Most have heard about the changes to the FOI but I just took the FIA today and see that the FAA has messed with that question bank a lot too. I passed with an 84% which I was pretty disappointed with considering how much time I spent studying both the AFH and the PHAK.

Here are some of the more surprising questions that I can remember:

-If a foreign student pilot has soloed and logged flight time in his home country how much if any of that time can be counted towards an FAA pilot license in the US?

-If a pilot has a rotorcraft license only, how much flight time in helicopters, if any can count towards the training requirements for a fixed wing private license?

-What information can be found in AC 61-98A?

-To be eligible for a commercial pilot license, what class medical certificate is needed? ( I said 3rd which was wrong. I know at least a second class is needed to EXERCISE commercial privileges but it didn't ask that, it used the word ELIGIBLE which I interpreted as meaning what class medical is needed to apply for a comm. Poor wording!)

I can't remember any other specific questions right now but I'd say about 30-40% of the questions were not in any of the 2012 ASA or Gleim study guides.

 

Thanks! I am planning on taking the test next week. Better study up!

 

HOLY CRAP...SOME of the questions were not in the study guides.... Jesus H. Christ....lets call our congressman!!

 

That was kind of funny but look, I'm not saying the FAA has done something horrible here, just trying to help people better prepare who will be taking the test. Calm down Herc man.

 

I had a third class when I took my commercial check ride. Only matters when executing commercial privileges except flight instructing and I think a couple others.

 

I was never NOT calm....LOL, actually find it quite amusing. Good luck

 

I took the FIA test this morning and got a 93%. I crammed so hard the last few days and was really stressed out about my 78% on the FOI. Sure glad I aced it. Now I gotta study for that oral and get ready for the checkride. There were a couple of questions I didn't recognize, but overall I think if you studied and know what you are doing you should be fine. Definitely reference a study guide (Gleim, ASA etc.) and read not only the correct answer, but also the incorrect ones and know why they are incorrect. That way when you are in a jam, you could potentially eliminate 2 choices because you know they are wrong. So the other choice must be right...Good luck!

 

I wouldn't have a problem if the FAA decided to change question databases and not release the questions if, and only if, they had someone new write these questions. No more ambiguously worded questions, questions with more than one correct answer, and questions that are flat out incorrect. I suggest that whoever writes these questions at least consults p 5-4 & 5-5 of the FIH lol.

Also, what is up with the faa updating these databases but not getting rid of outdated questions, like the questions about LORAN even though the LORAN system was dismantled ~2+ years ago?

 

The last USCG maintained chain was shutdown in August of 2010. LORAN is still used in Europe, the Middle East, and China.