Pilot's Quiz - Aviation Safety

Key to Answers: 1-c, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b, 5-b, 6-b, 7-c, 8-b, 9-b, 10-a

Every FAA Administrator proudly declares that safety is the primary concern of the administration. (It's often quipped that if a new mop was needed in the FAA building it would be reported as a safety purchase.) But, safety is a serious subject. Let's test some safety questions.

1. The aviation safety and reporting system (ASRS) was developed and is operated by the:

a. Federal Aviation Administration
b. National Transportation Board
c. National Aeronautics and Space Administration

2. If an emergency landing must be made in trees, it is best to:

a. Land gear up
b. Land gear down
c. Depends on circumstances and aircraft type

3. When landing on featureless terrain (dark areas, water, etc.), illusions can indicate:

a. Pilot is higher than actual
b. Pilot is lower than actual
c. No difference

4. The first fatality in powered flight took the life of:

a. Samuel Langley
b. Lt. Thomas Selfridge
c. Alberto Santos-Dumont

5. Between 1994 and 2003, what percentage of U.S. aviation accidents had weather as a contributing or causal factor?

a. 5.3 percent
b. 21.3 percent
c. 46.1 percent

6. NOTAMS now warn about UAVs that might be at any altitude in or out of special use airspace. What are UAVs?

a. Ultrasonic Attack Vehicles
b. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
c. U.S. Advanced Vigilance

7. When approaching a mountain ridge from the downwind side, it is recommended that the ridge be approached at approximately what angle?

a. Straight on
b. 10 degrees
c. 45 degrees

8. Ejector seats are used in some military aircraft for safety in emergencies. When was the first ejector seat tested?

a. 1939
b. 1912
c. 1963

9. What percentage of aviation accidents is due to mechanical problems?

a. 7 percent
b. 15 percent
c. 26 percent

10. Night vision deterioration can occur at a cabin pressure as low as:

a. 5,000 feet
b. 12,000 feet
c. 18,000 feet

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