FAA Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) Exam Prep

Correct answer: C. cannot be shut down by turning the switch to the OFF position.

The ignition switch turns a magneto off by grounding it through the P-lead. If that ground wire is disconnected, the magneto stays 'hot' and PHAK notes the engine cannot be shut down with the switch, a hazard when anyone moves the propeller. The engine still starts and runs normally.

Source: PHAK (FAA-H-8083-25)

Correct answer: B. VNE decreases as temperature and weight increase.

Helicopter VNE is limited mainly by retreating blade stall, which occurs sooner at higher density altitude and higher weight (more blade angle of attack needed). The Helicopter Flying Handbook therefore notes that VNE decreases as temperature (density altitude) and weight increase.

Source: Helicopter Flying Handbook

Correct answer: C. The asymmetric propeller thrust or P-factor results in the center of thrust from one engine being farther from the airplane centerline than the center of thrust from the other engine.

With both propellers turning clockwise (seen from behind), P-factor moves each engine's center of thrust to the right, so the right engine's thrust line is farther from the centerline. Losing the left engine leaves that longer-armed right thrust, creating more yaw, so the left engine is critical (Airplane Flying Handbook Chapter 12).

Source: Airplane Flying Handbook

Correct answer: C. 4,000 feet above airport.

AIM 3-2-4 describes Class C airspace as normally extending from the surface to 4,000 feet above the primary airport elevation, with the outer shelf from 1,200 feet AGL. The altitudes are charted in MSL, but the design height is 4,000 feet above the airport, not 3,000.

Source: AIM 3-2-4

Correct answer: C. Systematically focus on different segments of the sky for short intervals.

AIM 8-1-6 recommends a series of short, regularly spaced eye movements that bring successive areas of the sky into central vision, each viewed for at least a second. A continuous sweep does not let the eyes focus, and daytime detection depends on central, not peripheral, vision.

Source: AIM 8-1-6

Correct answer: B. The compass will indicate a turn to the right, but at a faster rate than is actually occurring.

In the Northern Hemisphere, when turning from a south heading the compass leads: it shows a turn in the correct direction but faster than the airplane is actually turning (PHAK Chapter 8). Lagging or an initial opposite indication is the behavior when turning from north.

Source: PHAK Chapter 8

Correct answer: B. Direction to takeoff runways.

AIM 2-3-11 explains that destination signs have arrows showing the direction of the taxiing route to a destination, such as outbound signs pointing to takeoff runways. Runway entrances are marked by runway holding position signs and the runway you are on by runway location signs.

Source: AIM 2-3-11

Correct answer: B. Crosswind component is within safe limits.

Runway 12 is 120 degrees and the wind is from 150, a 30-degree angle, so the crosswind component is 20 x sin 30 = 10 knots (the chart gives the same). The maximum demonstrated crosswind is 0.2 x 60 = 12 knots, so the crosswind is within limits; the headwind component (about 17 knots) is not a limit.