FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane Written Knowledge Test Practice Test
Build your confidence for FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane Written Knowledge Test. Practice the concepts, understand the answers, and strengthen your knowledge one question at a time.
Try a sample questionExam overview and details
The FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane Written Knowledge Test is a critical component of the certification pathway for pilots seeking to operate aircraft for compensation or hire. This comprehensive examination, formally known as the Airman Knowledge Test (AKT), assesses a candidate's mastery of advanced aeronautical knowledge beyond the private pilot level. Successfully passing this computer-based test, administered at FAA-approved testing centers, is a mandatory prerequisite for the practical (checkride) examination. The test validates a pilot's understanding of complex aircraft systems, high-performance operations, commercial regulations, advanced aerodynamics, sophisticated weather analysis, and commercial flight planning. Earning a passing score demonstrates to employers, insurers, and the aviation community that the pilot possesses the foundational knowledge required for professional flight operations, marking the transition from recreational aviator to aviation professional. The certification is governed under 14 CFR Part 61 and is a non-negotiable step for careers in charter, aerial application, flight instruction, and corporate aviation.
Sample Questions
Choose an answer and explore the explanation to see how practice works.
You are taxiing at a Class B airport and the controller says, 'N12345, taxi to runway 27R via Bravo, hold short of runway 33L.' What are you permitted to do?
A commercial pilot reviewing a 2025 digital chart sees a magenta airport symbol, a dashed blue airspace boundary, and a note that the control tower operates part time. The planned arrival is after tower closure. Which preflight action is best?
During preflight you find aviation 100LL fuel that has a slight bluish color but a small amount of clear water visible at the bottom of the sample. What is the correct action?
Refer to a Cessna 172 runup. At 1,700 RPM, you select the LEFT magneto and observe a 100-RPM drop, then BOTH and 0 drop, then RIGHT magneto and observe a 250-RPM drop. The maximum allowable drop is 175 RPM and the maximum allowable difference between magnetos is 50 RPM.
What is the correct action?
A normally aspirated Cessna 182 is loaded 45 lb under maximum gross for a mountain charter at 8,200 ft density altitude. The takeoff chart assumes paved, level, dry runway and zero wind, but the actual runway is uphill grass with a 4-knot tailwind. Which conclusion is most defensible?
Career Opportunities & Salary
Exam insights and study advice
This examination is the formal gatekeeper to professional pilot status. Passing it is not merely an academic exercise; it is a recognized industry benchmark that signifies a pilot's readiness to undertake the responsibilities of commercial operations. It is a prerequisite for obtaining the Commercial Pilot Certificate, which is legally required to be paid for pilot services. For career advancement, it is the foundational step toward higher certifications like Flight Instructor (CFI), Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), and specialized ratings. Airlines, charter operators, and corporate flight departments view this credential as a minimum standard of aeronautical knowledge, making it essential for resume credibility and competitive hiring. It represents a significant commitment to professionalism and safety in the national airspace system.
What this exam covers
01Advanced Topics
Advanced concepts and techniques
02Best Practices
Industry best practices and standards
03Core Knowledge
Essential knowledge areas
04Fundamentals
Basic concepts and principles
05Practical Application
Real-world application of concepts