PPAER · original practice questions
PPL Written Exam (PPAER) Practice Questions
Thirteen practice questions for the private pilot written, written for this page in the style of the PPAER: VFR weather minima, airspace, right of way, minimum altitudes, cruising altitudes, altimeter settings, a METAR to decode, fuel, airspeed and icing. Choose an answer, then open it to see why, with the regulation it comes from.
- Written for this pageOriginal practice questions in the style of the PPAER. None is a Transport Canada exam question, and any chart or report shown is invented for practice.
- Explained from the sourceEach explanation names the CARs section or TC AIM paragraph it relies on, quoted word for word where it is quoted.
The real PPAER is 100 questions; see the PPAER exam guide for its format and pass mark.
- Question 1 of 13Air Law — VFR Minima
You are flying VFR in controlled airspace, outside a control zone, with 4 miles flight visibility. How far from cloud must you stay?
Answer and explanation
Answer
3500 ft vertically and 1 mile horizontally
Explanation
In controlled airspace CARs 602.114(c) requires that "the distance of the aircraft from cloud is not less than 500 feet vertically and one mile horizontally". Your 4 miles already meets the 3-mile visibility rule of 602.114(b); the cloud distance is what is tested.
The other options
- 1500 ft vertically and 2,000 ft horizontally500 ft and 2,000 ft is the uncontrolled-airspace rule at or above 1,000 ft AGL (CARs 602.115(b)(iii)), the most common mix-up.
- 21,000 ft vertically and 1 mile horizontallyNo VFR rule in the CARs uses 1,000 ft vertically and 1 mile horizontally.
- 4Clear of cloud, in sight of the surfaceClear of cloud is enough only in uncontrolled airspace below 1,000 ft AGL (CARs 602.115(c)).
- Question 2 of 13Air Law — VFR Minima
By day you are flying an aeroplane VFR in uncontrolled airspace at 800 ft AGL. What flight visibility and cloud clearance do you need?
Answer and explanation
Answer
12 miles, clear of cloud
Explanation
Below 1,000 ft AGL in uncontrolled airspace, an aircraft that is not a helicopter needs, "during the day, flight visibility is not less than two miles" (CARs 602.115(c)(i)), and is operated clear of cloud (602.115(c)(iii)).
The other options
- 21 mile, 500 ft vertically and 2,000 ft horizontallyThat is the daytime rule at or above 1,000 ft AGL (CARs 602.115(b)).
- 33 miles, 500 ft vertically and 1 mile horizontallyThat is the controlled-airspace rule (CARs 602.114).
- 43 miles, clear of cloud3 miles applies at night below 1,000 ft AGL (CARs 602.115(c)(ii)). By day it is 2 miles.
- Question 3 of 13Air Law — Special VFR
The weather in a control zone is below VFR, and you are flying an aeroplane. What does special VFR in the zone require?
Answer and explanation
Answer
41 mile, clear of cloud and in sight of the surface, with ATC authorization
Explanation
Special VFR in a control zone needs flight visibility of "one mile, where the aircraft is not a helicopter" (CARs 602.117(1)(b)(i)), the aircraft clear of cloud and with visual reference to the surface at all times, and authorization requested and obtained from the ATC unit (602.117(1)(c) and (d)).
The other options
- 11/2 mile, clear of cloud and in sight of the surface, with ATC authorizationHalf a mile is the helicopter value (CARs 602.117(1)(b)(ii)).
- 23 miles, 500 ft from cloud, with no ATC authorization needed3 miles and 500 ft from cloud are ordinary VFR in controlled airspace, and special VFR always needs authorization.
- 32 miles, clear of cloud, by day only, with no ATC authorizationSpecial VFR is not limited to the day by 602.117(1), and it always needs ATC authorization.
- Question 4 of 13Air Law — Airspace
You plan a VFR flight cruising at 14,500 ft ASL in Class B airspace. What do you need before you enter it?
Answer and explanation
Answer
2An ATC clearance or an authorization from the Minister
Explanation
CARs 601.07(1): "No person shall operate a VFR aircraft in Class B airspace unless the aircraft is operated in accordance with an air traffic control clearance or an authorization issued by the Minister." Class B is the low-level controlled airspace above 12,500 ft ASL, or the MEA if higher, to below 18,000 ft ASL (Designated Airspace Handbook, 29 October 2026), so 14,500 ft is in it. A VFR flight there with a clearance is controlled VFR, CVFR (CARs 101.01).
The other options
- 1Nothing beyond the VFR weather minimaClass B is controlled airspace that a VFR aircraft may enter only with a clearance or the Minister's authorization (CARs 601.07(1)).
- 3An instrument rating and an IFR flight planCVFR is VFR. CARs 601.07 asks for a clearance, not an instrument rating or an IFR flight plan.
- 4An operating transponder, and then no clearance is neededA transponder does not authorize entry. The clearance or authorization does.
Source
CARs 601.07(1); CARs 101.01 ("CVFR or controlled VFR flight"); Designated Airspace Handbook (TP 1820E), effective 29 October 2026, Class B airspace.
Taught in: PPL › Air Law - Question 5 of 13Air Law — Right-of-Way
You and another aeroplane are converging at about the same altitude, with the other aeroplane on your right. A glider is converging from your left. Who gives way?
Answer and explanation
Answer
3You give way to the aeroplane; both of you give way to the glider
Explanation
When converging, "the pilot-in-command of the aircraft that has the other on its right shall give way" (CARs 602.19(2)), so you give way to the aeroplane on your right. The exceptions override that: "a power-driven, heavier-than-air aircraft shall give way to airships, gliders and balloons" (602.19(2)(a)), so both aeroplanes give way to the glider.
The other options
- 1You give way to the aeroplane; the glider gives way to both of youThe glider has priority over power-driven aeroplanes (CARs 602.19(2)(a)).
- 2The aeroplane gives way to you; you give way to the gliderThe aircraft that has the other on its right gives way. That is you, not the other aeroplane.
- 4All three aircraft alter heading to the rightTurning right is the head-on rule (CARs 602.19(5)), not the converging rule.
- Question 6 of 13Air Law — Right-of-Way
Which statement about the right of way is correct?
Answer and explanation
Answer
1Head-on, each pilot turns right; an overtaking aircraft also turns right
Explanation
Head-on with a risk of collision, "the pilot-in-command of each aircraft shall alter its heading to the right" (CARs 602.19(5)). The aircraft being overtaken has the right of way, and the overtaking aircraft gives way "by altering the heading of the overtaking aircraft to the right" (602.19(6)).
The other options
- 2Head-on, the faster one turns right and the slower one holds its headingBoth aircraft turn right in a head-on encounter, whatever their speeds.
- 3Head-on, each pilot turns left; an overtaking aircraft passes leftThe rule is right, not left, for both cases.
- 4The overtaking aircraft has the right of wayThe aircraft being overtaken has the right of way (CARs 602.19(6)).
- Question 7 of 13Air Law — Minimum Altitudes
You are flying an aeroplane over a town. The highest obstacle within 2,000 ft of you is a 250 ft tower. What is the lowest you may fly?
Answer and explanation
Answer
41,000 ft above the tower, and high enough to land safely if needed
Explanation
Over a built-up area you must be high enough to land without creating a hazard on the surface in an emergency, and in any case not lower than, "for aeroplanes, 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle located within a horizontal distance of 2,000 feet from the aeroplane" (CARs 602.14(2)(a)(i)).
The other options
- 1500 ft above the tower, and high enough to land safely if it is needed500 ft is the distance from any person, vessel, vehicle or structure in other circumstances (CARs 602.14(2)(b)), not the built-up-area rule.
- 2250 ft above the tower, if you stay clear of cloudNo rule allows 250 ft over a built-up area.
- 32,000 ft above the tower, as over an aerodrome2,000 ft is the rule over an aerodrome (CARs 602.96(4)), not over a town.
- Question 8 of 13Air Law — Circuit
You are passing over an aerodrome where you will not land. What is the lowest you may overfly it, and which way are circuit turns made?
Answer and explanation
Answer
22,000 ft, and left turns unless the CFS or ATC says otherwise
Explanation
"Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate air traffic control unit, no pilot-in-command shall operate an aircraft at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet over an aerodrome except for the purpose of landing or taking off" (CARs 602.96(4)). In the circuit, make all turns to the left except where right turns are specified in the Canada Flight Supplement or authorized by ATC (602.96(3)(c)).
The other options
- 11,000 ft, and right-hand circuits unless the CFS says otherwiseTurns are left by default (CARs 602.96(3)(c)), and the overflight minimum is 2,000 ft.
- 3500 ft, and turns either way at an uncontrolled aerodromeLeft turns apply at uncontrolled aerodromes too: CARs 602.96 covers both kinds.
- 4No minimum, and the circuit rules apply at controlled aerodromes onlyCARs 602.96(1) applies the section at uncontrolled and controlled aerodromes alike.
- Question 9 of 13Navigation — VFR Cruising Altitudes
In the Southern Domestic Airspace, in VFR level cruise more than 3,000 ft AGL, which tracks is 4,500 ft ASL the right altitude for?
Answer and explanation
Answer
1Magnetic tracks 180° to 359°
Explanation
In the Southern Domestic Airspace the altitude follows "the magnetic track" (CARs 602.34(1)(a)). The table to CARs 602.34 lists 4,500 ft in the VFR column for tracks 180° to 359°: even thousands plus 500 ft westbound, odd thousands plus 500 ft eastbound.
The other options
- 2Magnetic tracks 000° to 179°Eastbound VFR altitudes are odd thousands plus 500 ft: 3,500, 5,500, 7,500.
- 3Any track, below 10,000 ftThe rule applies to any VFR level cruise more than 3,000 ft AGL (CARs 602.34(2)(a)).
- 4True tracks 000° to 179°True track is used in the Northern Domestic Airspace (CARs 602.34(1)(b)), and 4,500 ft is westbound there too.
Source
CARs 602.34(1) and (2) and the table to CARs 602.34; TC AIM (October 1, 2026) RAC 2.3.1.
Taught in: PPL › Navigation - Question 10 of 13Navigation — Altimeter Setting Procedures
You take off in the altimeter setting region and climb into the standard pressure region. When do you set 29.92 in Hg?
Answer and explanation
Answer
3Just after entering the standard pressure region
Explanation
Climbing from one region to the other, set the altimeter "to 29.92 inches of mercury or 1,013.2 millibars immediately after the aircraft’s entry into the standard pressure region" (CARs 602.37(a)). Before take-off you set the aerodrome's altimeter setting, or its elevation (CARs 602.35(a)).
The other options
- 1Before take-off, so the whole climb is on one settingBefore take-off in the altimeter setting region you set the aerodrome's setting (CARs 602.35(a)), never 29.92.
- 2On levelling off at your cruising flight levelBy the cruising level you have been in the standard pressure region for some time. The change is made on entering it.
- 4Only when ATC includes it in the climb clearanceThe pilot makes the change. ATC may authorize otherwise (CARs 602.37), but no clearance is needed to comply.
Source
CARs 602.35(a) and 602.37(a); TC AIM (October 1, 2026) RAC 2.10 and 2.11(d).
Taught in: PPL › Navigation - Question 11 of 13Meteorology — METAR
Sample — invented for practice METAR CYZZ 261700Z 24008KT 6SM -RA SCT015 BKN030 12/09 A2988 RMK SC3NS2
Read the sample METAR. Which layer is the ceiling, and what is the altimeter setting?
Answer and explanation
Answer
2The broken layer at 3,000 ft AGL; 29.88 in Hg
Explanation
TC AIM GEN 5.1 defines the ceiling as, first, "the height above ground or water of the base of the lowest layer of cloud covering more than half the sky". BKN is 5/8 to less than 8/8 of the sky (TC AIM MET 8.2, Table 8.2), so the broken layer, 030, is the ceiling: 3,000 ft above the station. A2988 decodes to 29.88 in Hg: "place a decimal point after the second digit" (MET 8.2). The wind, 240° at 8 kt, is in degrees true.
The other options
- 1The scattered layer at 1,500 ft AGL; 29.88 in HgScattered is 3/8 to 4/8 of the sky, not more than half, so it is never a ceiling.
- 3The broken layer at 3,000 ft ASL; 988 hPaMETAR cloud heights are above the station, not above sea level, and A2988 is inches of mercury.
- 4There is no ceiling; 29.88 in HgA broken layer covers more than half the sky, so it is a ceiling.
Source
TC AIM (October 1, 2026) GEN 5.1 ("ceiling"), MET 8.1 and MET 8.2 (Table 8.2).
Taught in: PPL › Meteorology - Question 12 of 13Navigation — Fuel Planning
You plan a day VFR flight in an aeroplane to a destination 90 minutes away at normal cruising speed. Before the allowances of CARs 602.88(5), how long must your fuel let you fly?
Answer and explanation
Answer
42 hours
Explanation
By day an aircraft other than a helicopter must be able "to fly to the destination aerodrome and then to fly for a period of 30 minutes at normal cruising speed" (CARs 602.88(3)(a)(i)): 90 + 30 = 120 minutes. Taxiing, weather, routings and foreseeable delays come on top (602.88(5)).
The other options
- 11 hour 30 minutesThat is the trip alone, with no reserve.
- 21 hour 50 minutesA 20-minute reserve is the helicopter rule (CARs 602.88(3)(b)).
- 32 hours 15 minutesA 45-minute reserve is the night rule (CARs 602.88(3)(a)(ii)).
- Question 13 of 13Air Law — Airspeed and Icing
Below 10,000 ft ASL, what is your maximum indicated airspeed? And may you take off with frost on the wings that is not caused by cold-soaked fuel?
Answer and explanation
Answer
1250 kt; no take-off
Explanation
No person shall operate an aircraft "at an indicated airspeed of more than 250 knots if the aircraft is below 10,000 feet ASL" (CARs 602.32(1)(a)). And "no person shall conduct or attempt to conduct a take-off in an aircraft that has frost, ice or snow adhering to any of its critical surfaces" (CARs 602.11(2)); the wings are critical surfaces (602.11(1)).
The other options
- 2200 kt; no take-off200 kt applies below 3,000 ft AGL within 10 NM of a controlled aerodrome (CARs 602.32(1)(b)).
- 3250 kt; take off if the frost is thinThin frost is still frost. The only exception is frost from cold-soaked fuel, under the manufacturer's instructions (CARs 602.11(3)).
- 4200 kt; take off if the runway is longRunway length is no exception to CARs 602.11(2), and the general limit below 10,000 ft is 250 kt.
Keep practising
Checked 30 October 2026. CARs 101.01, 601.07, 602.11, 602.14, 602.19, 602.32, 602.34 and its table, 602.35, 602.37, 602.88, 602.96 and 602.114 to 602.117 checked against SOR/96-433 as consolidated to 17 June 2026 (Justice Laws Website, current to 30 September 2026). TC AIM GEN 5.1, MET 8.1 and 8.2 and RAC 2.10, 2.11 and 2.3.1 checked against TC AIM, October 1, 2026. Class B airspace checked against the Designated Airspace Handbook (TP 1820E), effective 29 October 2026. The questions, explanations and exhibits are TC Exam Prep's own. TC Exam Prep is independent and not affiliated with Transport Canada.