FAA Airline Transport Pilot Single-Engine Airplane (ATS) knowledge test
The ATP knowledge test for single-engine airplanes — 90 questions focused on Part 135 operations, turboprop performance, IFR procedures and weather.
About the exam
The Airline Transport Pilot Single-Engine Airplane (ATS) test is the knowledge test for an ATP certificate with an airplane single-engine class rating. The FAA's testing matrix labels it a Part 135 test, and it's taken mostly by pilots flying single-engine airplanes — often turboprops — in Part 135 on-demand and commuter operations. Unlike the multiengine ATM test, ATS does not require an ATP Certification Training Program (CTP) graduation certificate: 61.35(a)(2) requires the CTP only for the multiengine class rating.
The test has 90 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — the time the FAA confirmed in its ACS knowledge-test table correction effective July 31, 2023 — each with three answer choices, and you need 70% to pass. It's taken on computer at a PSI test center with a photo ID and an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA; the testing matrix lists no instructor endorsement for a first attempt and a minimum testing age of 21 (the ATP certificate itself requires age 23 and the experience in 61.159). Performance tables, charts and weather come from the FAA ATP and dispatcher testing supplement (FAA-CT-8080-7D), and the FAA notes that ATS, ATM and the dispatcher test share many questions. A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months — the 60-month window applies only to multiengine applicants who completed the CTP.
Our practice covers every area with original questions mapped to the ACS, with step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation — Part 135 fuel and alternate requirements, weight and balance and weight shift, takeoff and landing distances, climb gradients, descent planning, glide and forced-landing planning, and flight-time and rest arithmetic. Add flashcards for Part 135 rules, limits and weather codes, worked case walkthroughs of Part 135 trips from release to landing, illustrated guides to turboprop systems and high-altitude aerodynamics, and timed practice tests at the real length — 90 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — with a score.
How we track your progress
Every blueprint domain moves through five levels as you study:
- Not startedNo questions answered in this domain yet.
- Getting startedFirst questions answered — not enough yet to judge.
- DevelopingAt least 5 answered and 50% or better on your recent questions.
- ProficientAt least 15 answered and 70% or better on your recent questions.
- Exam readyAt least 25 answered, 80% or better recently, and holding up on hard questions.
The exam blueprint
FAA-S-ACS-11A, Airline Transport Pilot and Type Rating for Airplane Category ACS (effective May 31, 2024) — Part 119 and 135 operations, single-engine turbine performance and loading, regulations and instrument procedures, weather, high-altitude aerodynamics, systems, human factors and operations. Domain weights are QuizMe estimates — the FAA does not publish them. Tap a domain to see its topics.
1 Part 119 and Part 135 Operations about 24% (est.) of the exam
55 practice questions in this domain so far
2 Single-Engine Turbine Performance and Loading about 18% (est.) of the exam
45 practice questions in this domain so far
3 Regulations and Instrument Procedures about 13% (est.) of the exam
34 practice questions in this domain so far
4 Weather Information about 16% (est.) of the exam
43 practice questions in this domain so far
5 High-Altitude Aerodynamics about 9% (est.) of the exam
35 practice questions in this domain so far
6 Operation of Systems about 9% (est.) of the exam
32 practice questions in this domain so far
7 Human Factors about 6% (est.) of the exam
18 practice questions in this domain so far
8 Operations, Automation and Safety about 6% (est.) of the exam
41 practice questions in this domain so far
What you get when you access this exam
Free with your QuizMe account.
Questions built on the ACS
Every question is original and tagged to an ATP ACS area with a Part 135 focus — three choices like the real test, with performance and loading tables, approach and en route charts described in text, and weather reports.
Hints and worked solutions
Reveal the rule, reference or formula behind the question when you're stuck. Every answer has the full rationale, and every calculation is solved step by step.
Adaptive practice
Questions steer toward your weakest areas, weighted like the real test, and get harder as you get stronger.
Timed practice tests
Full-length tests at the real pace — 90 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — with a pacing indicator, full review and a percent score against the 70% pass mark.
Flashcards, walkthroughs and guides
Flashcards for Part 135 rules, duty limits, minimums and weather codes, worked case walkthroughs that reason through harder questions step by step, and interactive illustrated guides you explore hotspot by hotspot.
Progress in every area
Each area moves from Not started to Exam ready, so you know exactly what to study next.
Radio & callouts drill
IFR clearances, approach and missed-approach calls, TAWS and TCAS alerts and emergencies — spoken scenarios where you pick the right call or action and hear the correct transmission.
Test at home or at a center
The ATS test is scheduled and taken through PSI, the FAA's knowledge-testing provider. Get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) in IACRA, then choose a PSI test center and time — no CTP certificate is needed. Remote testing is not offered for FAA airman knowledge tests.
At a PSI test center
- Book through PSI's FAA scheduling site; the fee is paid to PSI, not the FAA — about $175 at PSI (confirm when you book).
- Bring a current government-issued photo ID that meets FAA identification rules, and your FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
- The center gives you the FAA-CT-8080-7D testing supplement with the performance tables, charts and figures.
- You may use an FAA-approved flight computer (E6B) and calculator under the test center's rules; PSI's testing system also includes an on-screen E6B.
Before you book
- No ATP CTP graduation certificate is needed for ATS — 61.35(a)(2) requires it only for the multiengine ATP (ATM). Check the current matrix before you book.
- You must be at least 21 to take the test; the ATP certificate requires age 23 and the aeronautical experience of 61.159.
- If you plan to add a multiengine class rating to your ATP later, ask an examiner or training provider what that requires — the CTP and the ATM test apply to the multiengine rating.
- If you retake after a failure, bring the failed test report and an endorsement from an authorized instructor who gave you the additional training.
Exam-day game plan
How to walk in ready — and how to pace 90 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes.
Pacing checkpoints
Our timed test uses the real length and time — 90 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — as one block of single-answer, three-choice questions. Figures that the real test shows from the FAA-CT-8080-7D testing supplement or as embedded images are reproduced as described text, tables or simple diagrams — not the official FAA charts.
The week before
- Take one full-length timed practice test 4–7 days out, then shorter sets and rest.
- Drill Part 135: PIC and SIC qualifications, flight time and rest limits, IFR takeoff, approach and alternate rules, and fuel requirements.
- Rehearse supplement-style tables: interpolate takeoff, climb and cruise numbers and compute CG after a weight shift.
- Confirm your PSI appointment, your FTN, your ID and the flight computer and calculator you'll bring.
During the test
- Pace yourself at about 1 minute 40 seconds a question — performance-table questions take longer, recall questions much less.
- Read which operating rules the question uses — Part 91, 121 and 135 differ on fuel, alternates and duty limits.
- For table questions, write down the inputs and units before you interpolate.
- Watch for EXCEPT and NOT — they flip what you're looking for.
- Mark hard questions, answer every one and come back if time allows — there's no penalty for guessing.
Keep your head
- A few nerves sharpen focus. If you freeze, take three slow breaths and reread the question.
- You need 63 of 90 — a few long performance problems won't sink you.
- Missed topics show up as ACS codes on your report, and your examiner will review them — it's a study list, not a black mark.
After you test
- You get your Airman Knowledge Test Report at the test center; it shows your score and the ACS codes of any knowledge areas you missed, and you'll show it to your examiner.
- A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months — complete the ATP practical test for the single-engine class rating within that window.
- Next comes the ATP single-engine practical test with an examiner, often as part of a Part 135 operator's or training provider's program; the examiner also reviews your missed ACS codes.
Official sources and further reading
- ATP and Type Rating — Airplane ACS (FAA-S-ACS-11A) ↗The official areas of operation, tasks and knowledge elements the test is built on.
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix ↗Official question count, time, minimum age and the authorization each test requires.
- FAA ATS sample questions (PDF) ↗Official single-engine ATP sample questions, with the supplement figures they use.
Ready to start?
303 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.
QuizMe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA or PSI. All questions are original. Details are summarized from FAA sources (ACS, testing matrix, 14 CFR); rules and policies change — always confirm at faa.gov. Estimated scores are rough guides.