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FAAadvancedCode: FIA

FAA Certified Flight Instructor (FIA) Exam Prep

The FAA Flight Instructor Airplane knowledge test (FIA) has 100 questions with three answer choices each, 2.5 hours and a 70% passing score; 95.35% of 14,736 attempts passed in 2025. This guide covers what it tests, how to study, a week-by-week plan and 8 FAA sample questions with answers.

Renzo MadueñoRenzo MadueñoFormer Airbus A320 First Officer (Avianca), FAA commercial pilotLast reviewed

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The exam at a glance

FAA Flight Instructor Airplane knowledge test (FIA)
Test codeFIA[1]
Scored questions100[1]
Time allowed2.5 hours (150 minutes)[1]
Passing score70%[1]
Answer choices3 per question (A, B, C)[2]
Test fee$175 plus tax per attempt (PSI voucher price)[3]
Minimum age to test16[1]
To take the testNothing: no instructor endorsement or written authorization is required.[1]
If you failAn instructor endorsement certifying additional training (14 CFR 61.49). No waiting period.[4]
Figures bookletFAA-CT-8080-5H[5]
StandardFAA-S-ACS-25[6]
2025 pass rate95.35% of 14,736 attempts (average score 88.89%)[7]
  1. [1] FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix (revised Sep 25, 2026)
  2. [2] FAA airman knowledge test sample questions (Aug 2021)
  3. [3] PSI: FAA testing programs ($175 per knowledge test voucher)
  4. [4] 14 CFR 61.49: Retesting after failure
  5. [5] FAA airman knowledge testing supplements
  6. [6] FAA Airman Certification Standards
  7. [7] FAA CY2025 Airman Knowledge Test Volume Report

About the FIA exam

The FAA Certified Flight Instructor Knowledge Test covers both fundamentals of instruction and all flight knowledge areas. CFIs are the backbone of aviation training, and this exam ensures instructors understand how to teach effectively and safely.

Before you book: Commercial pilot certificate (or ATP), instrument rating, ground school or preparation course

Topics Covered

1Fundamentals of instruction (FOI)
2Teaching methods and techniques
3Learning theory and student psychology
4Lesson planning and curriculum development
5Flight instructor responsibilities and limitations
6Endorsements and record-keeping
7Risk management in flight training
8Evaluation and testing
9Human factors in instruction
10All private/commercial pilot knowledge areas

8 FAA sample questions with answers

Published by the FAA itself, word for word. Try each one, then open the answer: the explanation and its source are ours.

1

Under what condition, if any, may a pilot allow a person who is obviously under the influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs to be carried aboard an aircraft?

  1. AUnder no condition.
  2. BOnly if a second pilot is aboard.
  3. COnly if the person is a medical patient under proper care or in an emergency.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. Only if the person is a medical patient under proper care or in an emergency.

14 CFR 91.17(b) says that, except in an emergency, no pilot may allow a person who appears to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs to be carried, unless that person is a medical patient under proper care. A second pilot on board does not create an exception.

Source: 14 CFR 91.17(b)

FAA sample question FIA #4 (Aug 2021)Open on its own page
2

A series of continuous red lights in the runway centerline lighting indicates

  1. A1,000 feet of runway remaining.
  2. B3,000 feet of runway remaining
  3. Cthe beginning of the runway overrun area.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. 1,000 feet of runway remaining.

AIM 2-1-5 explains that runway centerline lights are white, then alternate red and white from 3,000 to 1,000 feet remaining, and are all red for the last 1,000 feet of runway. Continuous red lights therefore indicate 1,000 feet remaining, not 3,000 feet or the overrun.

Source: AIM 2-1-5

FAA sample question FIA #29 (Aug 2021)Open on its own page
3

Most midair collision accidents occur during

  1. Ahazy days within the traffic pattern environment.
  2. Bclear days in the vicinity of navigational aids.
  3. Cnight conditions during simulated instrument flight.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. clear days in the vicinity of navigational aids.

FAA collision-avoidance guidance notes that most midair collisions occur in daylight on clear VFR days, where traffic concentrates, such as near airports and around navigational aids where aircraft converge (AIM 4-4-15 calls for sustained vigilance near VORs). Hazy days and night simulated-instrument flights are not where most occur.

Source: AIM 4-4-15

FAA sample question FIA #1 (Aug 2021)Open on its own page
4

What is V2 speed?

  1. ATakeoff decision speed.
  2. BTakeoff safety speed.
  3. CMinimum takeoff speed.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Takeoff safety speed.

14 CFR 1.2 defines V2 as the takeoff safety speed. The takeoff decision speed is V1, and minimum takeoff speed is not what V2 means.

Source: 14 CFR 1.2

FAA sample question FIA #10 (Aug 2021)Open on its own page
5

Which in-flight advisory would contain information on severe icing?

  1. APIREP.
  2. BSIGMET.
  3. CCONVECTIVE SIGMET.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. SIGMET.

AIM 7-1-6 lists severe icing not associated with thunderstorms among the conditions for which a (non-convective) SIGMET is issued. A PIREP is an individual pilot report rather than an in-flight advisory, and a Convective SIGMET covers thunderstorm activity (which implies severe icing but is issued for convection).

Source: AIM 7-1-6

FAA sample question FIA #18 (Aug 2021)Open on its own page
6

A rapid acceleration can create the illusion of being in a

  1. Aleft turn.
  2. Bnoseup attitude.
  3. Cnosedown attitude.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. noseup attitude.

AIM 8-1-5 explains that a rapid acceleration, such as during takeoff, stimulates the otolith organs to create the illusion of being in a nose-up attitude (somatogravic illusion); the disoriented pilot may push the nose down. Rapid deceleration produces the opposite, nose-down, illusion.

Source: AIM 8-1-5

FAA sample question FIA #36 (Aug 2021)Open on its own page
7

In a twin-engine airplane, the single-engine service ceiling is the maximum density altitude at which VYSE will produce

  1. A50 feet per minute rate of climb.
  2. B100 feet per minute rate of climb.
  3. C500 feet per minute rate of climb.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. 50 feet per minute rate of climb.

The Airplane Flying Handbook defines the single-engine service ceiling as the density altitude at which VYSE produces a 50 feet per minute rate of climb with the critical engine inoperative (the single-engine absolute ceiling is where it produces zero). 100 feet per minute is the all-engine service ceiling criterion.

Source: Airplane Flying Handbook

FAA sample question FIA #41 (Aug 2021)Open on its own page
8

Risk management, as part of the aeronautical decision making (ADM) process, relies on which features to reduce the risks associated with each flight?

  1. AApplication of stress management and risk element procedures.
  2. BSituational awareness, problem recognition, and good judgment.
  3. CThe mental process of analyzing all information in a particular situation and making a timely decision on what action to take.
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Situational awareness, problem recognition, and good judgment.

PHAK Chapter 2 describes risk management as the part of ADM that relies on situational awareness, problem recognition and good judgment to reduce the risks of each flight. The third option describes judgment/decision making in general, and stress management is a separate topic.

Source: PHAK Chapter 2

FAA sample question FIA #44 (Aug 2021)Open on its own page
See 60 FAA questions with answers on one page

Expert Study Tips

1

The FOI material makes up a significant portion — study it thoroughly

2

Understand the learning process: motivation, readiness, exercise, effect

3

Know instructor responsibilities and required endorsements by heart

4

Study defense mechanisms: rationalization, projection, denial, etc.

5

Master the concept of scenario-based training (SBT)

6

Review all private and commercial pilot knowledge areas — you must teach them

Suggested Study Timeline

1

Weeks 1-4

Cover all exam topics systematically with detailed notes

2

Weeks 5-8

Deep study of complex subjects, work advanced practice problems

3

Weeks 9-12

Full-length practice exams under timed conditions

4

Weeks 13-15

Focus on weak areas, revisit difficult concepts

5

Week 16

Final comprehensive review and exam scheduling

Recommended Resources

  • FAA Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9A)
  • FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
  • 14 CFR Part 61 (instructor privileges and limitations)
  • FAA Flight Instructor ACS (FAA-S-ACS-8B)

More practice by subject

Human Performance

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Air Law

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Operational Procedures

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FAA Certified Flight Instructor (FIA): FAQ

How many questions are on the FAA Certified Flight Instructor (FIA) exam?

100 questions, 2.5 hours (150 minutes) and 70% to pass, with three answer choices per question (FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix).

What is the FIA pass rate?

95.35% of 14,736 attempts passed in 2025, with an average score of 88.89% (FAA CY2025 Airman Knowledge Test Volume Report).

What do I need to take the FIA test?

Nothing: no instructor endorsement or written authorization is required.

What happens if I fail the FIA test?

An instructor endorsement certifying additional training (14 CFR 61.49). No waiting period.

How much does the FAA Certified Flight Instructor (FIA) exam cost?

PSI sells FAA knowledge test vouchers at $175 plus tax per attempt; the FAA quotes about $175 for the Part 107 test. Study materials and training are extra.

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Renzo Madueño

Written and reviewed by Renzo Madueño

Former Airbus A320 First Officer (Avianca), FAA commercial pilot · Founder, Rotate Pilot

The questions are the FAA's own words. The FAA does not publish an answer key, so each answer here was worked out against the regulations and handbooks in force today, and every explanation names its source so you can check it yourself. Questions whose answer changed with newer rules were left out. Found something wrong? Tell us and we fix it.

Last reviewed . Rotate Pilot is independent and not affiliated with the FAA, PSI or any aviation authority.

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