UUS Practice Tests⌕ Search
Aviation · FNX

FAA Flight Navigator Knowledge Test Practice Test

Flight navigation combines position finding, route measurement, and correction of headings for wind and magnetic effects. Practice topics include VOR radial interpretation, dead-reckoning inputs, variation and deviation, groundspeed calculations, chart projections, great-circle routes, and the timing of celestial observations. Instrument questions also connect pitot-static pressure sensing with airspeed indication.

Exam overview

Exam providerFederal Aviation Administration
Exam codeFNX
CategoryAviation

About the FAA Flight Navigator Knowledge Test Exam

Navigation problems require distinguishing true, magnetic, and compass directions and applying the appropriate correction in sequence. VOR questions test whether a radial is interpreted as a direction from the station, while dead reckoning links a known position to course, speed, time, and wind information to estimate a later position. Distance-time calculations support progress checks, and chart questions involve measuring courses on a projection suited to a region. Celestial navigation depends on precise observation time because time contributes to determining position. Understanding pitot-static indications helps relate instrument readings to flight information used during navigation. These skills support route plotting, position estimation, and checking whether observed or calculated information is consistent.

Sample Practice Questions

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

Question 1

A VOR receiver indicates that an aircraft is on the 090 radial. In what general direction is the aircraft from the station?

  1. AEast
  2. BWest
  3. CNorth
  4. DSouth
Show answerCorrect answer: A

VOR radials are magnetic bearings extending outward from the station. The 090 radial extends generally eastward, so an aircraft on it is east of the station.

Question 2

In dead reckoning, which set of information is most directly needed to estimate a new position from a known starting position?

  1. AElapsed time, groundspeed, and ground track
  2. BOutside air temperature, pressure altitude, and fuel grade
  3. CMagnetic compass deviation, runway length, and cloud base
  4. DAircraft weight, engine RPM, and cabin pressure
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Dead reckoning estimates position by advancing from a known position using direction of travel, speed over the ground, and elapsed time. These determine the distance and direction traveled.

Question 3

What does the term “variation” refer to in navigation?

  1. AThe angular difference between true north and magnetic north
  2. BThe angular difference between compass north and magnetic north caused by the aircraft
  3. CThe annual change in an aircraft's magnetic compass error
  4. DThe difference between a planned course and the aircraft's ground track
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Magnetic variation is the angle between the directions of true north and magnetic north at a location. It is a geographic property, unlike compass deviation, which is associated with magnetic influences in the aircraft.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of an aircraft's pitot-static system in relation to airspeed indication?

  1. AIt compares pitot pressure with static pressure.
  2. BIt compares engine manifold pressure with fuel pressure.
  3. CIt measures magnetic field strength and converts it to speed.
  4. DIt compares cabin pressure with outside temperature.
Show answerCorrect answer: A

The airspeed indicator uses the difference between pitot (total) pressure and static pressure as dynamic pressure, which it displays as indicated airspeed.

Question 5

At a constant groundspeed of 150 knots, how far does an aircraft travel in 24 minutes?

  1. A45 nautical miles
  2. B60 nautical miles
  3. C75 nautical miles
  4. D90 nautical miles
Show answerCorrect answer: B

Twenty-four minutes is 0.4 hour. Distance equals speed multiplied by time: 150 knots × 0.4 hour = 60 nautical miles.

Question 6

A flight plan gives a true course of 270°. The local magnetic variation is 12° west. Ignoring compass deviation, what is the magnetic course?

  1. A258°
  2. B270°
  3. C282°
  4. D102°
Show answerCorrect answer: C

To convert true course to magnetic course, apply variation: west variation is added when converting true to magnetic. Thus 270° + 12° = 282° magnetic.

Question 7

For a celestial observation, what is the main purpose of recording the exact time of the observation?

  1. ATo determine the aircraft's magnetic deviation
  2. BTo relate the observed celestial body's position to its predicted position
  3. CTo correct the sextant's index error automatically
  4. DTo determine the local terrain elevation
Show answerCorrect answer: B

Celestial bodies appear to move across the sky as Earth rotates. Accurate time lets the navigator compare an observation with the body's computed position for that instant.

How to use this practice test

The free practice set draws up to 20 random questions from the published bank of 50 and displays results after the session. Use each item to identify which navigation relationship it tests, such as radial direction, course correction, distance over time, or observation timing. Rework missed calculations and explain the correction or reasoning in your own words.

Preparation tips

  • Sketch a VOR station and radial before answering direction questions; remember that a radial is referenced outward from the station.
  • Work course conversions with a consistent sign convention for east and west variation, then distinguish magnetic variation from compass deviation.
  • Practice dead-reckoning estimates by tracking how course, groundspeed, elapsed time, and wind affect the estimated position.
  • Convert minutes to hours before calculating distance from groundspeed, and check that the resulting units are nautical miles.
  • Review why accurate observation time matters in celestial navigation and how chart projection affects course measurement.
Official sourceOfficial exam page ↗