The FAA October test cycle resulted in very few changes or updates to the FAA Airman Knowledge Tests. The FAA Aviation Exam Board continues to work to align questions within the context of a specific Area of Operation/Task as outlined in the various Airman Certification Standards publications. The goal of this boarding process is to ensure all test questions correlate to a knowledge, risk management or skill element. The FAA makes their intentions clear by the Frequently Asked Questions and What’s New documents which are posted each test cycle. Below is a list of the most recent changes affecting all knowledge test question banks. The next test cycle is expected February 2018.
- References to the Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) have been changed to this publication’s new name, “Chart Supplement.”
- U.S. format Flight Plans – New questions based on the new U.S. flight plan will be developed and implemented by June 2018.
- Student Pilot/Medical Certificate – New questions based on the Student Pilot Certificate rule that took effect on 1 April 2016 are expected by October 16, 2017.
- Rote memorization questions such as the following have been removed (e.g., Validity period for unscheduled products such as SIGMETS).
- Operationally irrelevant questions have been removed (e.g., Meaning of brackets near station model on a WX depiction chart).
- The following topics have been removed from FAA Knowledge Tests (effective June 12, 2017):
- 4-panel prog charts
- Weather depiction chart
- Area forecasts
- Aerobatic flight
Recent changes affecting the Private Pilot Airplane Knowledge Test:
- Aircraft performance and weather questions that involve multiple interpolations across multiple charts do not include multiple interpolations across multiple charts.
Recent changes affecting the Instrument Rating Airplane Knowledge Test:
- The following subjects have been removed:
- Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR) approaches
- Composite Flight Plans
- Designation of instruments as “primary” or “secondary” for aircraft control
- Inner Marker, Middle Marker
- Specific number of degrees on glide path
- Time and distance questions involving multiple interpolation
- BARO VNAV (IRA ONLY)
- Back Course Approaches (IRA ONLY)
- LDA & SDF (IRA ONLY)
- Aircraft performance and weather questions that involve multiple interpolations across multiple charts
These changes have been noted by ASA and updates for Prepware Software, Prepware Online, and Test Prep books will be available shortly. If you would like to be notified when these updates have become available be sure to follow the link below and sign-up for notifications.
http://www.asa2fly.com/testupdate
UPDATES from ASA
- Newly updated ASA Checkride apps are now available in both the apple and android app stores.
- The ASA FAR/AIM and FAR/AMT apps are current through June 15th, 2017 to reflect the 2018 FAR/AIM book series. Another update will be available towards the end of October.
- The Dictionary of Aeronautical Terms 6th Edition is now available.
- The Students Pilots Flight Manual 11th Edition by William Kershner just arrived this week and is now available to order.
