Free FAA Recreational Pilot Practice Test
This is a free FAA Recreational Pilot practice test — 50 questions in the same format as the real RPA knowledge test, scored at the 70% FAA pass mark. It drills what the recreational certificate actually turns on: the 180-horsepower and fixed-gear aircraft limits, the 50 nautical mile rule, the airspace endorsement, and the fact that the certificate is day-only. Original questions, plain-English explanations, and a regulation or handbook reference on every one.
ACS-aligned study questions written by ATIS Alerts — not actual FAA test questions.
52 practice questions · 43 flashcards · 50-question test · 70% to pass
Class G airspace during the day, at or below 1,200 feet AGL, requires what minimum flight visibility for VFR?
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The RPA knowledge test at a glance
These are the FAA’s own numbers for the Recreational Pilot Airplane knowledge test, from the Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix. Our practice test matches them.
| FAA test code | RPA |
|---|---|
| Questions | 50 |
| Time allowed | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70% (35 correct) |
| Minimum age to test | 15 |
| Administered by | PSI, at an FAA-approved testing center |
Sample Recreational Pilot practice test questions
A few examples of the 52 ACS-aligned questions in this bank — correct answer marked.
Which weather conditions are characteristic of a stable air mass?
- A. Cumuliform clouds, turbulence, and good visibility.
- B. Frequent thunderstorms and gusty surface winds.
- C. Stratiform clouds, smooth air, and poor visibility. ✓
- D. Showery precipitation and strong vertical currents.
Stable air resists vertical motion: layered stratus clouds, steady drizzle, smooth flying, and haze that traps visibility. Unstable air gives you the opposite — cumulus buildups, bumps, showers, and clear air between them.
Reference: PHAK ch.12
A displaced threshold on a runway means that portion of the runway —
- A. may not be used for any purpose.
- B. may be used only for landing touchdown.
- C. is reserved exclusively for helicopter operations.
- D. may be used for taxi, takeoff, and landing rollout, but not for landing touchdown. ✓
A displaced threshold is usable pavement, just not for touchdown — you may take off from it, taxi on it, and roll out onto it from the opposite direction. A blast pad or stopway marked with yellow chevrons, by contrast, is not usable at all.
Reference: AIM 2-3-3
An airplane departs an airport at a pressure altitude of 3,000 feet with a temperature of 30 °C. Compared with standard conditions, the density altitude will be —
- A. exactly 3,000 feet, because pressure altitude is already corrected.
- B. lower than 3,000 feet, improving takeoff and climb performance.
- C. unchanged, because density altitude depends only on elevation.
- D. higher than 3,000 feet, degrading takeoff and climb performance. ✓
Standard temperature at 3,000 feet is about 9 °C, so 30 °C is roughly 21 °C warmer than standard. Warmer than standard means density altitude is higher than pressure altitude — expect a noticeably longer roll and a weaker climb.
Reference: PHAK ch.11
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, what is the minimum safe altitude over a congested area?
- A. 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft. ✓
- B. 1,000 feet above the surface.
- C. 2,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 1,000 feet.
- D. 500 feet above the surface.
Over congested areas: 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet horizontally. Over other than congested areas: 500 feet AGL, and over open water or sparsely populated areas you need only stay 500 feet from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
Reference: 14 CFR 91.119
Without additional training and an endorsement, a recreational pilot may not act as pilot in command on a flight that is more than —
- A. 25 nautical miles from the departure airport.
- B. 50 nautical miles from the departure airport. ✓
- C. 50 statute miles from the departure airport.
- D. 100 nautical miles from the departure airport.
The base certificate is a local-flying certificate: 50 NM from the departure airport. Cross-country training and a §61.101(c) endorsement lift the limit — the same pattern as the airspace endorsement.
Reference: 14 CFR 61.101(c)
About the Recreational Pilot written test
The Recreational Pilot Airplane knowledge test (RPA) is 50 multiple-choice questions with a time limit of 2 hours, administered by PSI at approved testing centers. You need 70% — 35 of 50— to pass, and the questions are drawn from the FAA Airman Certification Standards. Bring a valid photo ID and your instructor’s endorsement (or an approved equivalent), and plan to keep your test report — you’ll review any missed areas with your instructor before the practical test. Knowledge test results are valid for 24 calendar months.
From study to the real sky
Weather is a big slice of every airplane written — and it stays useful long after you pass. Practice on the real thing:
Practice weather knowledge, then watch it live
Track any airport with ATIS Alerts and get a Telegram message when the ATIS changes or conditions drop — free, no app to install.
Free FAA Recreational Pilot practice test FAQ
How many questions are on the recreational pilot written test?
50 questions, with a 2-hour limit and a 70% passing score — 35 of 50 correct.
What is the FAA code for the recreational pilot airplane test?
RPA.
What aircraft can a recreational pilot fly?
An airplane certificated for no more than four occupants, with a single engine of no more than 180 horsepower and fixed landing gear. Only one passenger may be carried.
What is the 50 nautical mile rule?
A recreational pilot may not act as pilot in command more than 50 nautical miles from the departure airport without cross-country training and a logbook endorsement under 14 CFR 61.101(c).
Can a recreational pilot fly at night?
No. Flight between sunset and sunrise is prohibited, and unlike the sport pilot certificate there is no endorsement that lifts it — moving up to a private pilot certificate is the path to night flying.
Do recreational pilots need a medical certificate?
Yes — at least a third-class medical certificate. This is the main practical difference from the sport pilot certificate, which allows a valid U.S. driver's license instead.
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