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100+ Free SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical Practice Questions

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Sample SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which type of fuselage construction relies primarily on internal formers, bulkheads, and longerons covered by a stress-bearing skin to carry structural loads?
A.Semi-monocoque construction
B.Truss construction
C.Full monocoque construction
D.Geodetic construction
Explanation: Semi-monocoque construction combines internal structural frames (formers, bulkheads, stringers, and longerons) with a thin metal or composite skin that carries a substantial portion of the flight and ground loads.
2In a conventional aircraft wing, what is the main structural member responsible for absorbing bending loads in flight?
A.Wing spar
B.Wing rib
C.Skin panel
D.Drag wire
Explanation: The wing spar is the primary longitudinal structural member extending from the root to the tip of the wing, engineered specifically to withstand main flight bending loads and shear stresses.
3How does a cantilever wing differ structurally and aerodynamically from a braced wing?
A.A cantilever wing requires no external struts or wires for support, carrying all structural loads internally.
B.A cantilever wing requires external diagonal lift struts to attach the wing to the fuselage.
C.A cantilever wing is lighter and produces significantly more parasite drag than a braced wing.
D.A cantilever wing can only be used on biplanes and high-wing aircraft.
Explanation: A cantilever wing is internally supported by heavy main spars and root fittings, requiring zero external bracing struts or wires. This reduces parasite drag compared to strut-braced wings.
4Which primary flight control surface controls movement around the longitudinal axis, and what is this rotation called?
A.Ailerons, controlling roll
B.Elevator, controlling pitch
C.Rudder, controlling yaw
D.Trim tab, controlling sideslip
Explanation: Ailerons are located on the trailing edge of the outer wing sections and control movement around the longitudinal axis, known as roll.
5What is the primary design purpose of differential aileron movement?
A.To minimize adverse yaw by deflecting the up-going aileron further than the down-going aileron.
B.To increase roll rate by deflecting the down-going aileron twice as far as the up-going aileron.
C.To prevent elevator flutter during high-speed dives.
D.To automatically trim the aircraft during rudder deflection.
Explanation: Differential ailerons move the upward-deflected aileron a greater distance than the downward-deflected aileron. This creates extra parasite drag on the inside wing to counteract adverse yaw caused by induced drag on the raised wing.
6How do Frise-type ailerons reduce adverse yaw during a bank?
A.The nose of the up-going aileron projects below the lower wing surface, creating drag on the inside wing of the turn.
B.The leading edge of the down-going aileron extends above the upper surface to spoil lift.
C.They incorporate small anti-servo tabs that automatically adjust cable tension.
D.They lock the rudder in alignment with the turning direction.
Explanation: When a Frise aileron deflects upward, its offset hinge causes the leading edge (nose) of the aileron to project downwards into the airflow underneath the wing. This creates parasite drag on the lowering wing side to offset adverse yaw.
7Which trailing-edge flap type shifts rearward as it extends, increasing both wing surface area and camber to produce the maximum lift increase?
A.Fowler flap
B.Plain flap
C.Split flap
D.Slotted flap
Explanation: Fowler flaps slide backwards on tracks before hinged downward. This motion increases both total wing surface area and wing camber, providing the highest lift increase among standard flap designs.
8What is the primary function of an anti-servo tab fitted to an all-moving tailplane (stabilator)?
A.It moves in the same direction as the trailing edge of the stabilator to provide aerodynamic control feel and prevent over-controlling.
B.It moves in the opposite direction to the stabilator to make pitch control effort as light as possible.
C.It automatically deploys when flaps are extended to prevent pitch trim changes.
D.It locks the stabilator in neutral during high-speed cruise.
Explanation: An all-moving stabilator is very sensitive. An anti-servo tab moves in the *same* direction as the trailing edge of the stabilator, creating an opposing aerodynamic force that increases control stick feel and prevents pilot over-controlling.
9In an oleo-pneumatic landing gear strut, what two substances are used to absorb landing shock and control rebound?
A.Hydraulic fluid and compressed nitrogen (or air)
B.Engine oil and heavy coil steel springs
C.Compressed oxygen and synthetic grease
D.Brake fluid and rubber bungee cords
Explanation: An oleo strut uses compressed nitrogen gas (or air) to act as a spring absorbing the initial landing impact, and hydraulic fluid forced through a metering orifice to damp rebound oscillations.
10What is the function of a shimmy damper fitted to a nosewheel assembly?
A.To prevent rapid, violent side-to-side oscillations of the nosewheel during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
B.To automatically center the nosewheel when steering cables snap.
C.To lock the nosewheel straight during crosswind landings.
D.To retract the nosewheel inside the wheel well without hydraulic pressure.
Explanation: A shimmy damper is a small hydraulic damping cylinder attached to the nosewheel strut that absorbs high-frequency rapid oscillations (shimmy) during ground operations.

About the SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical Exam

The SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical & General Knowledge examination is a mandatory theoretical knowledge exam for candidate private pilots in South Africa under SA CAR Part 61. It evaluates essential technical knowledge including piston engine operating principles, fuel and ignition systems, aircraft structural loads, DC electrical circuits, lubrication, cooling, pitot-static flight instruments, and gyroscopic flight instruments.

Questions

30 scored questions

Time Limit

60 minutes

Passing Score

75% (CAR 61.01.10)

Exam Fee

Approximately R425–R450 per subject sitting (South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA))

SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical Exam Content Outline

20%

Airframe Systems and Construction

Aircraft structures, fuselage types, wings, flight control systems, landing gear mechanisms, and structural load factors.

25%

Four-Stroke Piston Engines and Fuel Systems

Four-stroke engine operating cycles, carburetion, mixture control, detonation, pre-ignition, and AVGAS fuel grades.

20%

Electrical, Battery and Ignition Systems

DC electrical circuits, alternators vs generators, lead-acid batteries, busbars, and dual magneto ignition systems.

15%

Engine Cooling, Lubrication and Operational Hazards

Engine oil systems, viscosity ratings, air cooling, cowl flaps, carburetor icing hazards, and shock cooling.

20%

Flight Instruments and Vacuum/Gyroscopic Systems

Pitot-static instruments (ASI, Altimeter, VSI), vacuum system operation, and gyroscopic flight instruments.

How to Pass the SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75% (CAR 61.01.10)
  • Exam length: 30 questions
  • Time limit: 60 minutes
  • Exam fee: Approximately R425–R450 per subject sitting

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical Study Tips from Top Performers

1Understand the 4-stroke cycle (Induction, Compression, Power, Exhaust) and crankshaft rotation (720° per cycle).
2Learn the exact operational differences between Carburetor Refrigeration Icing (occurs even up to +30°C in humid air) and Impact Icing.
3Memorise instrument errors: static blockages, pitot blockages, gyroscopic precession, and rigidity in space.
4Distinguish Detonation (uncontrolled rapid explosion from high temp/pressure/low octane) from Pre-ignition (premature ignition caused by hot spots).
5Know aircraft electrical systems: 12V battery / 14V system or 24V battery / 28V system, alternator vs generator output at low RPM, and circuit breaker operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the passing score for the SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical exam?

The pass mark is 75% under CAR 61.01.10. There is no negative marking, so candidates should answer all questions before the 60-minute time limit expires.

How many questions are on the SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical exam?

Official examination papers generated by the SACAA online PEXO system typically contain between 20 and 40 multiple-choice questions (commonly ~30).

What key topics are covered in the SACAA PPL Aircraft Technical syllabus?

The exam covers airframe construction, four-stroke piston engines, fuel and carburetion, dual magneto ignition, DC electrical systems, engine oil and cooling, pitot-static flight instruments, and vacuum-driven gyroscopic instruments.

What fuel color coding applies to AVGAS 100LL in South Africa?

AVGAS 100LL is dyed blue. Standard AVGAS 100 is dyed green, AVGAS 80 was red, and Jet A-1 is clear to straw-colored.

How do pitot tube and static port blockages affect flight instruments?

A blocked pitot tube affects the Airspeed Indicator (acting like an altimeter in climb/descent if drain hole is blocked). A blocked static port affects the ASI, Altimeter (freezes at blocked altitude), and Vertical Speed Indicator (reads zero).