What’s on the private pilot written test?
The private pilot knowledge test is a 60-question multiple-choice exam covering regulations, weather, navigation, aerodynamics, aircraft systems, and flight planning. You need 70% to pass.
The FAA knowledge test (commonly called the written) has 60 multiple-choice questions drawn from a known body of subject areas: federal regulations, weather theory and services, navigation, aerodynamics, aircraft systems and performance, airport operations, and aeronautical decision-making.
A passing score is 70%. Most students prepare with a dedicated ground school or test-prep course and take it before or during their flight training.
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Thinking About Flying as a Career?
The private pilot certificate is the first step toward the flight deck. But if you’re thinking about a career as a pilot you’ll need more then that. Zero Time to Airline is a structured program that takes you from no experience all the way to airline-qualified, with every certificate and rating along the way.