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FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane Knowledge Test Practice Test

The FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane Knowledge Test (FII) concerns teaching instrument flight in airplanes. Its subject matter includes interpreting flight-instrument indications, tracking VOR courses, understanding instrument-approach procedures, and making sound instructional decisions when indications or clearances require attention.

Exam overview

Exam providerFederal Aviation Administration
Exam codeFII
CategoryAviation

About the FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane Knowledge Test Exam

Instrument instructors must help learners connect aircraft attitude and performance indications rather than rely on a single instrument. They explain how course-deviation indications reveal tracking errors, how flight directors provide command cues, and why standby attitude instruments support continued reference if an electronic display fails. Instruction also involves interpreting IFR clearances and altitude restrictions, understanding radar vectors to final, and identifying the action required at a decision altitude or missed approach point when visual references are unavailable. These tasks call for clear explanations, disciplined instrument cross-checking, and timely decisions that preserve aircraft control while complying with clearance and approach procedures.

Sample Practice Questions

Review a selection from this exam's published US Practice Tests practice bank.

Question 1

In an airplane with an electrically powered attitude display, what is the purpose of an independent standby attitude instrument?

  1. ATo provide attitude information if the primary display or its power source fails
  2. BTo improve the accuracy of the aircraft's magnetic compass
  3. CTo replace the need for an instrument cross-check
  4. DTo provide a second transponder code
Show answerCorrect answer: A

A standby attitude instrument provides an independent source of attitude information, often with separate power or sensing, to support safe control if the primary display becomes unavailable. It does not eliminate the need to cross-check instruments.

Question 2

What is the primary function of a marker beacon receiver when installed and operating during an instrument approach?

  1. AProviding lateral course guidance to the runway
  2. BIdentifying passage over a marker beacon associated with the procedure
  3. CDisplaying the aircraft's groundspeed
  4. DProviding the current altimeter setting
Show answerCorrect answer: B

A marker beacon receiver provides an indication when the aircraft passes over a marker beacon. It does not provide lateral course guidance, groundspeed, or altimeter information.

Question 3

A student is tracking a VOR radial inbound. Which instrument indication provides the most direct evidence that the aircraft is drifting off the selected course?

  1. AThe course deviation indicator moves away from its centered position
  2. BThe heading indicator changes while the course deviation indicator remains centered
  3. CThe TO/FROM indicator changes from TO to FROM
  4. DThe altimeter indicates a change in altitude
Show answerCorrect answer: A

The course deviation indicator shows the aircraft's lateral displacement from the selected VOR course. A heading change alone does not establish whether the aircraft is on course; the CDI must be interpreted along with the selected course and TO/FROM indication.

Question 4

During a climb in a conventional attitude-indicator airplane, the attitude indicator shows a nose-up pitch attitude while the altimeter and vertical speed indicator show no climb. What should the instructor emphasize first?

  1. ACross-check the instruments and determine whether the attitude indication is unreliable before making a large control input
  2. BIncrease pitch immediately until the vertical speed indicator shows a climb
  3. CIgnore the attitude indicator and level the wings using the turn coordinator
  4. DAssume the altimeter is frozen and continue the climb
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Instrument flying depends on cross-checking and recognizing instrument disagreement. A single indication should not prompt an aggressive correction until the pilot identifies which information is unreliable.

Question 5

A pilot is receiving an instrument clearance with an altitude restriction at a named fix. What should the pilot do when approaching that fix?

  1. ACross the fix at the assigned altitude unless ATC amends the clearance or another applicable instruction changes it.
  2. BBegin descending whenever the destination elevation is lower than the current altitude.
  3. CIgnore the restriction if the airplane is established on a GPS course.
  4. DCross at any altitude as long as the fix is identified visually.
Show answerCorrect answer: A

An altitude restriction in an ATC clearance is binding unless amended or superseded by an applicable instruction. Navigation equipment or visual identification does not remove the restriction.

Question 6

During an instrument approach, the aircraft reaches the missed approach point without the required visual references. What should the pilot do?

  1. AExecute the published missed approach procedure, subject to any applicable ATC instructions
  2. BContinue descending until the runway becomes visible
  3. CTurn toward the airport while maintaining the current descent
  4. DLevel at the missed approach point and wait for ATC to decide
Show answerCorrect answer: A

If the required visual references are not available at the applicable point to make the landing decision, the pilot should promptly execute the missed approach rather than continue descending below the procedure's decision point.

Question 7

A pilot receives an amended IFR clearance that cannot be copied while safely managing the aircraft. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. ATell ATC that the clearance cannot be copied at the moment and request it again when able
  2. BRead back a guessed clearance to keep the frequency clear
  3. CChange course immediately based on the parts that were heard
  4. DCancel IFR without informing ATC
Show answerCorrect answer: A

The pilot should maintain aircraft control and communicate workload limitations. Requesting a repeat or delay is safer than guessing or making an unauthorized change.

How to use this practice test

The free FII practice bank contains 50 published questions. Each session presents up to 20 questions selected at random and shows results afterward. Use a session to identify gaps in instrument interpretation, approach-procedure decisions, or explanations of instrument indications; revisit missed concepts before another randomized set.

Preparation tips

  • Compare attitude-indicator pitch with altimeter and vertical-speed trends; explain why an apparent nose-up indication alone does not establish a climb.
  • Practice interpreting VOR course-deviation indications while tracking inbound, including how wind drift appears relative to the selected course.
  • For approach scenarios, distinguish the actions associated with an altitude restriction, decision altitude, and missed approach point when required visual references are absent.
  • Review how to explain standby attitude instruments, marker-beacon indications, and flight-director command cues in terms of their practical use and limitations.
Official sourceOfficial exam page ↗