FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA) flashcards

Sectional aeronautical charts are revised on a 56-day cycle; pilots must use the current edition to ensure accurate airspace, obstruction, and frequency information.

• Revision cycle: every 56 days
• Effective date printed on chart border
• Outdated charts may show incorrect airspace or obstacles
• NOTAMs supplement charts for real-time changes

Memory trick: 56 days keeps your chart from decay

A pitot-static malfunction where the pitot inlet is blocked but the drain hole remains open, causing the airspeed indicator to behave like an altimeter, increasing in climbs and decreasing in descents.

• Trapped pitot pressure stays constant at the pressure when the blockage occurred
• Static pressure continues to act on the instrument via the open drain hole
• ASI falsely shows increasing airspeed in climbs, decreasing in descents

Memory trick: Blocked pitot with open drain turns your ASI into a fake altimeter

At an airport without an operating control tower and no indicated alternate pattern, all traffic pattern turns must be made to the left.

• Default rule under 14 CFR 91.126(b)
• Right-hand patterns must be indicated by markings/segmented circle
• Applies in Class G airspace at surface

Memory trick: Left is Legal by default at uncontrolled fields

A state of reduced mental and physical performance resulting from lack of sleep, extended wakefulness, or physical/mental exertion.

• Being awake 20+ hours can mimic 0.08 BAC impairment
• Acute fatigue is relieved by sleep; chronic fatigue accumulates over days
• Impairs judgment, reaction time, and attention

Memory trick: '20 hours awake = one drink deep' impairment level

Color-coded markings on the airspeed indicator that denote specific operating speed ranges for the aircraft.

• White arc: flap operating range (VS0 to VFE)
• Green arc: normal operating range (VS1 to VNO)
• Yellow arc: caution range, smooth control inputs only
• Red line: never-exceed speed (VNE)

Memory trick: White is for wings with flaps down and slow

A stable atmosphere resists vertical air movement, resulting in smooth air, stratiform clouds, and restricted visibility; an unstable atmosphere favors vertical currents, cumulus clouds, and turbulence.

• Stable air: smooth, stratiform clouds, poor visibility from trapped haze
• Unstable air: turbulent, cumuliform clouds, good visibility, showery precipitation
• Temperature inversions promote stability

Memory trick: 'Stable = Still and Smoggy'

A visual ground marking at non-towered airports that shows traffic pattern information, including runway alignment and turn direction, along with a wind direction indicator.

• Located near the center of the airport
• Landing strip indicators show runway alignment
• Traffic pattern indicators show turn direction (left/right)
• A wind sock or tetrahedron shows wind direction

Memory trick: Segmented circle = the airport's traffic pattern cheat-sheet

A personal self-assessment checklist pilots use before flight to evaluate physical and mental fitness.

• Stands for Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Eating
• Used as a personal go/no-go tool before every flight
• A single 'no-go' item should prompt reconsideration of the flight

Memory trick: I'm Safe to fly only if I check all six letters.

The lowest airspace class has the least restrictive VFR weather minimums when flying low and during daylight.

• Below 1,200 ft AGL, day: 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds
• Below 1,200 ft AGL, night: 3 SM, 500 below/1,000 above/2,000 horizontal
• Above 1,200 AGL but below 10,000 MSL: 1 SM day, 3 SM night

Memory trick: 'G is for Ground level, Get by with less' — low Class G day minimums are the easiest.

A radial is always a magnetic course measured FROM the VOR station outward; a TO indication means the OBS setting is a course flying toward the station, so the radial is the reciprocal of that setting.

• Radial = course FROM the station
• TO indication + OBS = course toward the station
• Radial = OBS setting ± 180° when indication is TO

Memory trick: 'TO means you're headed toward home, so you're standing on the opposite radial.'

Fog that forms when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a colder surface, cooling the air below its dew point.

• Common along coastlines and over cold ocean currents
• Can occur with wind, unlike radiation fog
• Often extends over large areas and can be persistent
• Requires horizontal air movement (advection) to transport the moist air

Memory trick: Advection = Air on the Move over a cold sea.

Controlled airspace from 18,000 feet MSL to FL600 where all operations must be conducted under IFR with ATC clearance.

• Extends 18,000 MSL to FL600
• IFR operations only, no VFR allowed
• Sport pilots cannot operate here — no instrument rating allowed under 61.315

Memory trick: 'A' is for Always IFR — sport pilots stay out.

A risk-management framework dividing flight risks into four categories: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External pressures.

• Helps pilots systematically assess risk before flight
• External pressures include get-there-itis and social obligations
• Each category should be evaluated individually before departure

Memory trick: Pilots Always Value Every risk category.

Thunderstorms develop through three stages—cumulus, mature, and dissipating—each defined by the dominant vertical air movement present.

• Cumulus stage: updrafts only, cloud building, no rain yet
• Mature stage: updrafts and downdrafts coexist, heaviest rain/lightning, most hazardous
• Dissipating stage: downdrafts dominate, storm weakens

Memory trick: 'Cumulus builds, Mature explodes, Dissipating fades'

The mistaken belief that accidents happen to others but not to oneself, leading to underestimation of risk.

• One of the FAA's five hazardous attitudes
• Antidote thought: 'It could happen to me'
• Common among experienced pilots who feel overconfident

Memory trick: AIM for safety: Anti-authority, Impulsivity, Invulnerability, Macho, Resignation.

True airspeed (TAS) exceeds indicated airspeed (IAS) as altitude increases because air density decreases; a common rule of thumb is a 2% increase in TAS per 1,000 feet of altitude.

• TAS = IAS approximately corrected for density altitude
• Rule of thumb: add ~2% per 1,000 ft MSL
• Used for flight planning and fuel calculations

Memory trick: Higher you fly, faster the true speed flies.

The weather depiction chart uses a smooth solid line to enclose areas of IFR weather and a scalloped/dashed line to enclose areas of marginal VFR (MVFR) weather; areas outside these contours are VFR.

• Smooth solid line = IFR (ceiling <1,000 ft and/or vis <3 SM)
• Scalloped/dashed line = MVFR (ceiling 1,000-3,000 ft or vis 3-5 SM)
• No contour = VFR conditions

Memory trick: Smooth line = 'solidly bad' (IFR); scalloped = 'so-so' (marginal).

A local wind that blows from sea to land during the day, caused by land heating faster than water and creating a pressure differential.

• Occurs during daytime as land heats faster than water
• Land breeze is the reverse, occurring at night as land cools faster
• Most pronounced on clear, calm days near coastlines

Memory trick: Sea breeze blows in by day (land hot, air rises); land breeze blows out by night.

The aircraft being overtaken has right-of-way; the overtaking aircraft must alter course to the right to pass clear.

• 14 CFR 91.113(g) governs overtaking situations
• Applies in the air and while taxiing
• Right turn required, not left

Memory trick: Overtaker turns Right, like passing on a highway

A pilot's position can be fixed by identifying two VOR radials from different stations; the aircraft is located at the intersection where both radial lines cross.

• A radial is defined as a course FROM the station, matching a compass direction
• 090° radial = due east of the station; 180° radial = due south
• Two radials from different stations intersect to give a position fix

Memory trick: Radial = compass direction pointing away FROM the station.

ELT batteries must be replaced/recharged after 1 cumulative hour of use or 50% of useful life, whichever comes first (14 CFR 91.207(c)).

• Applies to both usage time and calendar-based battery life
• Date of replacement must be marked on the battery/ELT
• Applies to most airplanes carrying an ELT under 91.207

Memory trick: 'One hour used or half its life—whichever hits first, swap the battery.'

A sport pilot must receive training and a logbook endorsement for each additional aircraft category and class before acting as PIC.

• Applies under 14 CFR 61.31
• Endorsement must be from an authorized instructor
• Privileges are limited to endorsed categories/classes only

Memory trick: New category, new class, new signature needed.

When an airport's control tower operates only part-time, the Class D airspace is only in effect during the tower's published hours; outside those hours, it reverts to the underlying airspace (often Class E surface area or Class G).

• Tower operating hours are noted on the sectional or Chart Supplement
• Dashed magenta line indicates underlying Class E surface area
• After hours, pilots use CTAF and self-announce procedures
• No two-way radio clearance is required outside tower hours

Memory trick: When the tower sleeps, the sky reverts to E

A shading technique using graduated colors (typically greens to browns) to represent bands of terrain elevation on aeronautical charts.

• Works together with contour lines to show terrain relief
• Darker shades generally represent higher elevation
• Elevation bands and colors are defined in the chart legend
• Different from the Maximum Elevation Figure, which is a single number per quadrangle

Memory trick: 'Darker brown, higher ground' — like a topographic paint-by-numbers

A sport pilot may substitute a valid U.S. driver's license for a medical certificate if certain conditions in 61.23(c) are met.

• Most recent medical application must not have been denied/suspended/revoked
• Must comply with all license restrictions
• No prior medical certificate history required

Memory trick: Driver's license works unless FAA already said 'no' to you.

Prohibits operating an aircraft in a manner that endangers the life or property of others.

• Applies to all phases of flight, including ground operations
• Common violations include low buzzing and unsafe aerobatics near people
• Can result in certificate suspension or revocation

Memory trick: 'Buzzing the beach breaks the careless rule.'

A light-sport aircraft's maximum level-flight speed with maximum continuous power (Vh) may not exceed 120 knots CAS.

• Defined in 14 CFR 1.1
• Exceeding 120 knots disqualifies aircraft as LSA
• Separate from stall speed (Vs1) limit of 45 knots CAS

Memory trick: '120 is the top' - Vh can't top 120 knots for LSA.

Defines when a pilot may log pilot-in-command time, including sole occupancy during authorized solo flight.

• Sole occupant of the aircraft may log PIC time
• Sole manipulator of controls for which rated may log PIC time
• Applies to student pilots during authorized solo flights

Memory trick: 'Alone in the plane? Log it as PIC time.'

To fly the correct compass heading, sequentially apply wind correction angle, magnetic variation, and compass deviation to the true course using the mnemonic 'True Virgins Make Dull Company, Add Whiskey' (TVMDC, East is Least/West is Best in reverse for corrections).

• TH = TC + WCA (right WCA adds, left subtracts)
• MH = TH − Variation(East) or + Variation(West)
• CH = MH + Deviation (apply sign as given on compass card)

Memory trick: 'True Virgins Make Dull Company' — True, Variation, Magnetic, Deviation, Compass.

Aircraft structural icing forms when supercooled water droplets freeze on contact with the airframe; the type depends on droplet size and cloud type.

• Clear ice: large droplets, cumuliform clouds, smooth and hard
• Rime ice: small droplets, stratiform clouds, rough and milky
• Mixed ice: combination of clear and rime characteristics

Memory trick: 'Clear ice: glassy and stubborn, like a frozen lake on the wing'

A sport pilot may carry no more than one passenger at a time, consistent with the two-seat maximum for light-sport aircraft.

• 14 CFR 61.315(c)(9) caps passengers at one
• LSA definition limits aircraft to 2 occupants total
• Passenger currency (61.57) still applies separately

Memory trick: Sport pilot = 'party of two' max, pilot plus one

A logbook endorsement required before acting as PIC of a tailwheel airplane, certifying training in tailwheel-specific skills.

• Requires training in normal/crosswind takeoffs and landings, wheel landings, and go-arounds
• Endorsement given by an authorized instructor
• No FAA practical test required

Memory trick: 'Tailwheels need training tails before you fly them solo.'

A toxic condition caused by inhaling carbon monoxide, often from cracked exhaust systems venting into aircraft cabin heaters, which binds to hemoglobin and blocks oxygen transport.

• Common source: heater exchangers near a cracked exhaust manifold
• Early symptoms include headache and drowsiness; later symptoms include cherry-red skin and loss of muscle control
• Colorless, odorless gas, making detectors or awareness essential

Memory trick: Headache, Haze, Handicap, Hue — the CO symptom ladder.

A spatial disorientation illusion where a pilot in a prolonged, unperceived turn pulls back on the controls, tightening the descending spiral.

• Vestibular system stops sensing rotation after ~20 seconds, feels level
• Pulling back on the yoke steepens bank and increases descent
• Correct recovery: level wings on the attitude indicator first, then adjust pitch

Memory trick: Feels level, spirals to the grave — check the gauges, save the day.

The highest charted elevation, including terrain and obstacles, within a quadrangle of latitude/longitude on a sectional chart, rounded up to guarantee at least 100 feet of clearance.

• Large number = thousands of feet, small number = hundreds
• Value is MSL, not AGL
• Provides minimum 100 ft (up to 328 ft in mountainous quadrangles) of vertical clearance

Memory trick: Big number thousands, little number hundreds — MEF keeps you above the peaks.

Allows the pilot in command to deviate from any Part 91 rule to the extent required to meet an in-flight emergency.

• PIC has final authority over the operation of the aircraft (91.3(a))
• Deviation must be limited to what the emergency requires
• FAA may request a written report of the deviation upon request

Memory trick: 'When danger strikes, the captain breaks the rules — briefly.'

VA is the maximum speed at which full, abrupt control deflection can be used without exceeding the airplane's structural limits; it decreases as aircraft weight decreases.

• VA is published for maximum gross weight
• At lighter weights, actual VA is lower than published VA
• Formula: VA(new) = VA(old) × √(weight new ÷ weight old)

Memory trick: Lighter airplane, lower VA — less weight needs less speed to stall protectively

Sectional chart borders are marked with tick marks representing minutes of latitude and longitude, used to precisely plot geographic coordinates.

• Each degree of latitude/longitude = 60 minutes
• Tick marks typically represent 1-minute increments along chart borders
• Latitude lines run east-west (parallels); longitude lines run north-south (meridians)

Memory trick: 60 minutes make a degree — count ticks like clock minutes.

14 CFR 91.113(d) gives priority to less maneuverable aircraft categories when converging with powered aircraft.

• Order of priority: balloon > glider > airship > airplane/rotorcraft
• Applies regardless of direction of approach
• Aircraft towing/refueling also has right-of-way over other engine-driven craft

Memory trick: 'Balloons Glide Above Airplanes' — priority order from most to least.

In Class G airspace at or below 1,200 feet AGL, VFR minimums differ between day and night: daytime allows reduced minimums, while nighttime requires the standard 3 SM/1,000-500-2,000 minimums.

• Day, ≤1,200 AGL: 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds
• Night, ≤1,200 AGL: 3 SM visibility, 1,000 above/500 below/2,000 horizontal
• Above 1,200 AGL, standard minimums apply regardless of day/night

Memory trick: Night in Class G = No shortcuts — full 3-1000-500-2000 minimums apply.

14 CFR 91.117 establishes maximum indicated airspeeds in various airspace segments to enhance safety near airports and in busy terminal areas.

• Below 10,000 ft MSL: max 250 KIAS generally
• Within 4 NM and at/below 2,500 ft AGL of Class C/D primary airport: max 200 KIAS
• Below Class B floor or in a VFR corridor through Class B: max 200 KIAS

Memory trick: '250 general, 200 near the gate' — speed drops closer to busy airports.

CAT is turbulence occurring in clear skies, most frequently found near the tropopause on the poleward (cold) side of a jet stream core where wind shear is strongest.

• Associated with strong wind shear near the tropopause
• Most likely on the cold/poleward side of jet core
• Cannot be seen visually, detected by PIREPs or forecast shear zones

Memory trick: Cold side, sharp shear, that's where CAT will appear.

Pilot reports use standardized terms (light, moderate, severe, extreme) and qualifiers (occasional, intermittent, continuous) to describe turbulence intensity and frequency.

• Chop = rapid, rhythmic bumpiness without altitude/attitude change
• Turbulence = more abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude
• OCNL = less than 1/3 of the time period
• Severe turbulence causes large, abrupt changes in altitude/attitude and momentary loss of control

Memory trick: Chop is a Choppy Boat Ride — bumpy but steady, not tossed around.

A risk management tool that combines the likelihood of a hazard occurring with the severity of its potential consequences to determine an overall risk level.

• Likelihood ranges from improbable to frequent
• Severity ranges from negligible to catastrophic
• Combined result guides whether a risk is acceptable or must be mitigated before flight

Memory trick: Likely times bad equals the risk you should avoid.

The distance between isobars on a chart indicates the strength of the pressure gradient force; closely spaced isobars mean stronger winds.

• Tight isobar spacing = steep gradient = strong wind
• Wide isobar spacing = weak gradient = light wind
• Wind flows roughly parallel to isobars aloft due to Coriolis balance
• Near the surface, friction causes wind to cross isobars at an angle toward low pressure

Memory trick: Tight lines, Tight squeeze, strong breeze!

The altitude at which an airplane's maximum rate of climb reaches zero feet per minute, representing the theoretical maximum altitude attainable.

• Rate of climb = 0 fpm at absolute ceiling
• Service ceiling occurs at 100 fpm, below absolute ceiling
• Both decrease with increased weight, temperature, and density altitude
• Found using climb performance charts or graphs

Memory trick: Absolute ceiling = absolutely no more climb (0 fpm)

A passed aeronautical knowledge test is valid for 24 calendar months from the month it was taken, and must remain valid through the month the practical test is completed.

• 24 calendar month validity period
• Counted from the month the test was taken
• Must retake if expired before practical test

Memory trick: 'Two years to test, or start the quest again.'

A general rule of thumb states that ground roll (takeoff or landing) decreases by approximately 10% for every 9 knots of headwind component.

• Headwind reduces both takeoff and landing ground roll
• Rule of thumb: 10% reduction per 9 knots of headwind
• Tailwind has the opposite, and much larger, adverse effect

Memory trick: Nine knots knocks off ten percent, every time.

The minimum age to be issued a sport pilot certificate is 17, except 16 for glider or balloon privileges.

• General minimum age: 17 years old
• Exception: 16 years old for glider or balloon only
• Solo flight minimum age is also 16 (14 for glider/balloon)

Memory trick: 'Seventeen to Steer, Sixteen to Soar (glider/balloon)'

Before entering Class D airspace, a pilot must establish two-way radio communication with the controlling ATC facility; a simple acknowledgment like 'standby' does not satisfy this requirement.

• Applies per 14 CFR 91.129
• 'Standby' is not authorization to enter
• Communication is established when ATC responds using the aircraft's call sign

Memory trick: 'D is for Dialogue' — you need a real back-and-forth, not just a hello.

The angle applied to a true course to correct for wind drift, calculated using the wind triangle, then applied left or right of course depending on wind direction.

• WCA = arcsin[(wind speed × sin(wind angle))/TAS]
• Wind from the left of course requires heading correction to the left (subtract)
• Wind from the right of course requires heading correction to the right (add)

Memory trick: Crab into the wind — nose points toward where the wind is coming from.

Aircraft with electrical systems must have operating ADS-B Out equipment to fly in Class B and C airspace, above 10,000 ft MSL (excluding below 2,500 ft AGL), and other designated areas.

• Applies to Class B and Class C airspace
• Exception exists for aircraft without an electrical system
• LSA status alone does not exempt equipped aircraft

Memory trick: ADS-B needed wherever a Mode C veil/transponder used to be required, plus more

Below 10,000 feet MSL in Class E airspace, VFR flight requires 3 SM visibility and 500/1,000/2,000 foot cloud clearances.

• 3 statute miles visibility required
• 500 feet below clouds
• 1,000 feet above clouds, 2,000 feet horizontal

Memory trick: Class E = '3-152' (3 miles, 1 up, 500 down, 2 out)

A sport pilot may not act as PIC when flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles, per 14 CFR 61.315(c)(7), which effectively prohibits use of Special VFR clearances.

• Minimum 3 SM visibility required for sport pilot operations
• Special VFR allows as low as 1 SM for airplanes, conflicting with this rule
• Applies regardless of airspace class

Memory trick: Sport pilots need 3 miles to see clearly — no squinting through Special VFR fog

Sport pilots may never operate under a special VFR clearance in any surface area, per 61.315(c)(6).

• Applies regardless of airspace class
• No training or endorsement removes this limit
• Pilot must wait for standard VFR minimums

Memory trick: 'Sport pilots Stay Clear of Special VFR skies.'

An ATC clearance allowing VFR flight within the surface area of controlled airspace when weather is below basic VFR minimums, requiring at least 1 SM visibility and clear of clouds.

• Requires ATC clearance
• Minimum 1 SM flight visibility, clear of clouds
• Night Special VFR requires the pilot to hold an instrument rating

Memory trick: 'Special' means Slim minimums: 1 mile, clear of clouds.

A warm front is the leading edge of a warm air mass overriding cooler air, producing gradual, widespread deterioration in weather ahead of the surface front.

• Slow-moving (10-25 mph typical)
• Stratiform clouds and steady precipitation ahead of the front
• Ceilings and visibility gradually lower, then improve after passage

Memory trick: Warm front = slow, steady soaking rain before it arrives.

Class E airspace in the contiguous United States extends upward to, but not including, 18,000 feet MSL, where Class A airspace begins.

• Class A begins at exactly 18,000 feet MSL
• Class E floor varies by location (700 AGL, 1,200 AGL, surface)
• IFR flight plan or clearance required in Class A
• VFR is generally not conducted in Class A airspace

Memory trick: Eighteen-thousand: E stops, A starts

Station models depict wind speed using barbs: a half barb equals 5 knots, a full barb equals 10 knots, and a pennant (triangle) equals 50 knots.

• No barbs (just shaft) = calm or very light wind
• Barbs are read and summed along the shaft
• Pennant = 50 kt, full barb = 10 kt, half barb = 5 kt

Memory trick: Full barb = 'Ten-foot flag'; half barb = 'Five-foot flag'.

Airspace established for security reasons around sensitive ground facilities where pilots are asked to voluntarily avoid flight.

• Depicted with a blue dot-dash line on sectional charts
• Normally voluntary avoidance, not regulatory
• FAA can issue a NOTAM making it temporarily prohibited
• Applies to all aircraft, not just IFR traffic

Memory trick: NSA = 'Nicely Steer Away' — it's polite, unless a NOTAM makes it mandatory