To obtain a private pilot certificate you need to pass both a practical FAA flight exam and a written test (except that the test is now done on a computer at an approved FAA location). This is similar to what you experience when you obtain a driver's license except you don't parallel park an airplane (because they don't have horns and bumpers).

You must be at least 15 years old to take the knowledge exam and the exam results are good for 24 months. The assumption here is that you'll take the FAA practical flight test (also referred to as the checkride) within 24 months of taking the knowledge exam. If you don't take the practical flight test within 24 months of passing the knowledge exam you'll have to retake the knowledge exam.

The knowledge exam consists of a 60 question, multiple choice exam. You are given 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the test. A score of 70% is considered passing. There are several locations where you can take these exams in your local area. Click here to find out where they are.

Below are several examples of the types of questions you could be asked:

1. [B1/3/2]
The four forces acting on an airplane in flight are
A. lift, weight, thrust, and drag.
B. lift, weight, gravity, and thrust.
C. lift, gravity, power, and friction.

9. [C4/1/2]
One purpose of the dual ignition system on an aircraft engine is to provide for
A. improved engine performance.
B. uniform heat distribution.
C. balanced cylinder head pressure.

7. [E4/1/2]
Which instrument will become inoperative if the pitot tube becomes clogged?
A. Altimeter.
B. Vertical speed indicator.
C. Airspeed indicator.

Is this a tough exam to pass? It won't be for you if you use the Private Pilot Handbook and Workbook I created just for this purpose. Here's why. The questions above were excerpted from my Private Pilot Workbook, which contains over 1,800 questions covering all the topics in the Private Pilot Handbook. Above each question is a three "number-letter" sequence in brackets. This identifies the page, the column and the paragraph where you'll find the answer to that particular question in the Private Pilot Handbook. For instance, in the figure below (an excerpt from the Workbook), the header for question one indicates that the answer can be found in the Handbook on Page B1, third column, second paragraph.

Looking at an excerpt of Page B1 of the Handbook below, the second paragraph of the third column shows the correct answer. And this is how the entire Handbook and Workbook is laid out. They are designed as programmed learning tools to give you the information you need to be a safe pilot as well as the information you need to pass the knowledge exam.

I wrote, designed and published the private pilot book series to be a fun and enjoyable means of learning what you need to know to pass the knowledge exam and to become a safe pilot. It's based on over 35 years of aviation experience teaching others how to fly airplanes safely. Take a look at some of the comments I've received over the years and you'll realize it's a thorough, fun and enjoyable way to learn.

Keep in mind that the Handbook is also an audiobook on 30 professionally recorded CDs. So you can learn while you drive, while using the Handbook and Workbook as references and study tools for use when you're not at the wheel of your automobile.