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Aviation Instrument & Performance Quiz Challenge

Test Your Instrumentation and Flight Performance Skills

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting aviation instruments for a performance quiz

Joanna Weib welcomes aspiring pilots and aviation students to an interactive Aviation Instrument & Performance Quiz that tests critical flight instrumentation and performance knowledge. This instrument quiz features 15 challenging multiple-choice questions covering instrument cross-checks, performance charts and flight procedures. Gain confidence in preflight calculations and instrument readings while practicing real-world scenarios. The quiz is fully editable in our intuitive editor to suit your learning goals. For more practice, try the Instrument Rating Knowledge Test, explore the Performance Indicators Knowledge Quiz , or browse other quizzes for comprehensive study tools.

Which instrument measures an aircraft's dynamic pressure to indicate speed?
Vertical speed indicator
Attitude indicator
Altimeter
Airspeed indicator
The airspeed indicator measures the difference between pitot (dynamic) and static pressures to display speed. Other instruments use static pressure or gyroscopic sensing instead.
Which instrument displays the aircraft's pitch and roll relative to the horizon?
Turn coordinator
Attitude indicator
Heading indicator
Altimeter
The attitude indicator uses a gyroscope to show pitch and bank angles. Other instruments indicate altitude, heading, or rate of turn.
Which instrument shows the rate of climb or descent?
Heading indicator
Vertical speed indicator
Airspeed indicator
Altimeter
The vertical speed indicator measures rate of change in static pressure to display climb or descent rate. It does not measure speed or heading.
What pressure source does the altimeter use to determine altitude?
Ram pressure
Total pressure
Static pressure
Dynamic pressure
The altimeter senses static pressure from the static port and converts it into altitude. It does not use ram or total pressure directly.
If the pitot tube ram inlet is blocked but the drain hole remains open, what will the airspeed indicator read after takeoff?
Increasing
Zero knots
Decreasing to zero
Normal speed
With the ram inlet blocked and the drain hole open, dynamic pressure escapes and equals static pressure, so the indicator reads zero. It cannot register actual speed.
Calculate the density altitude when pressure altitude is 5,000 ft and the outside air temperature is 25°C (ISA +7°C).
5,000 ft
4,800 ft
6,000 ft
5,840 ft
Density altitude ≈ pressure altitude + (120 à - temperature deviation). Here 5,000 + (120 à - 7) = 5,840 ft.
According to a takeoff performance chart at 2,000 ft pressure altitude, 15°C OAT, and 2,500 lb weight, what is the approximate ground roll?
700 ft
800 ft
600 ft
900 ft
The chart shows about 700 ft of ground roll under those conditions. Variations in weight and density altitude would alter this value.
How does a blocked static port affect the airspeed indicator?
It overreads in descent and underreads in climb
It underreads in descent and overreads in climb
It freezes at zero
It indicates normal speed
With a blocked static port, the ASI uses trapped static pressure so it shows opposite trends: higher in descent and lower in climb.
At constant indicated airspeed, what happens to true airspeed as altitude increases?
It varies unpredictably
It decreases
It remains constant
It increases
As altitude increases, thinner air requires a higher true airspeed to maintain the same dynamic pressure for the indicated airspeed.
Which factor will increase the takeoff ground roll distance?
Increase in weight
Lower air temperature
Headwind component
Higher humidity
Greater weight increases lift needed and extends ground roll. A headwind, cooler temperature, and even humidity have different or reducing effects.
What will the vertical speed indicator read if the static port becomes blocked in flight?
High rate of climb
Zero
Fluctuating
Normal rate
When the static port is blocked, the VSI cannot sense pressure changes and will settle to zero. The altimeter also freezes at its last reading.
If the outside air temperature is below ISA, how does density altitude compare to pressure altitude?
Density altitude is higher
Density altitude is unaffected
Density altitude equals pressure altitude
Density altitude is lower
Colder-than-standard air is denser, which lowers density altitude relative to pressure altitude.
When computing landing distances for a wet runway, what adjustment is typically applied to the dry distance?
Decrease by 15%
Increase by 10%
No adjustment
Increase by 15%
Standard guidance adds about 15% to dry runway distances for a wet surface. Other adjustments cover slope and wind.
Which primary instrument scan order is recommended under instrument flight rules?
Altimeter, heading, attitude, airspeed
Airspeed, attitude, heading, altimeter
Attitude, altimeter, airspeed, heading
Heading, attitude, airspeed, altimeter
Pilots are taught to establish aircraft attitude first, then confirm altitude, airspeed, and heading in sequence.
On a day 30°C above ISA, approximately how much will takeoff distance increase?
30%
40%
10%
20%
A rule of thumb is 10% extra distance per 10°C ISA deviation, so 30°C above ISA adds about 30% to takeoff roll.
At an airport elevation of 2,000 ft, the altimeter is set to 29.92 inHg but the actual pressure is 29.62 inHg. What will the altimeter read on the ground?
2,600 ft
2,300 ft
2,000 ft
1,700 ft
A 0.30 inHg pressure decrease causes the altimeter to read about 300 ft high. Thus it indicates 2,300 ft instead of the true 2,000 ft.
Using landing performance charts: dry distance is 1,200 ft, wet runway adds 15%, and a 5 kt tailwind adds another 10%. What is the required landing distance?
1,480 ft
1,600 ft
1,518 ft
1,380 ft
1,200 + 15% = 1,380 ft, then +10% tailwind = 1,518 ft total.
Which behavior indicates a pitot tube blockage when both the ram inlet and drain hole are blocked?
ASI reads zero
ASI fluctuates randomly
ASI indicates correct speed
ASI increases in climb and decreases in descent
With both pitot openings blocked, the ASI senses only static pressure and mimics an altimeter, rising in climbs and falling in descents.
According to a climb performance chart, at density altitude 8,000 ft and weight 2,400 lb, what is the approximate climb rate?
400 fpm
600 fpm
500 fpm
700 fpm
The chart shows about a 500 fpm climb under those density altitude and weight conditions.
On a warmer-than-standard day, how does true altitude compare to indicated altitude?
The same as indicated
Cannot be determined
Lower than indicated
Higher than indicated
Warm air expands pressure levels upward, so the true altitude is higher than the indicated when temperature is above ISA.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Analyse instrument readings to determine accurate flight parameters.
  2. Evaluate performance charts for takeoff and landing scenarios.
  3. Identify common instrument malfunctions and their effects.
  4. Apply correction factors for altitude and temperature variations.
  5. Demonstrate understanding of instrument cross-check procedures.
  6. Master performance planning using aircraft data tables.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Types of Airspeeds - Get to know Indicated, Calibrated, True Airspeed, and Ground Speed - they each tell you something different about how your aircraft moves through the sky. Spoiler alert: True Airspeed is your calibrated speed adjusted for altitude and temperature, which is a big deal when plotting cross-country flights. Airspeed Indicator Overview
  2. Density Altitude Calculation - Density altitude combines pressure altitude with non-standard temperatures to give you a real-world performance figure; think of it as the "feels-like" altitude for your airplane. Higher density altitude means your engine and wings get a bit lazier, so always do the math before you go full throttle. Aircraft Performance and Density Altitude
  3. Standard Rate Turn Formula - Want to nail those 180° turns in exactly one minute? Bank Angle = (TAS/10) + 7 is your new best friend for instrument work. It's like a secret handshake between you and your instruments - once you know it, your turns will be smooth and precise. Instrument Flying Formulas
  4. Temperature Effects on Altimeter - When the air gets colder than standard, your altimeter overreads and you're actually lower than you think - definitely not what you want near a mountain ridge. Always mentally adjust if the day feels more of a freezer than a fan. Altimeter and Temperature Effects
  5. Common Instrument Malfunctions - From pitot-static blockages to funky vacuum gauges, malfunctions love to pop up when you least expect them. Recognize the symptoms early - your life's cooler when you're in control, not your instruments. Airspeed Indicator Malfunctions
  6. Using Performance Charts - Charts for takeoff and landing distances are like treasure maps for pilots. Plug in weight, altitude, and temperature, then follow the lines to discover how much runway you really need. Aircraft Performance and Calculations
  7. Instrument Cross-Check Procedures - Constantly scanning your six-pack (or glass panel) keeps you ahead of the game and helps catch errors before they sneak up on you. A disciplined cross-check is your secret weapon against spatial disorientation. Aircraft Performance and Calculations
  8. Altitude & Temperature Corrections - When you adjust true airspeed or performance for non-standard conditions, you're basically giving your pre-flight briefing a reality check. These correction factors save you from nasty surprises once you're airborne. Airspeed Indicator Overview
  9. Pressure Altitude Basics - Set your altimeter to 29.92 in. Hg and voilà - you've got pressure altitude, a must-have for accurate performance numbers. It's simple, but skipping it is like baking a cake without preheating the oven. Aircraft Performance and Pressure Altitude
  10. 3° Glideslope Descent Rate - To fly a perfect 3° approach, use Rate of Descent (fpm) = 5 × Groundspeed. It's math you can dance to - steady, predictable, and always on target for touchdown. Instrument Flying Formulas
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