FAA Cross-Country Planning Test 2 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: On a cross-country flight, point A is crossed at 1500 hours and the plan is to reach point B at 1530 hours. Use the following information to determine the indicated airspeed required to reach point B on schedule.

126 knots.
137 knots. (Correct answer)
152 knots.

Correct answer: 137 knots.

To determine the indicated airspeed required, first calculate the available time for the flight segment (30 minutes or 0.5 hours). Then, divide the specific distance between point A and point B (which for this problem is 68.5 NM) by the time in hours to find the required groundspeed. In the absence of other atmospheric data or wind, this required groundspeed (137 knots) is considered the target indicated airspeed for the flight.

Question 2: On the calculator side of the flight computer, distance in miles is always found on which scale?

Outer. (Correct answer)
Inner.
Far inner.

Correct answer: Outer.

On the calculator side of a flight computer (E6B), the outer scale is designated for distance in miles (or nautical miles) and also for speed. The inner scale, conversely, is primarily used for time in minutes.

Question 3: On the calculator side of the flight computer, time is always found on which scale(s)?

Outer.
Inner scale only.
Inner scale and far inner scale. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Inner scale and far inner scale.

On the calculator side of a flight computer (E6B), time is represented on both the inner scale (for minutes) and the far inner scale (for hours). The inner scale typically ranges from 10 to 60 minutes, while the far inner scale provides corresponding hourly values.

Question 4: How fast are you flying if you travel 2 miles in 1 minute?

30 miles per hour.
60 miles per hour.
120 miles per hour. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 120 miles per hour.

To calculate speed, divide the distance traveled by the time taken. If you travel 2 miles in 1 minute, your speed is 2 miles per minute. To convert this to miles per hour, multiply by 60 (since there are 60 minutes in an hour), resulting in a speed of 120 miles per hour.

Question 5: How fast are you flying if you travel 3 miles in 2 minutes?

60 miles per hour.
90 miles per hour. (Correct answer)
12 miles per hour.

Correct answer: 90 miles per hour.

To determine your speed, divide the distance traveled by the time it took. Traveling 3 miles in 2 minutes means you are flying at a rate of 1.5 miles per minute. To express this in miles per hour, multiply 1.5 by 60 (the number of minutes in an hour), which gives you 90 miles per hour.

Question 6: How long will it take you to fly 300 miles at 120 miles per hour

15 minutes.
150 minutes. (Correct answer)
230 minutes.

Correct answer: 150 minutes.

To calculate the time required for a flight, divide the total distance by the speed. In this case, divide 300 miles by 120 miles per hour to get 2.5 hours. To convert this to minutes, multiply 2.5 hours by 60 minutes per hour, which equals 150 minutes.

Question 7: How far will you travel if you fly at 100 miles per hour for 2 hours and 30 minutes?

150 miles.
230 miles.
250 miles. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 250 miles.

To determine the distance traveled, multiply your speed by the duration of the flight. First, convert 2 hours and 30 minutes into a decimal form of hours (2.5 hours). Then, multiply your speed of 100 miles per hour by 2.5 hours, which results in a total distance of 250 miles.

Question 8: How fast are you flying if you travel 18 miles in 8 minutes?

60 miles per hour.
135 miles per hour. (Correct answer)
180 miles per hour.

Correct answer: 135 miles per hour.

To calculate your speed, divide the distance traveled by the time taken. Traveling 18 miles in 8 minutes means you are covering 2.25 miles per minute. To convert this rate to miles per hour, multiply 2.25 by 60 (the number of minutes in an hour), yielding a speed of 135 miles per hour.

Question 9: How far will you travel if you fly at 110 miles per hour for 11 minutes?

20 miles. (Correct answer)
33 miles.
200 miles.

Correct answer: 20 miles.

To calculate the distance traveled, multiply your speed by the duration of the flight. First, convert 11 minutes into hours by dividing by 60 (approximately 0.1833 hours). Then, multiply your speed of 110 miles per hour by this hourly time, which results in a total distance of about 20 miles.

Question 10: A basic rule to remember when using the calculator side of the flight computer is

wind correction angle goes first.
that on the outer scale, 10 always represents 10 miles.
how fast goes first. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: how fast goes first.

A fundamental rule for using the calculator side of the E6B is to always start by setting the 'rate' or 'how fast' value (e.g., speed, fuel burn rate) on the outer scale, aligning it with the 60-minute mark (the 'rate index') on the inner scale. This establishes the ratio for subsequent calculations of time, distance, or fuel consumed.

Question 11: A basic rule to remember when using the calculator side of the flight computer is

miles are always on the inner scale.
minutes are always on the outer scale.
"does the answer make sense?" (Correct answer)

Correct answer: "does the answer make sense?"

A crucial rule when using any calculation tool, including the flight computer, is to always perform a common sense check on the answer. This helps catch gross errors, such as misreading a scale or misplacing a decimal, ensuring the calculated value is reasonable in the context of the problem.

Question 12: If you are using fuel at the rate of 8 gallons per hour, how many gallons will you use in 3 hours and 30 minutes?

21 gallons.
28 gallons. (Correct answer)
33 gallons.

Correct answer: 28 gallons.

To calculate the total fuel used, multiply the fuel consumption rate by the duration of the flight. First, convert 3 hours and 30 minutes into a decimal form of hours (3.5 hours). Then, multiply the fuel burn rate of 8 gallons per hour by 3.5 hours, which results in a total fuel consumption of 28 gallons.

Question 13: How many gallons per hour are you using if you use 36 gallons in 4 hours and 30 minutes?

8 gallons per hour. (Correct answer)
9 gallons per hour.
27 gallons per hour.

Correct answer: 8 gallons per hour.

To determine the fuel consumption rate, divide the total fuel used by the duration of the flight. First, convert 4 hours and 30 minutes into a decimal form of hours (4.5 hours). Then, divide the 36 gallons of fuel used by 4.5 hours, which calculates to a fuel consumption rate of 8 gallons per hour.

Question 14: When using a navigation plotter, it is important to note that

zero miles is not at the physical end of the plotter. (Correct answer)
shrinkage of the plastic is not possible.
the Sectional scale and the WAC scale are on the same side of the plotter.

Correct answer: zero miles is not at the physical end of the plotter.

When using a navigation plotter, it's important to note that the 'zero miles' mark is typically not at the physical end of the plotter. Instead, it's usually offset slightly from the end to allow for accurate measurement right up to the edge of a chart or for aligning with a specific point.

Question 15: Typical scales on the navigation plotter are

miles per hour and kilometers per hour.
nautical and stationary.
Sectional and WAC. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Sectional and WAC.

Navigation plotters are designed with specific scales to match aviation charts. The typical scales found on a navigation plotter are the Sectional scale (1:500,000) and the WAC (World Aeronautical Chart) scale (1:1,000,000), allowing pilots to accurately measure distances on different types of aeronautical charts.

Question 16: True course is

the direction the nose is pointed.
course referenced to true north. (Correct answer)
the speed of the aircraft through the air.

Correct answer: course referenced to true north.

True course is defined as the intended path of an aircraft over the ground, measured in degrees clockwise from true north. It represents the geographical direction of travel, uncorrected for wind or magnetic influences.

Question 17: Magnetic course is

course referenced to lines of latitude and longitude.
the direction the nose is pointed referenced to magnetic north.
course referenced to magnetic north. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: course referenced to magnetic north.

Magnetic course is the true course corrected for local magnetic variation. It is the intended path of an aircraft over the ground, measured in degrees clockwise from magnetic north, which is the direction a magnetic compass points.

Question 18: Magnetic heading is

the number you want to see in the glass of the compass to fly where you want to go.
the direction the nose is pointed referenced to magnetic north. (Correct answer)
the error in the compass due to magnetic fields in the aircraft.

Correct answer: the direction the nose is pointed referenced to magnetic north.

Magnetic heading refers to the aircraft's orientation relative to magnetic north, which is the direction indicated by a magnetic compass. It is the actual direction the aircraft's nose is pointing, uncorrected for compass errors like deviation. This differs from true heading, which is referenced to geographic north.

Question 19: True airspeed is

the speed of the wind over the ground.
the speed of the aircraft over the ground.
the speed of the aircraft through the air. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: the speed of the aircraft through the air.

True airspeed (TAS) is the actual speed at which an aircraft moves through the surrounding air mass. Unlike indicated airspeed, TAS corrects for air density variations due to altitude and temperature. It is crucial for accurate navigation and flight planning, as it directly affects the time required to cover a certain distance through the air.

Question 20: Which equation is correct?

TC + or - WCA = TH. (Correct answer)
TH + or - DEV = MH.
MH + or - VAR = CH.

Correct answer: TC + or - WCA = TH.

This equation represents the relationship between True Course (TC), Wind Correction Angle (WCA), and True Heading (TH). True Course is the desired path over the ground, while the Wind Correction Angle is applied to counteract the effect of wind. Adding or subtracting the WCA from the TC yields the True Heading, which is the direction the aircraft's nose must be pointed to maintain the desired course over the ground.

Question 21: Once you have determined magnetic heading, compass heading is found by applying

wind correction angle.
magnetic variation.
deviation error. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: deviation error.

Deviation error is caused by magnetic fields within the aircraft itself, such as electrical currents and ferrous metals, which interfere with the magnetic compass. After determining the magnetic heading (which accounts for magnetic variation), deviation error must be applied to find the compass heading. This final correction provides the reading that should be observed on the aircraft's magnetic compass to fly the desired magnetic heading.

Question 22: The wind side of the flight computer is used to determine

magnetic variation.
groundspeed and wind correction angle. (Correct answer)
rate of fuel consumption.

Correct answer: groundspeed and wind correction angle.

The wind side of a flight computer (E6B) is a specialized tool used to solve wind triangle problems. By inputting true airspeed, true course, and wind direction/speed, pilots can graphically determine the resulting groundspeed and the necessary wind correction angle. These calculations are essential for accurate flight planning and navigation, ensuring the aircraft stays on course and arrives at its destination on time.

Question 23: When solving a wind problem on the wind side of the flight computer, the first information to enter on the wind side is

groundspeed.
true course.
the wind. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: the wind.

To accurately solve a wind problem on the wind side of a flight computer, the wind direction and speed are typically the first parameters to be set. This involves rotating the compass rose to align the wind direction with the true index and then marking the wind velocity on the grid. This initial setup establishes the wind vector, allowing subsequent calculations for groundspeed and wind correction angle.

Question 24: How far will an aircraft travel in 7.5 minutes with a ground speed of 114 knots?

14.25 NM. (Correct answer)
15.00 NM.
14.50 NM.

Correct answer: 14.25 NM.

To calculate the distance, use the formula Distance = Speed × Time. First, convert 7.5 minutes to hours by dividing by 60 (7.5 / 60 = 0.125 hours). Then, multiply the ground speed (114 knots) by the time in hours (0.125 hours). This yields 114 × 0.125 = 14.25 nautical miles.

FAA Cross-Country Planning Test 2

On a cross-country flight, point A is crossed at 1500 hours and the plan is to reach point B at 1530 hours.
Use the following information to determine the indicated airspeed required to reach point B on schedule.