If you’re preparing for an FAA knowledge test and getting ready to schedule your exam, you may be wondering what items you are allowed to bring with you to your test. This is a common question that our team of instructors is often asked. If you have any of the Gleim Aviation FAA knowledge test preparation materials, this information is already provided to you; however, in case you are uncertain, missed it, or need a refresher, then this article is for you.
What The Testing Center Provides
The testing centers will often provide you with the following materials:
- Appropriate FAA computer knowledge test supplement book
- Blank paper
- Pencil
- Transparent sheet
- Dry erase marker
The FAA supplement book includes all the necessary figures and images referenced on the test. The list of supplement books appropriate to your test can be found online at the FAA Computer Testing Supplements page.
You may use the blank paper provided for your calculations during the test, but you will not be allowed to take any notes home with you after your test. That said, writing down questions that you are unsure of may help you commit them to memory if you would like to look them up after your test.
The transparent sheet and dry erase markers can be used as an overlay when analyzing charts and graphs, as you will not be allowed to mark the supplement booklet.
What Documents You Need To Bring
Depending on your citizenship status, there are different documents you are required to provide when you report for your test.
- U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens: U.S. driver’s license, U.S. government ID, U.S. military ID, passport, or alien residency card.
- Non-U.S. Citizens: Passport and U.S. driver’s license, or ID by any government entity.
- Proper test authorization (endorsements or graduation certificate from an online course). See more information about endorsements later in this article.
What Tools You Are Allowed To Bring
You may bring the following items with you to your test:
- Protractor
- Plotter
- E6B flight computer (manual or electronic)
- Small electronic calculator (that only performs basic arithmetic functions and is not capable of storing data in memory)
You will not be allowed to bring your own scratch paper, notes, or references into the testing room.
Note that when calculating distances on maps, first verify whether the figure provides an on-map scale. If a scale is provided, you should use the scale on the map instead of your plotter to determine the correct distances.
If you bring an electronic flight computer to your test, your proctor will likely check whether any information is stored in the flight computer and require you to delete the memory before you are allowed into the testing room. As such, ensure that your flight computer has this capability prior to the test. An electronic E6B app on your phone is not permitted.
Proctors may provide simple calculators and/or deny use of your personal calculator if you are unable to prove that your calculator has the capability to erase any stored data.
Endorsements
Endorsements vary depending on the certificate or rating you are testing for. You can see sample endorsements from the FAA in the current version of AC 61-65 (revision H was current at the time of publishing this article). The endorsement(s) must come from an authorized instructor, such as a ground or flight instructor. AC 61-65 further clarifies the definition of an authorized instructor.
The following table lists whether an endorsement is required for the most common FAA knowledge tests.
|
Test Code |
Test Name |
Endorsement Required? |
|
SPA |
Sport Pilot Airplane |
Yes |
|
PAR |
Private Pilot Airplane |
Yes |
|
IRA |
Instrument Rating Airplane |
Yes |
|
CAX |
Commercial Pilot Airplane |
Yes |
|
AGI |
Ground Instructor (Advanced) |
No |
|
IGI |
Ground Instructor (Instrument) |
No |
|
FOI |
Fundamentals of Instructing |
No |
|
FIA |
Flight Instructor Airplane |
No |
|
FII |
Flight Instructor Airplane (Instrument) |
No |
|
ATM |
Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine Airplane |
ATP-CTP Graduation Certificate |
Note: Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine Airplane candidates must have a graduation certificate issued by an authorized Part 121, 135, 141, or 142 Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification Training Program (CTP).
If you require information regarding a knowledge test that was not listed in this article, refer to the FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix for the requirements specific to your test. Additionally, the Gleim FAR/AIM includes information about the aeronautical knowledge requirements for your certificate or rating in Part 61. Finally, the Gleim Pilot Logbook includes the required endorsements using the FAA’s recommended text.
We’re here to help! As you prepare for your knowledge test using the Gleim Online Ground School or FAA Knowledge Test Prep Online, use the submit questions and feedback links to send an inquiry to our team of instructors. We respond to thousands of questions every year, and encourage you to use this resource for additional assistance..
Written by: Ryan Jeff (CFI, AGI), Aviation Research Assistant