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100+ Free FAA SPI Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Glider Practice Questions

Prepare for the FAA Sport Pilot Glider Knowledge Test (Test Code: SPI) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: FAA SPI Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Glider Exam

SPI

Test Code

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

40 Questions

Official Question Count

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

2 Hours (120 Min)

Time Limit

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

70%

Passing Score

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

Prepare for the FAA SPI Sport Pilot Glider Knowledge Test with 100 practice questions covering Part 61 Subpart J rules, glider polar curves, aerotow and winch operations, soaring meteorology, and emergency procedures. Test consists of 40 questions with a 2-hour limit and 70% passing score.

Sample FAA SPI Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Glider Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FAA SPI Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Glider 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 § 61.23, what medical qualification is required for a pilot to exercise the privileges of a Sport Pilot Certificate in a glider?
A.No medical certificate and no driver's license are required, although § 61.53 still bars flight with a known disqualifying medical condition
B.A Third-Class FAA medical certificate issued within the preceding 60 calendar months
C.A Second-Class FAA medical certificate issued within the preceding 24 calendar months
D.A valid U.S. driver's license
Explanation: Section 61.23(b)(2) lists exercising sport pilot privileges in a glider or balloon among the operations not requiring a medical certificate. Unlike other § 61.316 aircraft, gliders and balloons are carved out of the driver's license alternative in § 61.23(c)(1). Section 61.53(b) still prohibits acting as pilot in command while knowing of a medical condition that would make the pilot unable to operate safely.
2According to 14 CFR § 61.305, what is the minimum age required for an applicant to be eligible for a Sport Pilot Certificate with a glider rating?
A.16 years of age
B.14 years of age
C.17 years of age
D.18 years of age
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.305(a), an applicant for a sport pilot certificate must be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old if applying to operate a glider or balloon.
3Under 14 CFR § 61.315, a pilot holding a Sport Pilot Certificate with a glider rating is restricted from carrying more than how many passengers?
A.One passenger
B.Two passengers
C.Three passengers
D.Zero passengers (solo flight only)
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.315(c)(4), a sport pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying more than one passenger.
4Which operating restriction applies to a sport pilot flying a glider under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J unless specifically endorsed by an authorized instructor under § 61.325?
A.Operating in Class B, Class C, or Class D airspace
B.Flying above 3,000 feet MSL
C.Conducting flights further than 10 nautical miles from the departure airport
D.Performing aerotow launches
Explanation: Section 61.315(c)(7) bars a sport pilot from Class B, C, and D airspace, from an airport located in that airspace, and from operating to, from, through, or at an airport with an operational control tower unless the pilot has met § 61.325, which requires ground and flight training plus a logbook endorsement covering radio use, tower operations including three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, and the applicable part 91 flight rules.
5Under 14 CFR § 91.113(d), which aircraft category has the right-of-way over all other engine-driven aircraft in flight?
A.Glider
B.Airship
C.Helicopter
D.Single-engine airplane
Explanation: As amended by the MOSAIC rule, 14 CFR § 91.113(d)(2) states simply that a glider has the right-of-way over powered aircraft. Only a balloon, under § 91.113(d)(1), outranks a glider.
6When two gliders are approaching each other head-on or nearly so at the same altitude, what action must each pilot take under 14 CFR § 91.113(e)?
A.Both pilots shall alter course to the right
B.The glider at the higher altitude must climb while the lower glider descends
C.Both pilots shall alter course to the left
D.The glider on the right has right-of-way and maintains course while the left glider turns right
Explanation: 14 CFR § 91.113(e) dictates that when aircraft are approaching head-on, or nearly so, each pilot of each aircraft shall alter course to the right.
7Under 14 CFR § 91.309(a)(3)(i), what is the requirement regarding the breaking strength of a safety link installed at the glider end of a towline during aerotow operations?
A.Not less than 80 percent of the glider's maximum certificated operating weight and not more than 200 percent of that weight
B.Exactly equal to 100 percent of the glider's maximum certificated operating weight
C.Not less than 50 percent and not more than 120 percent of the towplane's maximum takeoff weight
D.Not less than 150 percent and not more than 300 percent of the empty weight of the glider
Explanation: Section 91.309(a)(3) requires the towline itself to break between 80 percent and twice the glider's maximum certificated operating weight. A stronger towline is allowed only if safety links are fitted: § 91.309(a)(3)(i) sets the glider-end link at not less than 80 percent and not greater than twice that weight, and § 91.309(a)(3)(ii) sets the towplane-end link greater than the glider-end link but not more than 25 percent greater, and not greater than twice the glider's weight.
8Under 14 CFR § 91.211(a)(1), at what cabin pressure altitude must the required minimum flight crew be provided with and use supplemental oxygen during flight in a glider?
A.At cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet MSL up to and including 14,000 feet MSL for that part of the flight at those altitudes that is of more than 30 minutes duration
B.At all times when operating above 10,000 feet MSL
C.Only when operating above 18,000 feet MSL in Class A airspace
D.At cabin pressure altitudes above 14,000 feet MSL for more than 45 minutes duration
Explanation: 14 CFR § 91.211(a)(1) requires supplemental oxygen for the required flight crew at cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet MSL up to and including 14,000 feet MSL for any portion of flight at those altitudes that exceeds 30 minutes.
9Under 14 CFR § 91.155, what are the basic VFR weather minimums for operating a glider in Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL?
A.3 statute miles flight visibility; cloud clearance: 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal
B.1 statute mile flight visibility; clear of clouds
C.5 statute miles flight visibility; cloud clearance: 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 1 statute mile horizontal
D.3 statute miles flight visibility; clear of clouds
Explanation: 14 CFR § 91.155 dictates that in Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL, VFR minimum flight visibility is 3 statute miles, and minimum distance from clouds is 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal (commonly remembered as 3 - 152).
10What is the VFR flight visibility and cloud clearance requirement for a glider operating in Class G airspace during daylight hours at an altitude of 800 feet AGL?
A.1 statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds
B.3 statute miles flight visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal
C.3 statute miles flight visibility and clear of clouds
D.5 statute miles flight visibility; 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 1 statute mile horizontal
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 91.155, for Class G airspace at 1,200 feet or less above the surface during day operations, the minimum flight visibility is 1 statute mile and the aircraft must remain clear of clouds.

About the FAA SPI Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Glider Exam

The FAA SPI Knowledge Test evaluates aeronautical knowledge required for a Sport Pilot Certificate with a Glider category rating under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J. Topics include FAA regulations (Part 61/91), glider aerodynamics and polar curves, aerotow and ground launch procedures, soaring techniques (thermal, wave, ridge), speed-to-fly theory, VFR airspace minimums, and emergency off-field landing procedures.

Assessment

40 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering FAA regulations, glider aerodynamics, launch procedures, soaring techniques, and airspace rules.

Time Limit

2 hours (120 minutes)

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

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

FAA SPI Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Glider Exam Content Outline

25%

FAA Regulations (14 CFR Part 61 & Part 91)

Sport pilot privileges and limitations, logbook endorsements, driver's license medical eligibility, flight reviews, Part 91 right-of-way, aerotow rules (91.309), oxygen (91.211), and VFR cloud minimums (91.155).

25%

Glider Aerodynamics & Flight Performance

Lift/drag vectors, L/D ratio, polar curves, best glide vs minimum sink speeds, water ballast effects, airbrakes/spoilers, wing loading, and stall/spin recovery dynamics.

25%

Launch Procedures & Flight Operations

Aerotow hand/aircraft signals, high/low tow positions, wake turbulence avoidance, slack line recovery, winch/ground tow release angles, safety link ratings, weight & balance, and off-field landing site selection.

25%

Soaring Meteorology & Flight Navigation

Thermal, ridge, and wave soaring mechanics, atmospheric lapse rates, CCL thermal height estimation, density altitude calculations, MacCready speed-to-fly, sectional charts, airspace classes, and magnetic compass errors.

How to Pass the FAA SPI Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Glider Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 40 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering FAA regulations, glider aerodynamics, launch procedures, soaring techniques, and airspace rules.
  • 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 SPI Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Glider Study Tips from Top Performers

1Know the rules for aerotow safety links under 14 CFR § 91.309: safety links must have a breaking strength between 80% and 200% of the glider's maximum certificated operating weight.
2Master glider polar curves and the difference between minimum sink speed (lowest sink rate) and best glide speed (maximum L/D ratio).
3Understand the impact of water ballast: adding ballast increases flying speeds for both best glide and minimum sink without changing the maximum L/D ratio.
4Memorize aerotow signals: wing runner levelling wings, rudder waggle for tow plane launch ready, pilot yawing glider side-to-side to indicate inability to release tow line.
5Practice calculating convective condensation level (CCL) thermal base altitudes using dry adiabatic temperature and dew point lapse rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA SPI Knowledge Test?

The FAA SPI Knowledge Test is the official computer-based exam required to obtain an FAA Sport Pilot Certificate with a Glider category rating under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J.

How many questions are on the official FAA SPI exam and what is the passing score?

The official test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour (120 minutes) time limit. A passing score is 70% (at least 28 correct answers out of 40).

Do I need an FAA medical certificate to take the SPI exam or fly a glider?

No. Under 14 CFR § 61.303 and § 61.23(c)(1)(ii), a pilot flying a glider does not require an FAA medical certificate. A valid US driver's license satisfies medical eligibility requirements, provided the pilot has no known disqualifying medical condition.

What are the major subject areas tested on the SPI exam?

The exam covers 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J and Part 91 regulations, glider flight polar curves and L/D ratios, aerotow and winch launch procedures, tow safety link breaking strengths, thermal/wave/ridge soaring techniques, MacCready speed-to-fly, density altitude calculations, and emergency off-field landing procedures.