Unit 6 review: Regulations

A mixed check of all 6 lessons in this unit. Mixing topics is harder than one lesson at a time, and that's the point: it's how the written test and the oral exam ask.

The unit in one minute

Private pilot privileges and limitationsNo flying passengers or property for compensation or hire.
Currency, flight reviews and nightFlight review every 24 calendar months: 1 hour ground + 1 hour flight.
Aircraft documents and inspectionsOn board: ARROW (airworthiness, registration, radio license if international, operating limitations, weight and balance).
Required equipment and inoperative instrumentsDay VFR: A TOMATO FLAMES. Night VFR: add FLAPS.
Fuel, right-of-way and minimum altitudesVFR fuel reserve: 30 minutes day, 45 minutes night.
Alcohol, oxygen and accident reportingAlcohol: 8 hours, not under the influence, below 0.04 BAC.

Mixed check

12 questions pulled from across the unit. Wrong answers explain why and point you back to the lesson.

Check: To act as PIC of an airplane with retractable gear, flaps and a controllable-pitch propeller, you need:Answer: A complex endorsement. That defines a complex airplane (61.31(e)).

Check: Without an MEL, inoperative equipment that isn't required must be:Answer: Removed (by an authorized person, with records) or deactivated and placarded inoperative. 91.213(d)(3) requires removal (cockpit control placarded, 43.9 record) or deactivation and placarding, with Part 43 maintenance rules applying when deactivation involves maintenance.

Check: How often do you need a flight review to act as pilot in command?Answer: Every 24 calendar months. 61.56 requires a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months.

Check: A rental airplane used for flight instruction is due for its 100-hour inspection. How far can it be flown past 100 hours?Answer: Up to 10 hours, only to reach a place where the inspection can be done. 91.409(b) allows up to 10 hours to reach the inspection location; the excess counts toward the next 100 hours.

Check: Which landings count toward night passenger currency?Answer: Full-stop landings between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise. 61.57(b) requires full stops in that window.

Check: What is the minimum altitude over a congested area?Answer: 1,000 ft above the highest obstacle within 2,000 ft horizontally. 91.119(b): 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet.

Check: You and two friends share a genuine common purpose: all three of you want to visit the same fly-in. Rental and fuel cost $360. Assuming the flight meets the other cost-sharing conditions, what's the least you can pay?Answer: $120. Pro rata means equal shares among the occupants: $360 ÷ 3 = $120. Equal shares alone don't make a flight legal: you must share a common purpose (you'd be going anyway) and not hold out to carry passengers. A trip made only for your passengers isn't legal just because everyone paid a third (AC 61-142).

Explain it to your CFI

Say each one out loud in your own words, in under a minute. If you stall, reread that lesson. This is exactly what an examiner looks for.

Private pilot privileges and limitations. Explain what a private pilot can and can't do for money
Currency, flight reviews and night. Explain the flight review requirement
Aircraft documents and inspections. List the documents that must be on board (ARROW)
Required equipment and inoperative instruments. List the required equipment for day and night VFR
Fuel, right-of-way and minimum altitudes. Know the VFR fuel reserve rules
Alcohol, oxygen and accident reporting. State the alcohol rules for pilots

What the examiner may ask

What extra equipment is required for night VFR?

FLAPS: fuses (if used, a spare set accessible in flight), landing light if for hire, anticollision lights, position lights, and a source of electricity.

Review: Required equipment and inoperative instruments →

Your airplane's attitude indicator is inoperative. Can you go on a day VFR flight?

Possibly. It isn't required by 91.205(b) for day VFR, so check the type certificate, the equipment list and ADs; if not required, placard it 'Inoperative' (or remove it) and decide it's safe.

Review: Required equipment and inoperative instruments →

You landed three times at noon last week. Can you carry passengers tonight?

Not at night unless you also have three full-stop takeoffs and landings between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise within the last 90 days.

Review: Currency, flight reviews and night →

When is oxygen required?

Crew above 12,500 ft up to 14,000 ft for more than 30 minutes; crew at all times above 14,000 ft; passengers provided oxygen above 15,000 ft (91.211).

Review: Alcohol, oxygen and accident reporting →