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PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep

Lift, drag, stalls and stability: the physics paper.

Written against the published specification.

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Pass mark 9/12 45 minutes UK CAA How many can I get wrong?
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by UK CAA. Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
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Try 3 real PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 231 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. According to Bernoulli's theorem, as the speed of airflow over a surface increases, what happens to the static pressure in that flow?
  • A.  It decreases
  • B.  It increases
  • C.  It remains constant
  • D.  It fluctuates randomly
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: A. It decreases
Bernoulli's theorem states that for an incompressible, non-viscous flow, the sum of static and dynamic pressure remains constant along a streamline. As velocity (and therefore dynamic pressure) increases, static pressure must decrease to keep total energy constant. This is the basic principle used to explain the pressure difference generated over a cambered aerofoil.
Q2. At which flight condition is total drag at its minimum for a given aircraft configuration?
  • A.  At the stalling speed
  • B.  At the maximum speed in level flight
  • C.  At the speed for best lift/drag ratio
  • D.  At the speed for minimum power required
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. At the speed for best lift/drag ratio
Total drag is lowest at the speed corresponding to the best lift/drag ratio, where induced and parasite drag curves cross. This is not the same speed as minimum power required, which occurs at a slightly lower airspeed.
Q3. In a level, coordinated 60-degree banked turn, the load factor is approximately 2, so the stalling speed relative to the 1g stall speed increases by a factor of approximately:
  • A.  1.1
  • B.  1.2
  • C.  1.4
  • D.  1.7
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. 1.4
Stalling speed varies with the square root of the load factor. At 60 degrees of bank the load factor is 2, and the square root of 2 is approximately 1.4, so the stall speed increases by roughly 40% compared with the 1g stall speed.
Exam mode
Full mock exam
12 random questions, real timing, marked against the official pass mark. Different every time.
The first 6 of 12 questions are free, with your score on them. Finishing the paper, your result against the pass mark and every answer explained come with the paid version.
Practice material only. This is revision practice, not official training, assessment or certification, and not a substitute for the required course or supervised experience. Always confirm the current requirements with the official awarding body or test provider before relying on it.
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Topic drills
Ten quick questions on one topic, marked instantly with explanations.
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Lift, aerofoils & the boundary layer · 43
Drag & lift/drag ratio · 36
Stalling & spinning · 37
Stability & control · 39
Flaps, slats & devices · 40
Load factor, manoeuvres & limitations · 36

Who has to sit the PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep

Who needs a PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep?

All individuals pursuing a UK Private Pilot Licence (PPL) for aeroplanes.

The real PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep: format

How many questions are in the PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep?

The real PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep has 12 questions and lasts 35 minutes. Our mock uses 12 questions in 45 minutes.

What is the PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep pass mark?

Real exam pass mark: 75%. Our mock marks you at 9 out of 12, the threshold we mark against.

What it costs, and what a resit costs

How much does the PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep cost?

Real exam fee: £30-£65 per exam. Resit fee: £30-£65 per exam. Rebooking after a fail: 3-month cooling off period after 4 failures.

How hard is it

How hard is the PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep?

Difficulty: Considered one of the more demanding PPL subjects, requiring active problem-solving beyond memorization.

Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
PPL Principles of Flight Exam Prep: common questions
Frequently asked
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 45 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with UK CAA.