I Passed My Knowledge Test!

Waiting for N130AW to be repaired has been frustrating, and I have received word that it will not be back in service until the week of May 2. That means basically I will have not been in the air for nine weeks when I get to fly again.

I decided I didn't want all of that time to be wasted, so I started studying for the FAA knowledge test needed to get my pilot certificate. The test is a comprehensive test covering all aspects of flying including weather, procedures, regulations, aircraft systems, flight dynamics, and navigation among others. The test is a 40 question multiple choice test. That sounds easy, but the 40 questions are randomly selected from a bank of hundreds of questions. The only way to do well on the test is to all the material cold, since there's no way to know which questions you might be asked, or on what topics. The test is administered on a computer and 120 minutes are allowed to complete the test.

I brought the allowed items into the test: a flight calculator, a navigation plotter, and a pencil for working out any problems (scratch paper is provided and must be surrendered on leaving). You are given a booklet that has all the charts, tables, illustrations, and figures referenced in the test questions. You are only allowed to write on your scratch paper, not on the booklet.

I found the test to be pretty easy, but I think I lucked out in the random questions I was asked. They were mostly "simple" questions, not requiring any calculations. In fact, I only needed my flight calculator for one question. There were none of the "math intensive" questions I had studied, mostly navigation and weight/balance questions. Lucky in one sense, but a little disappointing I didn't get to put the skill I'd learned to use.

A score of 70% is passing. I scored 98%, meaning I missed one question. There were three questions on the test I had never seen before in my studying, and I'm pretty sure which one I missed. I really wanted to get 100%, but it's rare for anyone to get a perfect score, so I don't feel too badly. In fact, I'm very happy...I got a very good score and it's now behind me!