Sample Questions.
A Note to Students
The questions listed below are not comprehensive, nor are they representative of the full depth of the oral evaluation. They are intended as lead-in questions—the type that may initiate discussion—but each will be followed by deeper “how” and “why” questions to assess your true understanding. The actual oral will progress organically based on your responses and scenario context. Do not treat this as a gouge or study guide; instead, use it to familiarize yourself with the style and structure of questioning you may encounter. Prepare broadly, think critically, and come ready to demonstrate command-level knowledge.
Student Pilot Progress Checks
During preflight, you notice the fuel cap is slightly loose and there’s a small blue streak on the wing. What does this indicate, and what should you do?
You’re starting the engine, and it turns over slowly but doesn’t start. You smell fuel. What’s your next move, and what risks should you be thinking about?
You're on downwind and another aircraft calls a 2-mile straight-in for the same runway. Who has the right of way, and how should you adjust your pattern safely?
You complete your run-up and realize you forgot to check the weather before engine start. Is it okay to continue? How do you verify conditions now without delaying your flight or making a rushed decision?
You’re preparing for a solo XC and your instructor signed your endorsement two days ago. Today, you plan to land at a new airport not listed in your logbook. Are you legally covered?
Halfway to your destination, your GPS fails and you can’t pick up a VOR. You’re not lost yet, but unsure of your position. What tools and techniques do you use now?
While climbing out solo, you realize your oil temperature is rising quickly into the red. What do you do, and when is it no longer safe to continue the climb?
On taxi, another pilot calls “taking the active” even though you’re already entering the runway. There’s no tower. How do you handle the situation on the radio and in the airplane?
You’re on final and hear a weird vibration in the controls. You’re unsure if it’s wind, airspeed, or control issue. What do you do in the final seconds before touchdown?
You're 5 miles from your destination airport and realize you forgot to switch fuel tanks. You have fuel in both, but don’t remember when you last switched. What’s the risk, and what’s the right move now?
Your friend asks to ride along on your next solo pattern flight. What are the rules and safety reasons behind your response?
On a solo flight, you realize you forgot your radio callsign halfway through a transmission. Do you keep talking or stop? What do you do next to clarify with other pilots?
You see another aircraft taxiing toward you at an uncontrolled field, but neither of you seems to have made a radio call. How do you handle the situation without creating confusion or conflict?
You’re climbing through 2,000’ AGL and see a dark cloud layer ahead. Your route goes under it, but you’re unsure of the ceiling. What’s your plan, and how do you determine whether to turn around or continue?
You're taxiing back after landing and realize you left the landing light and transponder on. Is this a safety issue? Why does it matter, and when should you perform your post-landing flow?
You’re returning from a solo XC and realize you’ll arrive 30 minutes later than your instructor expected. How do you handle the delay, and what do you do before and after landing?
You just finished a solo flight and can’t remember if your instructor told you to refuel the airplane. What’s your next step, and why is this part of being a responsible PIC?
Private Pilot Progress Checks
You're planning a VFR cross-country with 5 SM visibility and a 2,000’ broken layer. The forecast shows potential lowering to 3 SM and 1,000’ ceilings en route. Can you go? If so, what’s your contingency plan?
On downwind at a non-towered airport, another aircraft calls a 5-mile straight-in for the same runway. Who has the right-of-way, and how should you coordinate safely and professionally?
You’re flying from a towered airport when your radio fails 30 seconds before leaving the airspace. What is your procedure to recover safely and legally?
During preflight, you discover the aircraft is overdue for a 100-hour inspection by 3 hours. The aircraft is used for training but you're flying under Part 91 for pleasure. Can you fly it? Why or why not?
Your GPS shows a shorter route to your destination that bypasses your planned checkpoints. You’re running late. Should you change course mid-flight, and what risks are introduced if you do?
You’re in cruise flight when you notice oil temperature constant and pressure near zero. What do these indications mean, and what’s your course of action?
You're preparing for takeoff on a grass strip and notice a crosswind gusting beyond your demonstrated crosswind component. Legally, can you take off? Should you? What’s your plan?
You’re 15 minutes into a flight and realize you forgot to bring your medical certificate. Are you legal? What are your options now?
You’ve planned a flight to an unfamiliar airport. Upon arrival, you see multiple runways but no windsock. How do you choose the correct runway, and what risks must you manage?
ATC clears you into Class C airspace, but you didn’t hear your callsign. Are you allowed to enter? What’s required for legal entry into Class C airspace?
You’re preparing to depart and notice a discrepancy in the aircraft logbook regarding an AD. You’re not sure if it applies to this aircraft. Can you still fly? How do you verify compliance?
Your passenger wants to bring an extra 50 pounds of bags. You’re already near gross weight. How do you calculate if it’s legal, and what could happen if you take off overweight?
You’re over a national park at 3,000’ AGL when your passenger asks to descend for a better view. What are the regulatory and safety considerations in this situation?
You’re on final when another aircraft unexpectedly pulls onto the runway. You’re at 200 feet AGL and descending. There are parachutes open directly over the runway. What’s your go-around procedure, and how do you re-enter the pattern?
You plan a VFR flight that will take you through Class B airspace. You’ve never flown there before. What must you do to enter legally and safely, and how do you prepare for busy radio traffic?
You’ve been cleared to taxi at a towered airport but realize you’re unfamiliar with the taxiway layout and signs. What should you do to avoid a runway incursion?
During cruise, a scattered cloud layer forms below you, blocking your planned descent route into a non-towered airport. You’re not instrument rated. What are your legal and safe options?
You accidentally enter controlled airspace without establishing two-way communication. Is this legal? What’s your immediate action, and what follow-up is expected after landing?
You’re flying with a friend who offers to split fuel and lunch costs. Under what conditions is cost-sharing legal, and how do you ensure compliance with FAA regulations?
Instrument Progress Checks
You’re en route on an IFR flight when your alternator fails. Your battery will last 30 minutes, you’re 40 miles from your destination, and the weather is 500' overcast with 2 SM visibility. What’s your plan?
ATC clears you for an ILS approach, but when you tune the frequency, the ident is missing and the flag on your CDI doesn’t clear. What do you do next? Can you still fly the approach?
You are IMC, 15 NM from your destination, when you lose GPS signal and are unable to identify the VOR. The only available approaches are an NDB and a VOR. What’s your immediate action?
While inbound on a non-precision approach, ATC instructs you to “maintain best forward speed.” How do you balance speed, descent, and configuration to remain stable and within approach tolerances?
You receive an amended clearance to hold at a fix you weren’t expecting, with an EFC in 25 minutes. Your fuel is tight. What factors must you consider and how do you communicate your situation to ATC?
You're executing a missed approach in solid IMC when your attitude indicator begins to tumble. Your GPS and HSI remain functional. What are your next steps, and how do you reestablish situational awareness?
You depart VFR in marginal conditions with the intent to pick up IFR in the air. Ten minutes in, you’re IMC and haven’t been able to reach ATC. What’s your plan and how do you remain legal and safe?
During an RNAV approach, your GPS shows "RAIM unavailable" inside the final approach fix. Can you continue? If not, what do you do?
You file for an alternate with a published RNAV approach, but that airport doesn’t have weather reporting. Is it a valid alternate? Why or why not?
You’re holding as published and notice increasing headwinds in the direction of your destination, reducing your fuel reserve rapidly. When and how should you declare an emergency?
Your aircraft’s pitot-static system is partially blocked in IMC. Airspeed reads erratically, and altitude fluctuates. What are your procedures, and how do you stay within control parameters?
You accept a STAR that includes a mandatory crossing restriction, but the controller gives you a lower altitude beforehand. What altitude do you fly, and how do you verify it’s legal?
On approach, the visibility is reported at minimums, and you see the approach lights at 400' AGL but nothing else. What do the regulations allow you to do, and what is your plan?
You're flying an IFR cross-country and the forecast shows 2,000' ceilings and 3 SM visibility at your destination. Do you need an alternate? Walk through your planning.
You’re in cruise when your vacuum pump fails. Your attitude indicator and HSI begin to drift. You’re in marginal VMC, but near controlled airspace. Can you continue? What’s your safest course of action?
ATC clears you for a visual approach while IMC conditions still exist between you and the airport. What’s your responsibility and how should you respond to the clearance?
You file direct on an IFR flight plan, but the route includes multiple MOAs and restricted areas. Are you legal to fly through them? How do you verify clearance?
You're preparing to depart IFR from a non-towered airport at night in IMC. There's no ATIS, and the AWOS is offline. Can you depart legally? If not, what are your options?
You’re flying a cross-country IFR with a non-instrument-rated passenger. You become disoriented during a partial panel failure. What are your options, and how do you communicate your situation effectively to ATC?
Commerical Pilot Progress Checks
You’re on a Part 91 ferry flight in a high-performance aircraft when the vacuum pump fails and weather ahead is marginal. You’re not IFR current, but you have the aircraft’s full RNAV suite. Can you legally and safely continue? If not, what’s your mitigation strategy?
You’re conducting a commercial sightseeing flight under VFR when visibility drops below 3 SM due to unexpected haze. You’re inside controlled airspace, and turning back could place you below minimum fuel. What’s your plan?
You’re 5 minutes from landing at a non-towered airport when a solo student pilot announces a straight-in approach, no pattern entry. You're on downwind. How do you handle this professionally and safely, and who has right of way?
Your commercial passenger mentions chest tightness and dizziness mid-flight. There’s a medical kit onboard and the nearest airport is 15 minutes away. Walk me through your cockpit management and diversion process.
You’re flying a cross-country with a client when the flap motor fails in the extended position. The runway at your destination is short, and the alternate has gusting crosswinds. How do you assess risk, legality, and aircraft performance?
During preflight, you discover the ELT battery expired one day ago. Your chief pilot says, “Just log it and go, it’s no big deal under Part 91.” Is that legal? If not, what reg applies—and what would you do?
You’re performing a commercial maneuver when an unexpected thermal or downdraft pushes you below your minimum ACS altitude. How do you respond, and how would you defend your decision-making in a checkride or post-flight review?
You land at a towered airport and realize you exited the runway without a clearance. The controller calls you on ground and seems concerned. How do you handle the communication professionally and what should you do next?
A client requests a commercial flight in an aircraft without a current VOR check for IFR. You're equipped with GPS and plan to use RNAV the whole way. Is this legal? What if they ask you to log it as flight training?
You're flying a complex aircraft and lose gear extension on approach. The emergency extension procedure isn’t working. You have 45 minutes of fuel. What’s your procedure, and how do you prepare the aircraft and passengers?
During a part 121 commercial flight, a passenger asks to change destination last-minute. The alternate has a NOTAM for a closed taxiway and shortened runway. You’ve never been there before. What do you do?
You’re on an IFR flight plan and your primary comm radio shuts off just before reaching an approach clearance limit fix. What’s your full plan of action?
You’re conducting a night XC flight when all panel lighting fails. You have a flashlight, but your passenger is uncomfortable and panicking. How do you manage cockpit workload, reassure your passenger, and navigate safely?
During a preflight briefing, you notice significant AIRMET Tango en route. The flight is optional, and the client is inexperienced. How do you apply ADM and professionalism in making a go/no-go decision?
You’re departing a high-altitude airport in hot weather with a full load and minimal runway remaining. Performance is marginal. Your client insists on taking off. How do you evaluate your decision against FARs and commercial expectations? What can we expect of ground speed, air speed, and pattern size?
During a commercial checkride, the DPE asks for a 180° power-off accuracy landing on a runway with a displaced threshold and no visible aiming point. What’s your strategy to execute this maneuver within ACS tolerances?
You’re en route IFR and lose your pitot tube to icing. Airspeed fluctuates, but altimeter and VSI are steady. You’re still IMC. What's your plan for continued control, legal diversion, and communication with ATC?
Your client wants to fly sharing costs under Part 91. They’re paying for fuel and you’re logging the time toward ATP minimums. What’s legal, and where is the line between private and commercial operations?
You land after a 3-hour commercial flight and discover that a required inspection lapsed mid-flight. The mechanic insists it’s no big deal. What are the regulatory and ethical implications—and what should you do immediately?
CFI (FOI) Progress Checks
A student asks if they can fly in the pattern with 4 SM visibility and a 1,000’ ceiling at Harvey Field. How do you answer, and how do you turn this into a teachable moment about airspace, legality, and safety?
Your student freezes on the controls during a stall. How do you handle the situation in the moment, and how do you approach the post-flight debrief to rebuild trust and confidence?
You're asked to sign off a student for solo, but the weather forecast shows 5 knots of direct crosswind increasing to 10G15 later in the afternoon. They’ve only flown in 5-knot crosswinds. Do you sign them off? Justify your decision.
A student repeatedly fails to meet tolerances on steep turns and now expresses doubt in their ability. How do you adjust your teaching strategy to address both skill and confidence?
You’re demonstrating a power-off 180° accuracy landing and land 250 feet beyond the point. The student asks why it was acceptable. How do you explain standards vs. demonstration vs. instruction?
Another CFI is giving students conflicting guidance from yours. Your student is confused. How do you maintain instructional integrity while addressing the inconsistency professionally?
During a lesson on emergency procedures, a student initiates a simulated engine-out without clearing the area. How do you address the safety violation and correct the deficiency?
You’re teaching slow flight in the practice area and another aircraft enters the area unexpectedly. Your student becomes distracted and disoriented. What’s your in-flight strategy and how do you refocus them afterward?
Your student passes their solo cross-country with marginal performance. The next flight, they ask for a complex cross-country to challenging airspace. How do you structure training to build them up while managing risk and expectations?
A student has 80 hours and struggles with basic coordination. They’ve been passed between instructors and want to know if they’ll ever get their certificate. How do you assess their potential and plan their path forward honestly and professionally?
Your student encounters a wake turbulence encounter on short final but continues the landing without going around. They don’t realize the seriousness of the situation. How do you correct this both technically and in mindset?
You're flying dual in IMC on a training flight. The student enters a high workload phase and misses two ATC calls. What do you do in the moment, and how do you use this as a lesson in cockpit management?
The student’s written test shows ACS codes for weather charts and airspace. They argue they already “know it.” How do you handle the knowledge deficiency and how do you explain its importance to them?
A student wants to practice solo landings at a Class D airport with minimal experience there. How do you assess their readiness and prepare them legally and practically?
You're teaching takeoffs and landings in a gusty crosswind and the student consistently fails to maintain centerline. How do you explain and demonstrate correction without overwhelming them?
Your student failed their stage check due to poor performance under pressure. They ask to skip the next one because “checkrides make them nervous.” How do you address this from a CFI perspective?
You’re preparing a student for their private pilot checkride, and they ask you for a "cheat sheet" to memorize the oral. How do you steer them away from rote memorization and toward real understanding?
A student pilot is consistently late, unprepared, and distracted during lessons. How do you professionally address the behavioral issues without alienating them?
CFI (FIA) Progress Checks
A commercial pilot applicant logs 251 total hours but 39 hours of cross-country PIC time. Can you endorse them for the checkride? What reg governs this, and how do you verify logbook compliance?
A student pilot completed a dual XC flight to three airports totaling 160 NM but didn’t land at a point 50 NM away. They now want a solo XC endorsement. Is the requirement met per Part 61? Part 141? Why or why not?
You're reviewing a private pilot applicant's logbook and notice 2.8 hours of “hood time” logged, but no instrument instruction from a CFII. Can you endorse them for the checkride? What regs apply?
You endorse a student for solo, but they conduct a flight to a neighboring airport 8 NM away without a specific endorsement for that route. What reg has been violated, and what are the implications for the CFI?
A student pilot’s knowledge test expires in 3 weeks. The DPE’s schedule is tight. What is the deadline for them to complete the checkride, and what happens if they only complete the oral before expiration?
A multi-engine student wants to log all flight time in the right seat of a multi-engine trainer toward total time. When is this legal, and under what conditions would the time be invalid for certificate requirements?
You're flying with a student in a complex aircraft. They've logged 1.5 hours of dual, but no endorsement for complex PIC privileges. Can they legally log the time toward commercial? Explain the requirements.
You’re giving spin training to a CFI applicant in an aircraft that isn’t spin-approved, but the student insists they read online that it's okay if spins are brief. What are the legal and safety consequences of proceeding?
You’re evaluating a pilot’s logbook and notice night XC logged with no night landings. Can this be counted toward night requirements under Part 61? Why or why not?
A private pilot asks you to endorse them to act as PIC of a tailwheel aircraft. They logged 10 hours in tailwheel aircraft before 1988 but have no record of an endorsement. Are they legal?
Your student asks about carrying passengers on a cost-sharing basis. They want to split fuel with a friend on a trip to a concert. What’s the pro rata share rule, and what must be established for this to be legal under Part 61 and 91?
You’re training a student in Class G airspace at night with 2 SM visibility and a 1,000’ ceiling. They plan to solo at night. Is this legal? How do cloud clearance and visibility minimums apply differently by airspace and time?
A foreign pilot with 800 hours and a current medical wants to fly a U.S.-registered aircraft solo while visiting. What regulatory requirements must be met for them to act as PIC in U.S. airspace?
You are training a student in a Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) for a commercial certificate. What are the minimum required TAA hours, and what qualifies an aircraft as TAA?
You’re preparing a student for the instrument rating checkride and they’ve logged 39 hours of simulated instrument time. One flight includes a hooded takeoff, a hold, and 3 approaches. Can this be counted toward the required hours with a CFII?
You're asked to verify 250 NM straight-line cross-country time for a commercial applicant. They flew a 300 NM trip but made a stop 60 NM in. Can this flight count? What defines a qualifying long XC under 61.129?
An ATP applicant presents a knowledge test taken 2 years and 2 months ago. Can you sign them off for the checkride? What if they completed the oral last week and now want to finish the flight portion?
A student wants to use an EFB for chart references on the checkride. What are the examiner's and applicant's responsibilities regarding legality and currency of digital materials under FAA guidance?
You’re conducting a flight review and the pilot wants to log the time as dual received for instrument currency. Under what conditions is this valid, and can it simultaneously count toward both requirements?
Your student is flying a cross-country solo using GPS, but the database expired last month. What are the regulatory implications for VFR navigation and for using that equipment during training?