Aviation and Flying Trivia Quiz

Answer: True

Although others before them had successfully glided, the Wright brothers were the first to achieve flight in the modern sense.

Answer: Merlin V-12 engine

Correct answer is the Merlin V-12. With its huge displacement and outstanding reliability for the era, this engine powered the venerable P-51 during the second world war.

Answer: turbine

Today, jets utilize high-bypass turbine engines. Earlier commercial airliners used turbine engines with smaller intake diameters and smaller inlet fans. In recent years, engineers have realized that, and engines can now have increased efficiency and performance with a much larger fan, allowing for more air to bypass the combustion chamber of the engine.

This configuration also results in less pollution and noise.

Answer: Concorde

Sadly, the last concorde flew in 2003 before being taken out of service due to high operating costs.

Answer: Airbus

Airbus is famous for its side-stick style flight yoke. Instead of the traditional yoke in between the pilot's legs, Airbus was the first to use fly-by-wire controls in the cockpit of a commercial airliner. Although the newest technological advances are usually preferred by pilots, some still swear by the old style flight yoke, common in most general aviation aircraft.

Answer: B747

Since the late 60s, the 747 has been the high-water mark for long-range travel. The others listed are used for short to medium-range hauls.

Answer: Skyhawk

The 172 Skyhawk is a great four-seat training aircraft.

Answer: Yes

The answer is yes. ILS stands for Instrument Landing System. Given that the aircraft has the proper equipment, pilots use an ILS to guide the plane down to the runway. When visibility is low, an ILS tell a pilot whether he or she is above or below, and to the left or right, of course.

Answer: class B

The largest airports in the U.S. lie in class B airspace. Class B airspace covers the largest area and handles the most traffic as well. Imagine an upside-down wedding cake with multiple layers, that is what class B airspace looks like. No pilot may go into this type of airspace without proper communication and navigation equipment.

Answer: 1981

Air traffic controllers were not allowed to go on strike because they were government employees.

Answer: True

The 777 was designed from the ground up completely with computers. From the earliest stages of design, engineers at Boeing could put data directly into a computer and use it to decide wether or not it would fly properly without having to make a large scale model and spend hours in a wind tunnel.

Answer: Antonov 225

Only one AN 225 remains in existence today. It was scrapped after the fall of the Soviet Union, but was later privately restored to haul cargo around the world.

Answer: A380

The Airbus A380 holds up to 800 passengers in an all-coach configuration. It first entered service with Singapore Airlines.

Answer: instrument

In the USA, you must be instrument rated to fly above 18,000 feet. Anything above FL180 is also considered to be class A airspace.

Answer: True

For some un-scheduled commercial flights, such as one conducted under part 135 using a small turboprop or piston twin, the captain is only required to hold a class 2 medical (see FAR 135.243).

There are three types of medical qualifications for flying: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class. A 3rd class is required for private pilots and have the least strenuous medical standards, while an airline pilot requires a 1st class with the highest medical standards.