FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) flashcards

Restricted Areas contain unusual hazards and may be entered with authorization; Prohibited Areas bar all flight entirely, typically for national security.

• Restricted Areas: identified by 'R-' and a number, hazards like artillery fire
• Prohibited Areas: identified by 'P-' and a number, entry never authorized for transient aircraft
• Both are depicted on sectional charts with blue hatched borders

Memory trick: 'P for Positively No, R for Request first'

Vx (best angle of climb) maximizes altitude gained per unit of horizontal distance and is used for obstacles close to the runway; Vy (best rate of climb) maximizes altitude gained per unit of time.

• Vx: steepest climb angle, best for close obstacles
• Vy: fastest altitude gain over time, best for distant obstacles
• Vx is normally lower than Vy

Memory trick: X marks the Xtra steep angle for close trees

A rapid change in wind speed and/or direction over a short vertical distance, often occurring at night when a temperature inversion traps calm surface winds beneath stronger winds aloft.

• Common on clear, calm nights with strong radiational cooling
• Can cause sudden airspeed loss or gain during climb/descent
• Often associated with a low-level nocturnal jet

Memory trick: Calm below, jet above the inversion — a shear sandwich.

Before a student's first solo, the instructor must give pre-solo flight training and administer a knowledge test on specified subject areas, then endorse the student's logbook.

• Knowledge test given and graded by instructor
• Covers applicable operating limitations and aircraft systems
• Pre-solo flight training must cover maneuvers/procedures of that make/model
• Endorsement made in student's logbook, valid for that aircraft

Memory trick: Know it before you fly it solo.

Sectional charts use shading to depict the floor of Class E airspace: magenta vignette for 700 ft AGL, blue vignette for 1,200 ft AGL, and no shading (default) for 14,500 ft MSL.

• Magenta vignette = 700 ft AGL floor
• Blue vignette = 1,200 ft AGL floor
• Dashed magenta line = surface area (extends to ground)
• No shading = default floor of 14,500 ft MSL

Memory trick: 'Blue is Bigger number (1,200), Magenta is Modest (700)'

As density altitude increases, true airspeed exceeds indicated airspeed by approximately 2% for every 1,000 feet of density altitude.

• TAS ≈ IAS × (1 + 0.02 × DA in thousands)
• Thinner air requires higher TAS for same dynamic pressure
• Used for quick in-flight TAS estimates

Memory trick: Two Percent per Thousand — thin air needs more speed

A review required under 14 CFR 61.57(d) when a pilot's instrument currency has lapsed more than six calendar months, conducted with an authorized instructor or examiner.

• Required after currency lapse exceeds 6 calendar months
• Conducted with a CFII, examiner, or other authorized person
• Covers tasks from the Instrument Rating ACS at instructor's discretion
• Restores eligibility to act as PIC under IFR

Memory trick: 'Past six months, call an instructor' — self-logging no longer counts.

14 CFR 91.119 sets altitude minimums varying by area type: general safety, congested areas, and other areas including sparsely populated/open water.

• (a) General: safe emergency landing capability everywhere
• (b) Congested areas: 1,000 ft above highest obstacle within 2,000 ft horizontal
• (c) Other areas: 500 ft above surface, or 500 ft from any person/vessel/vehicle/structure

Memory trick: '1,000 over crowds, 500 over the rest.'

As fuel is consumed from tanks located forward of the CG, the airplane's CG shifts aft during flight, requiring in-flight CG limit verification for long flights.

• Removing weight forward of CG shifts CG aft
• Removing weight aft of CG shifts CG forward
• Pilots must check CG at both takeoff and landing weights

Memory trick: Burn in Front, Balance drifts Back

The GFA is a web-based, continuously updated graphical tool that replaced the textual Area Forecast for the CONUS, showing forecast weather hazards such as clouds, ceiling/visibility, icing, turbulence, and wind.

• Replaced the text Area Forecast (FA) for CONUS
• Interactive maps viewable at aviationweather.gov
• Depicts ceiling/visibility, clouds, icing, turbulence, and winds

Memory trick: GFA: Graphics For Aviators replaced the words

Vertical or near-vertical extensions at the wingtip that reduce the strength of wingtip vortices, lowering induced drag and improving fuel efficiency.

• Reduce induced drag by weakening wingtip vortices
• Aerodynamically similar to increasing wingspan/aspect ratio
• Most beneficial in cruise where induced drag is a larger share of total drag

Memory trick: Winglets whittle away the whirl at the wingtip.

On a cambered airfoil, the center of pressure moves forward as AOA increases toward the critical angle, then moves rapidly aft once the wing stalls, affecting pitch stability.

• Forward CP movement at increasing AOA can contribute to pitch-up tendency
• After stall, CP moves rapidly aft, contributing to pitch-down (nose drop)
• Symmetrical airfoils have a nearly fixed CP regardless of AOA

Memory trick: CP creeps forward as AOA climbs, then bolts aft after the stall

Airspace within 30 NM of a Class B primary airport, from the surface up to 10,000 ft MSL, where an operating Mode C transponder is required under 91.215, regardless of entry into Class B.

• Applies even if not entering the Class B airspace.
• Extends from surface to 10,000 ft MSL.
• Exceptions exist for aircraft not originally certificated with an electrical system.

Memory trick: 'Thirty miles, ten thousand feet — the veil sees your altitude.'

A graph plotting weight versus moment (or moment index) showing the boundaries within which the CG must fall; some aircraft have separate envelopes for normal and utility categories.

• X-axis is typically moment or moment index; Y-axis is weight
• Loaded point must fall within the envelope for the intended category
• Utility category envelope is often narrower, restricting CG range for aerobatic maneuvers

Memory trick: Inside the box, you're good to go — outside means one category's a no.

An oxygen delivery system that mixes cabin air with oxygen in proportion to altitude and delivers the mixture only during inhalation.

• More economical than continuous-flow
• Automatically adjusts oxygen percentage with altitude
• Common in crew oxygen masks in pressurized aircraft

Memory trick: 'Demand it, dilute it—breathe only what you need'

An airplane rotates about three axes intersecting at the CG: longitudinal (roll), lateral (pitch), and vertical (yaw), each controlled by a specific flight control.

• Longitudinal axis/ailerons/roll/lateral stability
• Lateral axis/elevator/pitch/longitudinal stability
• Vertical axis/rudder/yaw/directional stability

Memory trick: 'ELP-Y': Elevator-Lateral-Pitch, Yaw-Vertical-rudder, Longitudinal-aileron-roll.

A safety switch on the landing gear strut that prevents gear retraction while the aircraft's weight is on the wheels.

• Located on the main landing gear strut
• Interrupts the gear retraction electrical circuit on the ground
• Distinct from airspeed-based automatic extension systems

Memory trick: 'Squat down, lock the gear up switch—no retracting while standing'

Prohibits operating an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another, independent of other specific regulations.

• Catch-all regulation used when no specific rule fits the hazard
• Applies both in flight and on the surface (movement area)
• Can be cited even if the pilot complied with altitude/airspace minimums

Memory trick: 'Careless' catches what other rules miss.

Required before acting as PIC of an airplane with an engine rated at more than 200 horsepower, based solely on horsepower.

• Threshold is >200 hp, regardless of gear or prop type
• Requires ground/flight training and logbook proficiency endorsement
• Grandfather clause exists for PIC time logged before August 4, 1997

Memory trick: Horsepower makes it 'high-performance'; gadgets make it 'complex.'

A ground reference maneuver requiring the pilot to fly a series of half-circles of equal radius on opposite sides of a straight line, correcting bank angle for wind drift.

• Steepest bank immediately after crossing the road downwind
• Shallowest bank when turning into the wind
• Maintains constant radius track despite changing groundspeed

Memory trick: 'Downwind = dive the bank steep, upwind = ease it shallow.'

A VFR flight plan must be closed with Flight Service or ATC upon landing; failure to do so results in search and rescue efforts beginning about 1 hour after the estimated arrival time.

• Always close flight plan promptly after landing
• Failure triggers an ALNOT (alert notice) for search and rescue
• Flight plans are not automatically closed upon landing

Memory trick: 'File it, Fly it, Close it — or Search begins in an hour.'

Tailwind components significantly increase landing distance because they increase groundspeed at touchdown without reducing required aerodynamic speed.

• Even small tailwinds cause disproportionately large distance increases
• POH tables often give percentage corrections per knot or per 2 knots of tailwind
• Tailwind landings should generally be avoided when a headwind option exists

Memory trick: Tailwind tacks on trouble, three increments of ten

Operators must immediately notify the nearest NTSB field office following an accident, defined as an occurrence involving substantial damage to the aircraft or serious/fatal injury.

• Substantial damage includes structural repairs like a bent spar
• Excludes minor items like landing gear, prop ground-strike damage, or small dents
• Follow-up report NTSB Form 6120.1 filed within 10 days

Memory trick: Bend the spar, ring the NTSB — fast.

When the alternate static source (vented inside an unpressurized cabin) is used, cabin pressure is usually slightly lower than true ambient pressure, causing pitot-static instruments to read differently than normal.

• Airspeed and altitude typically read slightly higher than actual
• VSI may show a brief false climb during the transition
• Pilots should consult the POH for exact correction values

Memory trick: Cabin air is 'thin' from airflow, so gauges think you're higher and faster than you are.

FD forecasts encode wind direction, speed, and temperature in groups of digits, with special rules for high-speed winds at high altitudes.

• First two digits = wind direction (tens of degrees)
• Next two digits = wind speed in knots
• At or above 24,000 ft, if speed is 100-199 kt, add 50 to direction and subtract 100 from speed

Memory trick: Add 50 to direction, subtract 100 from speed when winds roar past 100 knots up high

A certificate holder must notify the FAA in writing within 30 days of any change of permanent mailing address, or they may not exercise the certificate's privileges thereafter.

• Written notice required within 30 days
• Sent to the FAA Airman Certification Branch
• Failure to notify restricts exercising certificate privileges after 30 days

Memory trick: Move house? Mail the FAA within 30 days or your wings are grounded.

Loading an airplane near its aft CG limit reduces longitudinal stability, lowers stall speed slightly, and makes stall/spin recovery more difficult.

• Aft CG = less tail download needed = lower stall speed
• Aft CG reduces static stability
• Aft CG makes stall/spin recovery harder due to less elevator authority

Memory trick: Aft = A Floppy Tail (less control, less stability)

A pilot may log instrument time for any period flown solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated conditions; this time can be logged concurrently with PIC time if the pilot is sole manipulator and rated for the aircraft.

• Actual IMC or a view-limiting device with a safety pilot both qualify
• No safety pilot required if flying actual IMC solo as PIC
• Time can be logged simultaneously as instrument and PIC time

Memory trick: In the clouds alone as PIC? Log it twice — instrument AND PIC.

A backup vacuum source, often utilizing engine manifold pressure through a check valve, that continues to power vacuum-driven gyroscopic instruments if the primary vacuum pump fails.

• Commonly used in light single-engine aircraft as a low-cost redundancy
• Draws vacuum from manifold pressure differential, most effective at higher power settings
• Activated manually by the pilot via a valve or switch when primary vacuum fails

Memory trick: When the pump quits, the manifold takes the shift

FDC NOTAMs are issued by the FAA National Flight Data Center and contain regulatory information, including amended instrument approach procedures, airway changes, and TFRs.

• Issued by the National Flight Data Center
• Contain regulatory content, unlike routine 'D' NOTAMs
• Include TFRs and amendments to charted procedures
• Found via 1800wxbrief.com or FAA NOTAM search, not always in standard briefings without request

Memory trick: 'FDC = Federal Directives and Changes (regulatory)'

A safety device in the aircraft electrical system that disconnects the alternator field circuit if output voltage exceeds a safe limit, protecting avionics and the battery from damage.

• Typically trips around 16-17V in a 14V system (30-32V in 28V systems)
• Opens alternator field circuit to stop output
• Triggers ALT warning light; battery remains as sole power source

Memory trick: Overvoltage relay 'pulls the plug' on the alternator field to save the avionics

Fixed or automatic openings near the wing's leading edge that direct high-energy airflow over the upper surface, delaying boundary layer separation and increasing stall angle of attack.

• Increase both critical AOA and CLmax
• Can be fixed or automatic (slats that extend under aerodynamic load)
• Different from flaps, which primarily increase camber

Memory trick: Slots = a garden hose feeding fresh energy onto a tired boundary layer

To act as PIC under IFR, a pilot must have logged 6 instrument approaches, holding procedures, and course intercepting/tracking within the preceding 6 calendar months.

• Requirement: 6 approaches, holding, intercepting/tracking courses
• Time window: preceding 6 calendar months
• If lapsed: 6 more months grace, then IPC required (61.57(d))

Memory trick: 'Six in Six' — six approaches, six months.

In most light airplanes, the attitude indicator and heading indicator are powered by engine-driven vacuum pumps.

• Turn coordinator is usually electric as a backup gyro source
• Vacuum pump failure causes gradual, insidious instrument errors
• Pitot-static instruments are unaffected by vacuum failure

Memory trick: 'Vacuum powers the Attitude and Heading pair—everything else has its own supply'

A maneuver requiring the pilot to fly at minimum controllable airspeed while maintaining precise control of altitude, heading, and airspeed.

• Altitude tolerance: ±100 feet
• Heading tolerance: ±10 degrees
• Airspeed tolerance: +10/-0 knots

Memory trick: '100 up or down' keeps slow flight in bounds.

RVR is an instrument-derived value, expressed in feet, representing the horizontal distance a pilot can see down the runway, used for precision approach minimums.

• Measured by transmissometers or other RVR sensors near the runway
• Reported in hundreds of feet (e.g., RVR 2400 = 2,400 feet)
• Provides more precise visibility data than general surface visibility

Memory trick: RVR: Runway's Very own Range, in feet not miles

Required by 61.31(i) before acting as PIC of a tailwheel airplane; training must cover normal/crosswind takeoffs and landings, wheel landings (if applicable), and go-arounds.

• Must include normal and crosswind takeoffs/landings
• Wheel landings required unless manufacturer advises against them
• Go-around procedures must also be trained and logged

Memory trick: Tailwheel = 'three-point AND wheel, crosswind too, don't forget the go-around.'

To maintain lift equal to weight at a lower airspeed, angle of attack (and CL) must increase to compensate for the reduced V² term in the lift equation.

• Lift = CL × 0.5ρV²S
• Lower V requires higher CL/AOA for same lift
• This tradeoff continues until critical AOA (stall) is reached

Memory trick: Slow down, pitch up — the wing trades speed for angle to keep the same lift.

Aspect ratio is the ratio of wingspan squared to wing area; higher aspect ratio wings (long, narrow) produce less induced drag than lower aspect ratio wings (short, wide) of the same area.

• Aspect ratio = span² / wing area
• High aspect ratio = long, narrow wing (e.g., gliders)
• Induced drag decreases as aspect ratio increases
• Low aspect ratio wings have proportionally greater wingtip vortex influence

Memory trick: 'Long and lean cuts the vortex scene' — high AR = less induced drag

A graphical chart, updated every 3 hours, that shows current ceiling and visibility categories (IFR, MVFR, VFR) at reporting stations across the country, primarily used for preflight planning.

• IFR: ceiling <1,000 ft and/or visibility <3 SM (heavily shaded)
• MVFR: ceiling 1,000-3,000 ft and/or visibility 3-5 SM (hatched contour, no shading)
• VFR: ceiling >3,000 ft and visibility >5 SM (unshaded)

Memory trick: Shaded = socked in (IFR); clear = clear skies (VFR).

UTC is the standard time reference used in aviation; local times must be converted to UTC using the correct zone offset.

• EST = UTC−5
• EDT = UTC−4
• Always add the offset when converting from EST/EDT to UTC

Memory trick: 'Eastern Standard, add five to go global'

A maximum-performance 180° climbing turn that maximizes altitude gain while the airplane rolls out wings-level, on the opposite heading, at an airspeed just above stall.

• Entry at maneuvering speed (Va)
• 180° direction change with maximum altitude gain
• Completed just above stalling speed, wings level

Memory trick: Chandelle = 'climb and turn, end near stall, opposite direction.'

Lift can be explained by the wing deflecting airflow downward; the equal and opposite reaction force acts upward on the wing.

• Action: wing deflects air downward
• Reaction: equal upward force on wing
• Complements, does not replace, Bernoulli's explanation

Memory trick: Push air down, plane goes up

Low-altitude Federal Airways based on VOR radials, extending 4 NM either side of centerline (8 NM total width), from 1,200 ft AGL up to but not including 18,000 ft MSL.

• Depicted in blue on sectional/en route low charts.
• Floor is 1,200 ft AGL unless otherwise charted.
• Ceiling is 17,999 ft MSL; Class A begins at 18,000 ft MSL.

Memory trick: 'Victor is 8 wide, 4 each side, like a four-lane highway.'

The Commercial Pilot ACS requires performance maneuvers like chandelles, lazy eights, and steep spirals to be conducted no lower than 1,500 feet AGL.

• Applies to chandelles, lazy eights, steep spirals
• Ensures margin for recovery and terrain clearance
• Distinct from the general 91.119 minimum safe altitude rule
• Applicant must maintain awareness of altitude throughout maneuver

Memory trick: 'Fifteen hundred keeps you safe and steady' for chandelles, lazy eights, and spirals.

A long-period, lightly damped longitudinal oscillation involving a gradual interchange between airspeed and pitch attitude/altitude, occurring at essentially constant angle of attack.

• Period often ranges from 20 to over 60 seconds
• Angle of attack remains nearly constant throughout
• Minimal effect on bank angle or heading
• Usually only mildly divergent or convergent, easily controlled by the pilot

Memory trick: 'Phugoid = slow float' — long, gentle rise and fall of speed and pitch

Stall speed increases with the square root of the ratio of new weight to old weight, since lift required to sustain flight increases with weight.

• Formula: New Vs = Old Vs × √(New Weight / Old Weight)
• A 21% weight increase raises stall speed by about 10%
• Heavier airplanes always stall at a higher indicated airspeed at 1G

Memory trick: Square root the weight ratio to find the new stall gate

Required training for pilots acting as PIC of a pressurized airplane capable of operating above 25,000 feet MSL, covering high-altitude physiology and pressurization systems.

• Applies to pressurized airplanes operating above FL250
• Includes ground training on hypoxia, gas expansion, decompression sickness
• Includes flight training on proper operation of pressurization systems
• Requires logbook endorsement of training completion

Memory trick: 'Above 25, know your physio' before flying pressurized high.

The density altitude at which the airplane's maximum rate of climb decreases to 100 feet per minute.

• Service ceiling = 100 fpm max climb
• Absolute ceiling = 0 fpm max climb
• Both decrease with increased weight or density altitude

Memory trick: Service stops at a hundred (fpm), Absolute stops at zero

A flight instructor may only provide flight training in an aircraft for which they hold the appropriate category and class rating on their flight instructor certificate.

• CFI ratings must match the aircraft category/class being taught
• Underlying pilot certificate ratings do not substitute for CFI ratings
• Applies to initial and additional CFI ratings alike

Memory trick: Your CFI certificate only teaches what it's rated to teach.

AIRMETs warn of weather hazardous mainly to light aircraft; SIGMETs warn of severe weather hazardous to all aircraft.

• AIRMET Sierra: IFR/mountain obscuration
• AIRMET Tango: turbulence/strong winds
• AIRMET Zulu: icing/freezing level
• SIGMET: severe icing/turbulence, dust storms, volcanic ash

Memory trick: SIGMET is SIGnificant for everyone; AIRMET is for the little AIRcraft.

Static stability is the initial tendency of an aircraft to return to equilibrium after a disturbance; dynamic stability describes whether the resulting oscillations increase, decrease, or remain constant over time.

• Positive static stability: initial tendency to return to equilibrium
• Positive dynamic stability: oscillations decrease over time (damped)
• Negative dynamic stability: oscillations increase over time (divergent)
• An airplane can have positive static stability but negative dynamic stability

Memory trick: 'Static = first move, Dynamic = the whole dance'

A GPS integrity monitoring function that detects satellite signal errors using redundant satellite measurements, essential for non-WAAS approaches.

• Requires minimum satellite geometry (usually 5 satellites)
• Alerts pilot if integrity cannot be assured
• Not needed when using WAAS due to built-in integrity monitoring

Memory trick: 'RAIM = Reliability Alarm In My navigation'

Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature; higher density altitude reduces aircraft and engine performance.

• Standard temp decreases 2°C per 1,000 ft from 15°C at sea level
• Rule of thumb: add ~120 ft density altitude per °C above standard
• High density altitude reduces lift, engine power, and propeller efficiency

Memory trick: Hot and high, performance says goodbye.

Airspace depicted with a dashed blue line where pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flying, established to protect ground-based assets; may become mandatory via NOTAM.

• Not automatically restrictive unless a NOTAM makes it mandatory.
• Depicted with dashed blue border on sectional charts.
• Different from MOAs, Restricted, and Prohibited areas.

Memory trick: 'Blue dashes, please stay away — NSA asks nicely.'

Frost forms on cold surfaces when clear skies and calm winds allow radiational cooling to drop surface temperature below the frost point, causing water vapor to deposit directly as ice.

• Requires clear skies for radiational cooling
• Calm winds prevent mixing that would slow cooling
• Surface temperature must fall to or below the frost point

Memory trick: Clear and calm, frost forms like a charm

Used to calculate how far the CG moves when a known weight is relocated within the aircraft, without recomputing the full weight and balance.

• CG shift = (weight moved × distance moved) ÷ total aircraft weight
• Also used to find how much weight must be moved a known distance to achieve a desired CG shift
• Distance moved = difference between old and new arm

Memory trick: Move the weight, share the load: shift equals (weight×distance)/total load.

Endurance is how long fuel will last (fuel quantity ÷ fuel flow); range is the distance covered in that time (endurance × groundspeed).

• Endurance (hr) = usable fuel ÷ fuel flow (GPH)
• Range (nm) = endurance × groundspeed
• Range decreases with headwind, increases with tailwind
• Always plan for a fuel reserve beyond calculated range

Memory trick: 'Fuel divided by flow gives time; time times speed gives distance.'

The forced ascent of air as it flows over rising terrain, causing cooling, condensation, and cloud formation on the windward side; descending air on the leeward side warms and dries, sometimes producing chinook winds.

• Windward side: clouds, precipitation, turbulence
• Leeward side: clear skies, warm/dry downslope winds
• Can create severe turbulence and mountain wave activity downwind

Memory trick: Up the mountain: clouds form. Down the mountain: air warms.

Airspace from 18,000 ft MSL up to and including FL600 where all flights must operate under IFR with an ATC clearance.

• No VFR flight allowed
• Requires an instrument rating and clearance
• Extends over the entire contiguous U.S. and Alaska

Memory trick: 'A' is for Always IFR above 18,000!