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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

FAA Private Pilot Powered Parachute (PPP) knowledge test — powered parachute category, land and sea

The written test for your private powered parachute certificate — ram-air wing aerodynamics, throttle-for-altitude flying, layout and inflation, takeoffs and landings, engine-out glides, weather and airspace.

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Private Pilot — Weight-Shift Control (PWS) knowledge test → · Private Pilot — Airplane (PAR) knowledge test →

QuestionsPPP: 60 multiple-choice questions
Time2 hours 30 minutes — about 2.5 minutes per question
Passing70% (42 of 60) — your score report lists codes for the topics you missed
FormatThree answer choices (A, B, C), one best answer; charts, weather and performance figures from the FAA testing supplement (FAA-CT-8080-2H) and embedded images
WhereOn computer at an FAA-authorized PSI test center — about $175 at PSI (confirm when you book); remote testing isn't offered
EligibilityMinimum age 15 to test (17 for the certificate); FTN from IACRA and photo ID; instructor endorsement or pilot school graduation certificate
Validity24 calendar months — take your powered parachute practical test within that window

About the exam

A private pilot certificate with a powered parachute category rating lets you fly powered parachutes — land or sea — for personal flying, including at night and with a passenger, but not for compensation or hire. The Private Pilot Powered Parachute (PPP) knowledge test is the written test you pass before the private powered parachute checkride. Many powered parachute pilots fly under sport pilot rules instead; QuizMe does not cover the Sport Pilot Powered Parachute (SPP) test, though most of this knowledge carries over. There is no commercial powered parachute certificate.

PPP has 60 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes. Every question has three answer choices, and you need 70% to pass. You test on computer at a PSI test center with a photo ID and an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA; minimum testing age is 15, and the private certificate itself needs age 17. You need an endorsement from an authorized instructor or a pilot school graduation certificate. A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months. If you already hold an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift or airship rating at the private level, adding a powered parachute rating needs no knowledge test (61.63). The 2025 MOSAIC rule rewrote sport pilot and light-sport aircraft rules (effective October 22, 2025 and July 24, 2026) but did not change private or commercial pilot requirements or these knowledge tests; the sport pilot practical test standards were revised in September 2026 and test banks are still catching up, so confirm details with your instructor.

Our practice covers every area with original questions mapped to the Private Pilot Powered Parachute PTS, with step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation — density altitude, takeoff distance, weight and balance, wind triangle, time, distance and fuel. Add flashcards for regulations, powered parachute rules and weather codes, worked case walkthroughs of a wing that won't inflate cleanly, a gusty-day go/no-go and an engine-out landing, illustrated guides to the ram-air wing, steering lines and cart, and timed practice tests at the PPP length — 60 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — with a score.

How we track your progress

Every blueprint domain moves through five levels as you study:

  1. Not startedNo questions answered in this domain yet.
  2. Getting startedFirst questions answered — not enough yet to judge.
  3. DevelopingAt least 5 answered and 50% or better on your recent questions.
  4. ProficientAt least 15 answered and 70% or better on your recent questions.
  5. Exam readyAt least 25 answered, 80% or better recently, and holding up on hard questions.

The exam blueprint

FAA-S-8081-32A, Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Powered Parachute Category and Weight-Shift-Control Aircraft Category (November 2023; effective May 31, 2024) — no powered parachute ACS has been published — Powered parachute regulations, wing aerodynamics, systems, performance and weight & balance, operations, emergencies, weather, navigation and airspace, and human factors. Domain weights are QuizMe estimates — the FAA does not publish them. Tap a domain to see its topics.

1 Regulations and Pilot Qualifications about 13% (est.) of the exam
Powered parachute privileges and experience (61.109(i), 61.113)Land and sea privileges and the powered parachute categoryStudent solo, endorsements, flight review and recent experienceMedical certificates, BasicMed and sport pilot alternativesVFR minimums and the night traffic-pattern relief (91.155(b)(2))Minimum altitudes: powered parachute relief (91.119(d))Airworthiness, special light-sport and experimental certificatesNTSB 830 accident reporting and alcohol/drug rules

28 practice questions in this domain so far

2 Powered Parachute Aerodynamics about 10% (est.) of the exam
Ram-air wing: cells, airfoil and inflationFixed trim airspeed: why throttle controls climb and descentPendulum stability and the cart-wing relationshipSteering lines, turns and the flareTorque, propeller effects and turning tendenciesGround effect, wing loading and weight effects on speedWing collapse, frontal tuck and line tension

21 practice questions in this domain so far

3 Powered Parachute Systems about 12% (est.) of the exam
Wing, suspension lines, risers and attachment pointsCart, seats, steering bars and ground steeringTwo-stroke and four-stroke engines; fuel and oil mixingPropellers, prop cages and gearboxesFuel, electrical and ignition systemsInstruments: tachometer, EGT/CHT, altimeter and GPSBallistic parachute systems and floats for sea operations

24 practice questions in this domain so far

4 Performance, Limitations and Weight & Balance about 8% (est.) of the exam
Density altitude and its effect on takeoff and climbTakeoff and landing distance and obstacle clearanceWeight and balance and the wing's weight rangeWind limits, gusts and crosswind capabilityFuel planning and endurance at low speedOperating limitations and the pilot operating handbook

18 practice questions in this domain so far

5 Powered Parachute Operations about 13% (est.) of the exam
Wing layout, preflight and line inspectionInflation, wing check and the decision to abortNormal, crosswind and short-field takeoffsClimbs, turns and maneuvering at constant airspeedApproaches, flare and normal landingsGround reference maneuvers and traffic patternsNight operations and lightingSea-base operations: water takeoffs and landings

28 practice questions in this domain so far

6 Emergencies and Hazards about 10% (est.) of the exam
Engine failure and power-off landingsLine twists, tangles and steering-line failuresWing collapse and turbulence encountersPower lines, wires and obstaclesPropeller strike and foreign object hazardsFire, fuel leaks and ballistic parachute deployment

21 practice questions in this domain so far

7 Weather Information about 13% (est.) of the exam
METARs, TAFs and PIREPsAIRMETs, SIGMETs and convective SIGMETsWinds and temperatures aloft forecastsSurface analysis, prog charts, GFA and radarAir masses, fronts, stability and lapse rateClouds, fog, thunderstorms and wind shearIcing and frostFlight deck weather displays (FIS-B)

52 practice questions in this domain so far

8 Navigation, Airspace and Flight Planning about 12% (est.) of the exam
Sectional chart reading and route planningVFR cruising altitudes (91.159)Wind triangle: wind correction angle and ground speed (E6B)Time, speed, distance and fuel calculationsTrue, magnetic and compass headings; variation and deviationVOR orientation: OBS, CDI and TO/FROMGPS navigationVFR flight plans: filing, opening and closingDiversion, lost procedures and intercept proceduresAirspace classes A–G: entry and equipment requirementsVFR weather minimums (91.155)Sectional chart airspace symbols and altitudesSpecial use airspace and military training routesTFRs and special flight rules areasSpecial VFRTransponder and ADS-B Out requirements (91.215, 91.225)

62 practice questions in this domain so far

9 Human Factors and Aeronautical Decision-Making about 8% (est.) of the exam
Hypoxia and hyperventilationSpatial disorientation and visual illusionsCarbon monoxide poisoning and motion sicknessAlcohol, drugs and fitness for flightHazardous attitudes and their antidotesAeronautical decision-making and risk management

18 practice questions in this domain so far

What you get when you access this exam

Free with your QuizMe account.

Questions built on the PTS

Every question is original and tagged to a Private Pilot Powered Parachute PTS area of operation — three choices like the real test, with performance and loading tables and sectional excerpts 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 — 60 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, the PPP length — with a pacing indicator, full review and a percent score against the 70% pass mark.

Flashcards, walkthroughs and guides

Flashcards for regulations, powered parachute rules, wing facts 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.

Test at home or at a center

PPP is scheduled and taken through PSI, the FAA's knowledge-testing provider. Get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) in IACRA and your instructor's endorsement, then choose a PSI test center and time. 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-8080-2H testing supplement with the chart, weather and performance figures; some questions show images on screen.
  • 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

  • Pick the right test: PPP for a private powered parachute certificate. If you only want sport pilot privileges, the sport test (SPP) is shorter — talk to your instructor about which fits.
  • The testing matrix accepts an endorsement from an authorized instructor or a graduation certificate from an FAA-certificated pilot school as the authorization for a first attempt.
  • Already a private pilot with an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift or airship rating? Adding a powered parachute rating needs no knowledge test (61.63) — confirm with your instructor.
  • 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 60 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes.

Pacing checkpoints

Our timed test uses the real length and time — 60 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, the PPP length — as one block of single-answer, three-choice questions. Figures that the real test shows from the FAA-CT-8080-2H testing supplement or as embedded images are reproduced as described text, tables or simple diagrams — not the official FAA charts.

12questions0:30
24questions1:00
36questions1:30
48questions2:00
60questions2:30

The week before

  • Take one full-length timed practice test 4–7 days out, then shorter sets and rest.
  • Be able to explain why a powered parachute climbs with power instead of speeding up, and what the steering bars do to the trailing edge.
  • Rehearse the powered parachute exceptions in the rules — night pattern relief in Class G and the 91.119(d) minimum-altitude relief.
  • Confirm your PSI appointment, your endorsement (or graduation certificate), your FTN, your ID and the flight computer and calculator you'll bring.

During the test

  • Pace yourself at about 2.5 minutes a question — chart and navigation problems take longer, recall questions much less.
  • Read for powered-parachute-specific rules — some exceptions apply to powered parachutes and weight-shift but not airplanes, and the reverse.
  • For performance and loading questions, write down the inputs and units before you read the chart.
  • 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.
  • With three choices, ruling out one wrong answer leaves you a coin flip at worst.
  • You need 42 of 60 — a few long chart problems won't sink you.

After you test

  • You get your Airman Knowledge Test Report at the test center; it shows your score and codes for any knowledge areas you missed, and your instructor reviews them with you before the checkride.
  • A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months — complete the powered parachute practical test within that window or retake the knowledge test.
  • Next comes the private powered parachute practical test under FAA-S-8081-32A — an oral on the same knowledge plus a flight test of layout and inflation, takeoffs and landings, ground reference maneuvers, night operations and emergency procedures; the examiner also checks your missed topics.

Official sources and further reading

Ready to start?

272 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.

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QuizMe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA or PSI. All questions are original. Details are summarized from FAA sources (PTS, testing matrix, 14 CFR); rules and policies change — always confirm at faa.gov. Estimated scores are rough guides.