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Read a question.
Explain the decision.
A useful study session goes beyond choosing an answer. Try a real Instrument workbook question, reveal its explanation, and follow the source reference.
01 The question
From the Instrument workbook
VOR #1 reads 271°. VOR #2 reads 268°. Is the difference acceptable?
Exercise 2.6, item 2 · 2026 source edition
Prompt page 46 · answer page 153
Reveal the workbook answer
02 The explanation
Difference is 3°. Maximum 4°.
Yes, acceptable.
The source check assumes two VOR units independent except for the antenna, tuned to the same VOR ground facility. Passing this comparison alone does not establish aircraft airworthiness or authorize a flight. Read the full source check and original disclaimer →
Training and educational use only. Consult current official FAA publications and your instructor. Not FAA endorsed.
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Look inside a real card
A question is the start.
The explanation is the practice.
Free PPL oral cards · Card 01Fuel: a minimum is not a margin.Open the full card
Read the card as text
Study aid only · October 2026
The scenario
You are planning a daytime VFR flight in a piston airplane. After accounting for forecast winds, your calculations show fuel to the first intended landing plus 35 minutes at normal cruising speed. Your passenger wants to leave now. Is meeting the minimum enough to make this a good plan?
Rule
Under 14 CFR 91.151(a), you may not begin a VFR airplane flight unless, considering wind and forecast weather, you have fuel to the first point of intended landing and then at least 30 minutes by day or 45 minutes at night, assuming normal cruising speed. In the stated daytime case, 35 minutes exceeds that particular minimum; it is not a complete go/no-go decision.
Risk
A small planning margin can disappear with stronger headwinds, delays, a diversion, or inaccurate usable-fuel and fuel-burn assumptions. Legal minimums are not recommended targets.
Action
Verify usable fuel and aircraft-specific performance with the applicable POH/AFM, choose a larger personal reserve, and identify an early fuel-stop or diversion trigger. Add fuel or shorten the leg when the margin is inadequate.
Follow-up reps
What changes for a night VFR airplane flight?
The planning reserve becomes at least 45 minutes at normal cruising speed after reaching the first intended landing.
Does a 35-minute daytime reserve guarantee a safe flight?
No. It answers only this fuel-minimum question. Conditions, performance assumptions, diversion options, and personal minimums still matter.
Common trap
Reciting 30/45 without accounting for winds and forecast weather, or treating the reserve as fuel you intend to use.
Source: 14 CFR 91.151(a). Source text checked October 13, 2026. Recheck current rules with your CFI.
Actual card from the October 13, 2026 edition, page 2. The preview retains its sources and study-aid limitations.
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Commercial pilot · Workbook author
Flight credentials
I built these study tools alongside my own private, instrument, commercial and multi-engine training. The focus is understanding an answer well enough to explain it out loud.
Commercial Pilot ASEL/AMEL · Instrument · 393.1 total hours (October 2, 2026 ForeFlight report). About Nick · Dated flight and publishing proof
Full credentials and flight-hour breakdown
Certificates & ratings
- Commercial Pilot — ASEL, AMEL
- Instrument Rating
- Private Pilot — ASEL
- Complex Endorsement
- High-Performance Endorsement
- Washington, D.C. SFRA Training
Medical & documents
- FAA medical privileges current; renewal planned before paid flight duty
- Flight Review — Current
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- Complex & High-Performance Endorsed
- FAA WINGS participation
Aircraft flown — 7 types, 212 flights
- Cessna 172 Skyhawk — 311.7 hrs
- Rockwell Commander 114A — 41.0 hrs
- Piper Seminole (PA-44) — 20.0 hrs
- Piper Seneca (PA-34) — 7.7 hrs
- Piper Cherokee (PA-28) — 7.0 hrs
- Cessna 182 Skylane — 3.3 hrs
- Piper Aztec (PA-27) — 2.4 hrs
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