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Four decks of pilot ground-school and checkride essentials — 96 cards covering weather & METARs, airspace, radio & ATC, and aerodynamics. Tap a card to flip it, shuffle the deck, and mark what you know so you can drill only what's left. Everything runs in your browser and your progress saves on this device.
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These four decks map to the areas student pilots miss most on the FAA knowledge test and the checkride oral: reading weather and METARs, sorting out airspace, sounding sharp on the radio, and explaining how the wing actually flies. Work one deck at a time, shuffle once you can get through it clean, then move on. When you want to see a concept in action, jump to the matching free tool — decode a live report in the METAR decoder, or run the numbers in the performance calculator and weight & balance calculator.
Browse All 96 Cards
Every question and answer in the decks, laid out for quick reference or a last-minute skim before a lesson. Click any question to reveal the answer.
Weather & METAR 24 cards
Decode any METAR or TAF, read the sky, and know your VFR weather minimums cold.
What are the parts of a METAR, in order?
Type, station (ICAO ident), day/time (Zulu), wind, visibility, weather, sky condition, temperature/dewpoint, altimeter, then remarks (RMK). Example: METAR KJFK 121853Z 18012KT 10SM FEW050 28/19 A2992 RMK AO2.
How is the date/time reported? Decode "121853Z".
Two-digit day of the month plus four-digit time in UTC/Zulu. 121853Z = the 12th at 1853 Zulu.
Decode the wind group "24016G28KT".
Wind from 240° true at 16 knots, gusting to 28 knots. VRB = variable direction; 00000KT = calm; a group like 180V240 in remarks shows variable direction limits.
Decode visibility "1 1/2SM", "10SM", and "M1/4SM".
Prevailing visibility in statute miles: 1.5 SM, 10 (or more) SM, and less than 1/4 SM. M means "less than."
List the METAR sky-cover codes and their coverage in oktas (eighths).
SKC/CLR = clear, FEW = 1–2/8, SCT (scattered) = 3–4/8, BKN (broken) = 5–7/8, OVC (overcast) = 8/8. Heights are in hundreds of feet AGL (BKN035 = 3,500 ft).
What defines a "ceiling"?
The height AGL of the lowest BROKEN or OVERCAST layer (or the vertical visibility into an obscuration). FEW and SCT layers are not ceilings.
Decode temperature/dewpoint "M04/M07" and "28/19".
Temperature/dewpoint in °C, M = minus. So −4°C/−7°C, and 28°C/19°C.
Decode the altimeter group "A2992".
Altimeter setting 29.92 inHg. Standard sea-level pressure is 29.92 inHg (1013.2 hPa).
What does a small temperature–dewpoint spread tell you?
The air is near saturation (high humidity). A spread within a few degrees means fog, mist, or low clouds are likely — expect reduced visibility and ceilings.
What do the intensity/proximity prefixes "-", "+", and "VC" mean?
"-" = light, no sign = moderate, "+" = heavy, and VC = in the vicinity (5–10 SM from the field, not at it).
Decode common weather codes: RA, SN, DZ, TSRA, FG, BR, FZRA, GR, HZ.
RA rain, SN snow, DZ drizzle, TSRA thunderstorm with rain, FG fog, BR mist, FZRA freezing rain, GR hail, HZ haze. Descriptors add detail: SH showers, TS thunderstorm, FZ freezing, BL blowing.
METAR vs TAF — what's the difference?
A METAR reports OBSERVED current conditions at an airport (issued about hourly). A TAF is a FORECAST for roughly a 5 SM radius of the airport, usually valid 24–30 hours.
Give the ceiling/visibility limits for VFR, MVFR, IFR, and LIFR.
VFR: ceiling > 3,000 ft AND vis > 5 SM. MVFR: 1,000–3,000 ft and/or 3–5 SM. IFR: 500 to < 1,000 ft and/or 1 to < 3 SM. LIFR: < 500 ft and/or < 1 SM.
Basic VFR weather minimums in Class B airspace?
3 SM flight visibility and remain CLEAR OF CLOUDS.
VFR visibility and cloud clearance in Class C, D, and E below 10,000 ft MSL?
3 SM visibility; stay 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, and 2,000 ft horizontally from clouds. Mnemonic: "3-152."
VFR minimums in Class E at or above 10,000 ft MSL?
5 SM visibility; 1,000 ft below, 1,000 ft above, and 1 SM horizontally from clouds (aircraft go faster up high, so bigger margins).
VFR minimums in Class G, daytime, at or below 1,200 ft AGL?
1 SM visibility and clear of clouds. At night, or higher up, the requirements increase (generally 3 SM and 152 cloud clearance).
State the standard atmosphere (ISA) sea-level values and lapse rates.
15°C and 29.92 inHg (1013.2 hPa) at sea level. Temperature lapses about 2°C per 1,000 ft; pressure drops about 1 inHg per 1,000 ft.
What is density altitude and why does it matter?
Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature — the altitude the airplane "feels." High density altitude (hot, high, humid) means less lift and thrust: longer takeoff rolls and weaker climb.
What does "RMK" begin, and what is the difference between AO1 and AO2?
RMK begins the remarks section. AO2 = an automated station WITH a precipitation discriminator; AO1 = automated WITHOUT one.
What is RVR and how is it reported?
Runway Visual Range — visibility measured down a specific runway by a transmissometer, reported in feet (e.g., R06/2400FT). Used in low-visibility operations.
Name the main fog types a pilot should recognize.
Radiation (clear, calm nights), advection (warm moist air over a cool surface, needs wind), upslope (moist air forced up terrain), steam fog (cold air over warm water), and freezing fog (FZFG).
What is a temperature inversion, and why care?
Temperature increases with altitude instead of decreasing — very stable air. It traps haze/smoke (poor visibility), gives smooth air, and can cause fog and low-level wind shear.
Decode the TAF change groups FM, BECMG, and TEMPO.
FM = a rapid change FROM a stated time. BECMG = a gradual, lasting change over a period. TEMPO = temporary fluctuations lasting under an hour each, expected less than half the period.
Airspace 24 cards
Class A through G, entry and equipment rules, special-use areas, and how it all looks on the sectional.
Class A airspace — altitudes and rules?
18,000 ft MSL up to and including FL600. IFR only — an instrument rating and an ATC clearance are required. No VFR flight.
Class B — shape, altitudes, and how you enter.
Surrounds the nation's busiest airports; surface to about 10,000 ft MSL, shaped like an upside-down wedding cake. You must receive a specific clearance — "cleared into the Bravo" — before entering.
Equipment and pilot requirements for Class B?
Two-way radio, a Mode C transponder, and ADS-B Out. At least a private certificate — or a student/sport/recreational pilot with the required endorsement (student solo is prohibited at ~12 of the busiest Class B airports).
Class C — dimensions and entry requirement?
Around airports with a tower, radar approach control, and moderate traffic. Typically surface–4,000 ft AGL: a 5 NM inner core and a 10 NM outer shelf (1,200–4,000 AGL). Two-way radio communication must be ESTABLISHED before entry.
When is two-way radio communication "established"?
When ATC replies using your call sign. "N123, standby" = established (you may enter). "Aircraft calling, standby" without your call sign = NOT established — remain clear.
Class D — dimensions and entry?
Surrounds a towered airport (no radar service by the tower). Roughly surface to 2,500 ft AGL and about 4 NM radius, tailored to the instrument approaches. Two-way radio communication must be established.
What is Class E airspace?
Controlled airspace that isn't A, B, C, or D. Floors are commonly 700 ft AGL (magenta shading), 1,200 ft AGL (blue shading), or the surface; it extends up to but not including 18,000 ft MSL. No clearance is needed for VFR.
What is Class G airspace?
Uncontrolled airspace — from the surface up to the overlying Class E floor. ATC has no authority there, and VFR weather minimums are the lowest. Common in remote and low-altitude areas.
Prohibited vs Restricted areas?
Prohibited (P-): flight is banned entirely (e.g., P-56 over the U.S. Capitol/White House). Restricted (R-): invisible hazards such as artillery or missiles — you may transit only with the controlling agency's permission, and only when it is not "hot."
What is an MOA (Military Operations Area)?
Airspace that separates military training from IFR traffic. VFR flight through an active MOA is legal without a clearance, but use extreme caution and request advisories; verify whether it is active.
Warning Area vs Alert Area?
Warning Area (W-): hazardous activity starting 3 NM or more offshore over international waters. Alert Area (A-): high volume of pilot training or unusual activity — every pilot shares equal responsibility for see-and-avoid.
Where are a transponder and ADS-B Out required (91.215 / 91.225)?
In Class A, B, and C; above the lateral limits of Class B or C up to 10,000 ft MSL; within the Mode C Veil (30 NM of a Class B primary airport); and generally at and above 10,000 ft MSL (except at or below 2,500 ft AGL).
What is the Mode C Veil?
A 30 NM radius ring around a Class B primary airport, within which a Mode C transponder and ADS-B Out are required from the surface upward.
Maximum speed below 10,000 ft MSL?
250 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS).
Speed limit beneath a Class B shelf or in a VFR corridor through Class B?
200 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS).
Speed limit within 4 NM of a Class C or D primary airport at or below 2,500 ft AGL?
200 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS).
How are Class B, C, D, and surface Class E drawn on a sectional?
Class B = solid blue lines. Class C = solid magenta lines. Class D = dashed blue lines. Class E to the surface = dashed magenta lines.
What do the fuzzy magenta and fuzzy blue vignettes mean?
Fuzzy magenta shading = Class E floor begins at 700 ft AGL. Fuzzy blue shading = Class E floor begins at 1,200 ft AGL. The airspace is on the shaded side of the line.
What is a TRSA?
Terminal Radar Service Area — overlays certain Class D/E airports and offers radar sequencing and separation. Participation is voluntary but recommended; depicted with solid gray lines.
What is Special VFR and where can you get it?
An ATC clearance to fly VFR in controlled airspace to the surface below normal VFR minimums (at least 1 SM visibility, clear of clouds), within the lateral limits at/below the airspace. Not offered at some busy airports; night SVFR requires an instrument rating and a properly equipped aircraft.
What is a TFR and why check for them?
A Temporary Flight Restriction — published by NOTAM around hazards, VIP movement, major sporting events, or disasters. Check NOTAMs before every flight; busting a TFR risks interception and enforcement action.
What airspace does the "3-152" cloud-clearance rule cover?
Class C, D, and E below 10,000 ft MSL: 3 SM visibility, 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, and 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds.
What service does Class C provide that Class D does not?
Class C has radar approach control providing sequencing and separation from IFR traffic plus traffic advisories to VFR aircraft. A Class D tower sequences runway traffic but does not provide radar separation itself.
What certificate does a student pilot need to enter certain Class B airports?
A logbook endorsement for that specific Class B airspace after ground and flight training. At about a dozen of the busiest Class B airports (listed in 91.131), student solo operations are prohibited entirely.
Radio, ATC & Clearances 24 cards
Phonetics, phraseology, ATIS, transponder codes, light-gun signals, and lost-comms procedures.
NATO phonetic alphabet, A through M.
Alfa, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike.
NATO phonetic alphabet, N through Z.
November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.
How are the numbers 3, 5, and 9 spoken on the radio?
Three = "tree," five = "fife," nine = "niner." Digits are usually spoken individually; altitudes are grouped (e.g., "ten thousand five hundred").
What are the four parts of an initial radio call?
Who you're calling, who you are, where you are, and what you want. Example: "Palo Alto Tower, Skyhawk 12345, ten miles south, landing with information Bravo."
Define Roger, Wilco, Affirmative, and Negative.
Roger = I received all of your last transmission (it does NOT mean "yes"). Wilco = will comply. Affirmative = yes. Negative = no.
Define "Say again," "Standby," "Unable," and "Say intentions."
Say again = repeat your last transmission. Standby = wait, I'll get back to you. Unable = I cannot comply. Say intentions = tell me what you plan to do.
What is ATIS and how do you use it?
Automatic Terminal Information Service — a recorded loop of weather and airport information at busy fields, updated hourly and labeled with a phonetic letter ("information Alpha"). Tell ATC you "have information Alpha" on first contact.
ASOS vs AWOS?
Automated weather stations that broadcast observations over a frequency or by phone at airports without ATIS. ASOS is the primary U.S. network (NWS/FAA); AWOS systems are often airport-owned and vary in what they report.
What does transponder code 1200 mean?
The standard VFR squawk code in the United States.
Meaning of emergency codes 7500, 7600, and 7700?
7500 = hijack/unlawful interference. 7600 = lost communications (radio failure). 7700 = emergency. Memory aid: "7500 taken alive, 7600 radio nix, 7700 going to heaven."
Define "squawk," "ident," and "squawk standby."
Squawk = set this transponder code. Ident = press the IDENT button to highlight your target on the controller's scope. Squawk standby = set the transponder to standby (no return transmitted).
STEADY GREEN light gun — in flight vs on the ground?
In flight: cleared to land. On the ground: cleared for takeoff.
FLASHING GREEN light gun — in flight vs on the ground?
In flight: return for landing (to be followed by a steady green). On the ground: cleared to taxi.
STEADY RED light gun — in flight vs on the ground?
In flight: give way to other aircraft and continue circling. On the ground: stop.
FLASHING RED light gun — in flight vs on the ground?
In flight: airport unsafe, do not land. On the ground: taxi clear of the runway in use.
FLASHING WHITE and ALTERNATING RED-AND-GREEN light gun signals?
Flashing white (ground only): return to your starting point on the airport. Alternating red-and-green: exercise extreme caution (applies in flight and on the ground).
The components of an IFR clearance — the "CRAFT" mnemonic?
Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency (departure), Transponder code. Copy it down and read it back.
VFR lost-communications procedure at a towered airport.
Squawk 7600, stay clear as needed, and watch the tower for light-gun signals. Acknowledge by rocking your wings (day) or flashing your landing light (night).
IFR lost comms — how do you choose route and altitude (91.185)?
Route "AVE-F": Assigned, Vectored (toward), Expected, or Filed — in that priority. Altitude "MEA": fly the HIGHEST of the Minimum En route Altitude, the Expected altitude, or the Assigned altitude for each segment.
What is the CTAF and how is it used?
Common Traffic Advisory Frequency — the frequency for self-announcing position and intentions at a non-towered airport. It may be a UNICOM, MULTICOM, or the tower frequency when the tower is closed.
UNICOM vs MULTICOM?
UNICOM = a non-government air/ground station giving advisories and services (often 122.7–123.0). MULTICOM (122.9) = used where there is no UNICOM or tower.
Which ATC instructions must be read back verbatim, and why?
Runway hold-short instructions, runway crossings, and any clearance onto or across a runway — read back with your call sign. Verbatim readback is the primary defense against runway incursions.
What does "line up and wait" mean?
Taxi onto the departure runway and hold in position, ready for takeoff. It is NOT a takeoff clearance — wait for "cleared for takeoff."
What is the emergency / guard frequency?
121.5 MHz — the VHF international air distress "guard" frequency. Monitor it when able; use it for emergencies or when you cannot reach ATC.
Aerodynamics & Lift 24 cards
The four forces, how a wing makes lift, angle of attack and stalls, drag, load factor, and stability.
Name the four forces acting on an airplane in flight.
Lift (up), Weight/gravity (down), Thrust (forward), and Drag (rearward). In unaccelerated straight-and-level flight they balance: lift = weight and thrust = drag.
How does a wing produce lift? (two complementary explanations)
It deflects air downward — Newton's third law gives an equal and opposite upward reaction — AND it creates lower pressure over the curved upper surface than beneath (Bernoulli). Both describe the same net upward force.
State the lift equation and its variables.
L = C_L × ½ρV² × S. C_L = coefficient of lift (airfoil shape and angle of attack), ρ = air density, V = velocity, S = wing area. Lift varies with the SQUARE of airspeed.
Define angle of attack.
The angle between the wing's chord line and the relative wind. It is NOT the same as pitch attitude — a wing can be at a high angle of attack at any pitch or airspeed.
What is the critical angle of attack, and what is a stall?
The critical AOA (about 16–18° for many airfoils) is where airflow separates and lift drops sharply. A stall is ALWAYS the result of exceeding the critical angle of attack — it can happen at any airspeed, weight, or attitude.
Distinguish chord line, relative wind, and flight path.
The chord line runs from the leading to the trailing edge. The relative wind is the airflow opposite the flight path. Angle of attack is the angle between the chord line and the relative wind.
Induced drag vs parasite drag — and where each dominates.
Induced drag is a by-product of producing lift (wingtip vortices); it is greatest at low speed / high AOA. Parasite drag (form, skin friction, interference) rises with the square of airspeed; it dominates at high speed.
What is L/D max?
The angle of attack (and corresponding airspeed) that gives the greatest lift-to-drag ratio — the point of minimum total drag. It yields best glide range and underlies best-endurance/economy speeds.
What is ground effect?
Within about one wingspan of the surface, wingtip vortices and induced drag are reduced. It can let an airplane lift off below normal flying speed or float during landing.
Name the four left-turning tendencies.
Torque (reaction to prop rotation), spiraling slipstream (strikes the tail on the left), P-factor (descending blade makes more thrust at high AOA), and gyroscopic precession (felt during pitch changes, e.g., a tailwheel takeoff).
What is P-factor?
Asymmetric propeller thrust. At a high angle of attack the descending (right) blade takes a larger bite of air than the ascending blade, producing more thrust on the right and yawing the nose left.
What is adverse yaw and how do you counter it?
When rolling into a bank, the rising (outside) wing has more lift and therefore more induced drag, yawing the nose away from the turn. Counter it with coordinated rudder into the turn.
How does stall speed change with load factor in a level turn?
Stall speed increases with the square root of the load factor: V_s(new) = V_s × √n. At a 60° bank the load factor is 2 G, so the stall speed rises about 41% (× 1.41).
Define load factor and give the values at 30°, 45°, and 60° of bank.
Load factor = lift ÷ weight (in G). In a level turn n = 1/cos(bank angle): 30° ≈ 1.15 G, 45° ≈ 1.41 G, 60° = 2.0 G.
Center of gravity vs center of pressure?
The CG is the airplane's weight balance point. The center of pressure is where the wing's total lift acts, and it moves fore/aft with angle of attack. Their relationship drives pitch stability.
Effects of a forward vs an aft CG?
Forward CG: more stable, higher stall speed, heavier control forces, more tail-down force and drag. Aft CG: less stable, lower stall speed, lighter controls — and if too far aft, dangerously unstable and hard to recover from a spin.
What do flaps do aerodynamically?
They increase wing camber (and, on some types, area) to raise the coefficient of lift — allowing slower flight and steeper approaches. They also add drag, which is greatest at high flap settings.
Name the three stability axes and their control surfaces.
Longitudinal stability = pitch about the lateral axis (elevator, CG, horizontal stabilizer). Lateral stability = roll about the longitudinal axis (dihedral). Directional stability = yaw about the vertical axis (vertical fin).
What is a spin, and what is the PARE recovery?
An aggravated stall with autorotation — one wing more deeply stalled than the other (yaw present at the stall). PARE: Power idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder full opposite the spin, Elevator forward to break the stall, then recover from the dive.
What is maneuvering speed (V_a), and why does it change with weight?
The maximum speed at which full, abrupt control deflection won't overstress the airframe — the wing stalls before it breaks. V_a DECREASES as weight decreases, so a lighter airplane has a lower maneuvering speed.
Angle of incidence vs angle of attack?
Angle of incidence is the FIXED angle at which the wing is mounted to the fuselage (built in by the designer). Angle of attack is variable and set by the pilot through pitch relative to the relative wind.
Why is stall speed (in indicated airspeed) about the same at any altitude?
A wing stalls at a fixed angle of attack, which corresponds to a fixed INDICATED airspeed (dynamic pressure). So the stall IAS stays nearly constant with altitude even though true airspeed increases.
What are wingtip vortices, and when are they strongest?
Circulating air spilling from the high-pressure area below the wingtip to the low-pressure area above — the source of induced drag and wake turbulence. They are strongest when an aircraft is heavy, clean (no flaps/gear), and slow.
What is the region of reversed command ("behind the power curve")?
The low-speed, high-AOA regime where MORE power is required to fly SLOWER because induced drag dominates. On approach it means correcting a low, slow condition may require adding power rather than only pitching down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these flashcards free?
Yes — the full interactive decks are free to use with no sign-up. They're built to help student pilots and rusty pilots review the fundamentals.
Do I need to create an account or install anything?
No. Everything runs in your web browser. Your "known" marks are saved locally on your device so your progress is waiting the next time you come back.
Where do the facts come from?
The cards are written from FAA sources — the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), the Aeronautical Information Manual, and 14 CFR Part 91. They're a study aid: always confirm current regulations and your aircraft's numbers against official sources.
Can I get a printable or Anki version?
Yes — the same cards are available as a printable kneeboard PDF and as an Anki deck for spaced repetition. Check the Downloads page.
Will more decks be added?
That's the plan — these four cover the highest-yield topics first. V-speeds, acronyms & checklists, airport signs & markings, and instruments are on the list.