Practice Exam Questions And Correct

Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Licensure Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

(Covers: Aerodynamics, Flight Planning, Meteorology, Air Law, Aircraft

Systems, Human Factors, Navigation, and Performance)

• What is the primary purpose of the angle of attack indicator?
• To show aircraft attitude relative to the horizon
• To indicate the angle between the chord line and relative wind
• To measure the angle between flight path and ground track
• To determine wing incidence

Rationale: The angle of attack is the angle between the chord line of the

wing and the relative wind. It is critical for stall prevention and performance awareness. 1 / 4

2. The critical Mach number is defined as the Mach number at which:

• The aircraft reaches maximum lift
• The airflow over some part of the wing reaches Mach 1
• The aircraft experiences compressibility effects
• Shock waves form behind the trailing edge

Rationale: Critical Mach is the point where airflow locally becomes

supersonic, signaling the onset of compressibility effects.

3. The primary flight control that controls roll is:

• Ailerons
• Rudder
• Elevator
• Spoilers

Rationale: Ailerons produce differential lift on the wings, controlling roll

about the longitudinal axis.

• Which factor increases the stalling speed?
• Decreasing load factor
• Increasing altitude
• Increasing bank angle
• Extending flaps 2 / 4

Rationale: Increased bank angle raises the load factor, requiring more lift

and increasing stall speed.

5. A standard holding pattern uses turns to the:

• Right
• Left
• Either direction depending on pilot preference
• As instructed by ATC only

Rationale: Standard holding patterns are right turns unless ATC specifies

otherwise.

6. The minimum safe altitude over congested areas is:

• 500 feet AGL
• 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet horizontally
• 1,500 feet above terrain
• 2,000 feet AGL

Rationale: Regulations require maintaining at least 1,000 feet above the

highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot radius in congested areas.

7. The purpose of the Mach trim system is to:

• Compensate for Mach tuck at high speeds
• Increase climb performance 3 / 4

• Prevent overbanking
• Control yaw at transonic speeds

Rationale: Mach tuck causes the nose to pitch down at high subsonic speeds;

Mach trim automatically corrects this tendency.

8. The main function of spoilers in flight is to:

• Increase lift
• Reduce lift and increase drag
• Reduce drag and increase lift
• Assist yaw control

Rationale: Spoilers destroy lift and increase drag, aiding descent or roll

control.

9. The transition level is:

• The altitude where QNH is set
• The level where standard pressure is set on descent
• The lowest flight level available for use above the transition altitude
• The fixed altitude at which climb is initiated

Rationale: The transition level is the lowest usable flight level above the

transition altitude where 1013.25 hPa is used.

• / 4