FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM) practice questions

300 free questions with answers and explanations.

Practice test
  1. 251.A transport-category jet is cruising at FL390 at Mach 0.78. The low-speed (stall) buffet margin is 0.15 Mach and the high-speed (Mach) buffet margin is 0.04 Mach above cruise speed. As the aircraft climbs to FL410 with no change in weight or Mach number, the low-speed buffet margin shrinks rapidly while the high-speed buffet margin remains nearly unchanged. What is this narrowing altitude/speed window called?Transport Aerodynamics and High-Altitude Operations
  2. 252.A first officer feels the onset of a mild cold two hours before a scheduled departure. Following her CRM training, she runs through a personal fitness-for-duty checklist that considers illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, and emotion before deciding whether she is fit to fly. Which mnemonic is she applying?Human Factors and CRM
  3. 253.A pilot observes a thunderstorm cell producing heavy rain, frequent lightning, and gusty surface winds, with both strong updrafts and downdrafts occurring simultaneously within the cell. Which stage of the thunderstorm life cycle is this?Meteorology and Weather Services
  4. 254.Under 14 CFR Part 117, what minimum rest period must a certificate holder provide a flightcrew member immediately before the start of a flight duty period?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  5. 255.A pilot at an airport with a pressure altitude of 5,000 feet notes the outside air temperature is 30°C. Using the standard lapse rate of 2°C per 1,000 feet, what is the approximate density altitude?Meteorology and Weather Services
  6. 256.A pilot is tracking outbound from a VOR on the selected course. When the aircraft crosses the station and continues outbound on that same course, the course deviation indicator's ambiguity indicator will display which reading?Navigation, Air Traffic Control and Procedures
  7. 257.A pilot holds a bachelor's degree with an aviation major from a school with an FAA-approved curriculum and wishes to apply for a restricted-privileges ATP certificate under 14 CFR 61.160 to serve as a Part 121 second in command before reaching age 23. What is the minimum total flight time required?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  8. 258.An airliner is cleared for an RNP AR approach that requires RNP 0.30. What does this RNP value represent regarding the aircraft's required navigation performance?Navigation, Air Traffic Control and Procedures
  9. 259.An aircraft's indicated stall speed is 130 KIAS at any altitude, with no compressibility correction needed. The airplane stalls at 130 KIAS at sea level and again at 130 KIAS at FL350, where the density ratio (sigma) is approximately 0.31. Compared to the sea-level stall, the true airspeed at the FL350 stall is approximately:Transport Aerodynamics and High-Altitude Operations
  10. 260.A pilot is briefed that radiation fog is likely to form at the destination airport overnight. Which combination of conditions most favors this type of fog?Meteorology and Weather Services
  11. 261.A heavy category jet has just departed and a second heavy category jet is cleared for takeoff immediately behind it from the same runway. No radar wake turbulence separation is being applied. What is the minimum time separation ATC must provide between the two departures?Navigation, Air Traffic Control and Procedures
  12. 262.A dispatcher notes that a fast-moving cold front will pass the airport within the hour. Which weather conditions are most characteristic of the period immediately following the frontal passage?Meteorology and Weather Services
  13. 263.A flight crew conducts a post-flight debrief after an uneventful trip, discussing what went well, what could be improved, and lessons learned for future flights, without assigning blame to any individual. This practice is a key element of:Human Factors and CRM
  14. 264.A pilot reviewing a TAF for the destination notes the entry 'PROB30 1518/1520 1SM TSRA'. What does this group indicate to the pilot?Meteorology and Weather Services
  15. 265.Small airfoil-shaped devices are installed in rows on the upper wing surface near the leading edge of many transport aircraft, and sometimes on nacelles or the vertical stabilizer. Their primary aerodynamic function is to:Transport Aerodynamics and High-Altitude Operations
  16. 266.A dispatcher is briefing a crew on a fast-moving squall line ahead of an approaching cold front. Which hazard is most characteristic of squall lines?Meteorology and Weather Services
  17. 267.A pilot studying the International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) needs to recall the reference values used as the baseline for altimeter and performance calculations. What are the standard sea-level temperature, pressure, and lapse rate?Meteorology and Weather Services
  18. 268.An airline captain is taxiing to the gate after landing and begins discussing unrelated personal matters with the first officer while ground personnel are marshaling the aircraft. Under 14 CFR 121.542 (the sterile cockpit rule), is this conversation permitted?Navigation, Air Traffic Control and Procedures
  19. 269.A dispatcher is planning a Part 121 flight in a twin-engine jet where forecast weather at the departure airport is below the landing minimums that would apply if a return were required. Under 14 CFR 121.617, what is the maximum distance from the departure airport, expressed in flight time, at which a takeoff alternate may be listed for this twin-engine airplane?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  20. 270.A pilot departing a coastal airport on a calm, clear afternoon notices low cumulus clouds forming near the shoreline and a distinct wind shift from offshore to onshore as the flight approaches the coast. What phenomenon is most likely responsible for this wind shift?Meteorology and Weather Services
  21. 271.Per 14 CFR Part 25 certification standards, the net takeoff flight path for a two-engine airplane is derived from the gross takeoff flight path by applying what fixed gradient decrement to provide a margin for obstacle clearance?Aircraft Performance and Weight and Balance
  22. 272.A dispatcher is filing an IFR flight plan and must select an alternate airport that has only nonprecision instrument approaches published, with no special alternate minimums listed. Using standard IFR alternate minimums, what ceiling and visibility must be forecast at the alternate for the ETA?Navigation, Air Traffic Control and Procedures
  23. 273.During cruise flight, the captain says, 'You have the controls,' intending to transfer aircraft control to the first officer. According to standard positive exchange of flight controls procedures, what should happen next?Human Factors and CRM
  24. 274.A commercial pilot is briefed that warm, moist air is moving horizontally over a colder land or water surface, cooling the air to its dew point near the surface. Which type of fog is most likely to form under these conditions?Meteorology and Weather Services
  25. 275.During the takeoff roll of a twin-engine transport, the captain's critical engine suddenly fails at a speed below V1. The airplane is at maximum weight for the runway. Which speed defines the minimum ground speed at which the captain can maintain directional control using rudder alone, staying within 30 feet of the runway centerline, following this engine failure?Aircraft Performance and Weight and Balance
  26. 276.A Part 121 flightcrew member is placed on short-call reserve. The flightcrew member receives a call-out for an unscheduled flight duty period (FDP) at 0800 local time. What is the maximum duration the flightcrew member may be on short-call reserve, measured from the time the flightcrew member reports for the reserve assignment?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  27. 277.A Part 121 air carrier is establishing a new training program for its pilots transitioning to a different aircraft type. Under 14 CFR Part 121 Subpart N, what type of training must be included to qualify these pilots for the new aircraft?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  28. 278.A Part 121 flightcrew member is scheduled for a flight duty period (FDP) that begins at 0600 local time and is planned to end at 1600 local time. The FDP includes a scheduled rest period of 3 hours within the FDP. What is the maximum permissible FDP for this flightcrew member, assuming they are acclimated and operating with a two-pilot crew?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  29. 279.A Part 121 operator's flightcrew member reports for a flight duty period (FDP) at 0500 local time. The FDP is planned to include four flight segments. According to 14 CFR Part 117, what is the maximum number of flight segments permitted for this flightcrew member, assuming a two-pilot crew and no augmentation?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  30. 280.A Part 121 air carrier is preparing a dispatch release for a domestic flight. The destination airport has a precision approach, but the latest weather forecast for the estimated time of arrival (ETA) indicates ceilings of 300 feet and visibility of 1/2 statute mile. What is the minimum weather forecast for the destination airport to avoid listing an alternate, assuming standard alternate minimums for the approach?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  31. 281.A Part 121 air carrier is conducting a ferry flight of an aircraft that has been removed from service for scheduled maintenance. The aircraft has no passengers on board and is not carrying any cargo for hire. Which part of 14 CFR Part 121 applies to the operational requirements for this flight?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  32. 282.A Part 121 pilot has just completed an annual proficiency check required by 14 CFR 61.58 (PIC proficiency check). This check included all maneuvers and procedures appropriate to the aircraft type and the pilot's duty position. What other FAA requirement, if any, can this proficiency check fulfill?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  33. 283.A Part 121 air carrier is establishing a new training program for its pilots transitioning to a new aircraft type. Under 14 CFR 121 Subpart N, which type of training would be required for a pilot who is already qualified in another aircraft type but needs to operate the new aircraft as pilot in command?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  34. 284.A commercial pilot is scheduled to serve as pilot in command (PIC) of a Part 121 flag operation. The pilot has recently undergone a medical examination. Which class of medical certificate is required for this pilot to exercise the privileges of an Airline Transport Pilot certificate in this operation?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  35. 285.A Part 121 flightcrew member has just completed a flight duty period (FDP) and is now in a required rest period. During this rest period, the flightcrew member is notified of a schedule change that requires them to report for a new FDP earlier than originally planned. The flightcrew member was offered a Class 1 rest facility but chose to take rest at their personal residence. Assuming the rest period was interrupted, what is the minimum duration of the uninterrupted rest that must be provided to the flightcrew member before the start of the new FDP?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  36. 286.A Part 121 flight crew member has just completed a flight duty period (FDP) and is now in a required rest period. An unforeseen operational circumstance arises, and the certificate holder needs this flight crew member to report for a new FDP early. Under 14 CFR Part 117.21(c), what is the minimum duration the flight crew member's subsequent rest period must be if the current rest period is interrupted?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  37. 287.A Part 121 air carrier is preparing a dispatch release for a domestic flight. The destination airport has a single usable instrument approach procedure. The latest weather forecast for the estimated time of arrival at the destination indicates a ceiling of 800 feet and visibility of 2 miles. Under 14 CFR 121.619, what is the minimum ceiling and visibility required at the destination for this flight to be dispatched without a destination alternate?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  38. 288.A Part 121 air carrier plans to conduct a revenue flight with an aircraft that has a seating capacity of 30 passengers. The flight will operate at an altitude where supplemental oxygen is required for the entire flight crew. According to 14 CFR 121.333, what is the minimum duration of supplemental oxygen supply required for this operation for each flight crewmember?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  39. 289.A Part 121 air carrier is conducting a flight with 55 passengers on board. What is the minimum number of flight attendants required for this flight?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  40. 290.A Part 121 operator wants to implement a system to proactively identify and manage fatigue risks in its flight operations. Which program, as specified in 14 CFR Part 117, would best address this goal?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  41. 291.Under 14 CFR Part 117, a flightcrew member is scheduled for a flight duty period (FDP) that includes a segment that departs at 0100 local time. This segment falls within the Window of Circadian Low (WOCL). What is the maximum flight time permissible for this flightcrew member during this FDP, assuming they are acclimated and the FDP is scheduled for a single flight segment with two pilots?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  42. 292.A Part 121 operator's flightcrew member is placed on short-call reserve. The flightcrew member receives a call for an assignment at 1000 local time and is required to report for duty at 1200 local time. What is the latest time the flightcrew member must report for duty to be considered within the reserve availability period (RAP)?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  43. 293.An Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) is scheduled to serve as pilot in command for a Part 121 flight. Before accepting the assignment, the pilot feels unusually fatigued due to a recent illness. Under 14 CFR Part 117, what is the pilot's responsibility regarding fitness for duty?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  44. 294.A Part 121 air carrier is evaluating a new aircraft type for potential acquisition. The aircraft has a minimum flight crew of two pilots and a maximum certified seating capacity of 180 passengers. What is the minimum number of flight attendants required for this aircraft during revenue operations?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  45. 295.A pilot is planning an IFR flight at FL270 within the continental United States. Which publication would provide the most appropriate and detailed information regarding en route navigation, communication frequencies, and air traffic control procedures?Navigation, Air Traffic Control and Procedures
  46. 296.A pilot is flying an IFR flight plan and is advised by ATC to expect clearance for an RNAV (GPS) approach. The pilot notices the GPS system indicates 'RAIM NOT AVAILABLE'. What action should the pilot take?Navigation, Air Traffic Control and Procedures
  47. 297.A Part 121 air carrier is planning a domestic flight. The destination airport has a single runway and no instrument approach procedures available. What is the minimum weather forecast for the estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the destination airport that would allow the flight to be dispatched without an alternate airport?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  48. 298.Under 14 CFR Part 117, a flightcrew member is scheduled for a flight duty period (FDP) that infringes on the Window of Circadian Low (WOCL) by 3 hours. Assuming a 2-pilot unaugmented crew, what is the maximum flight time permitted for this FDP?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  49. 299.A Part 121 air carrier is conducting a flight under 14 CFR Part 117. A flightcrew member is placed on short-call reserve. The flightcrew member receives a call notifying them of an assignment at 1000 local time, requiring them to report for duty at 1200 local time. At what time does the flightcrew member's flight duty period (FDP) begin?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)
  50. 300.A commercial pilot is scheduled to serve as pilot in command (PIC) for a Part 121 flag operation. What class medical certificate must this pilot hold to exercise ATP privileges?Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)