continues
Explanation: Under 14 CFR 61.39(a)(1), an FAA Knowledge Test Report (including the MCN exam) remains valid for 24 calendar months from the date the test was taken for application toward certificate or rating issuance.
10Under 14 CFR 61.73, an aircraft Type Rating will be placed on an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate if the military pilot held PIC military qualification in that aircraft type and passed a military flight check within:
A.The preceding 12 calendar months
B.The preceding 24 calendar months
C.The preceding 36 calendar months
D.Any time during their military career, regardless of date
Explanation: 14 CFR 61.73(e) requires that for an aircraft type rating to be issued without a practical test, the applicant must have served as pilot-in-command in that military aircraft type and passed an official military flight check within the preceding 12 calendar months.

About the FAA MCN Knowledge Test Exam

The FAA MCN Knowledge Test (Military Competence Non-Category) allows U.S. military pilots, navigators, and aircrew members to convert their military flight qualifications into civilian FAA Commercial Pilot Certificates and Instrument Ratings under 14 CFR 61.73. The exam focuses on civilian civil aviation regulations, airspace rules, weather services, and operating procedures.

Assessment

50 multiple-choice questions, 2-hour time limit, administered at PSI Services testing centers

Time Limit

2 hours (120 minutes)

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$175 (Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) / PSI Services)

FAA MCN Knowledge Test Exam Content Outline

25%

14 CFR Part 61.73 Military Competence Conversion Rules & Certificate Eligibility

Rules for converting military pilot, navigator, and aircrew experience to FAA Commercial Pilot Certificates, Instrument Ratings, and Category/Class/Type ratings under 14 CFR 61.73.

30%

14 CFR Part 91 General Operating & Flight Rules

General flight rules, VFR/IFR altitude rules, aircraft speed limits, oxygen requirements, right-of-way, fuel reserves, and minimum safe altitudes.

25%

US National Airspace System & ATC Clearances

Classes A, B, C, D, E, and G airspace requirements, entry clearance, pilot certification, equipment requirements, Special Use Airspace (SUA), and AIM guidelines.

20%

Aviation Weather Services, IFR Symbology & Emergency Procedures

Aviation weather reports and forecasts (METAR/TAF, PIREPs), IFR approach chart symbols, NOTAM systems, altimetry calculations, and emergency airway procedures.

How to Pass the FAA MCN Knowledge Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 50 multiple-choice questions, 2-hour time limit, administered at PSI Services testing centers
  • Time limit: 2 hours (120 minutes)
  • Exam fee: $175

Keys to Passing

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

FAA MCN Knowledge Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Focus heavily on 14 CFR 61.73 eligibility criteria, flight record documentation, and rating conversion limits.
2Review Part 91 operational rules where military procedures differ from FAA civilian regulations (such as speed limits below 10,000 feet MSL and altimeter setting changeovers).
3Memorize Airspace visibility and cloud clearance minimums across Class B, C, D, E, and G airspace for VFR flight.
4Practice weather chart and METAR/TAF decoding, including altimetry and density altitude calculations.
5Study IFR approach chart symbols, lost communications procedures, and NOTAM classifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA MCN test code and who is it intended for?

The MCN test code stands for Military Competence Non-Category. It is designed for U.S. military pilots, navigators, or aircrew who hold valid military pilot status and want to obtain an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate or Instrument Rating under 14 CFR 61.73 without taking a full civilian practical flight test, provided they meet military flight currency requirements.

What documents are required when applying for a certificate under 14 CFR 61.73?

Applicants must present official military flight records (such as Form 781, NAVFLIR, or Air Force Form 5), DD Form 214 (if discharged/retired), military pilot designation orders, official flight test records, and proof of passing the FAA MCN knowledge test within the preceding 24 calendar months.

Does passing the MCN test automatically grant an Instrument Rating?

If the applicant holds military instrument pilot status and passes the MCN test, an FAA Instrument Rating can be added to the Commercial Pilot Certificate, provided all 14 CFR 61.73 prerequisites are satisfied.

What is the passing score and format for the MCN exam?

The official exam consists of 50 computer-based multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour time limit. The passing score is 70%.

Does the FAA publish topic weightings for the MCN knowledge test?

No. The FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix publishes the test code, question count, minimum age, allotted time and passing score, but no percentage breakdown by subject. The content outline and percentages shown on this page describe how this free practice bank distributes its questions across the knowledge areas drawn from the applicable FAA testing supplement, Airman Certification Standards or Practical Test Standards, and the FAA handbooks for this test.