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
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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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