AFOQT Aviation Information: Complete Reference Guide for Non-Pilots

The AFOQT Aviation Information subtest gives you 20 questions in 8 minutes. It covers aircraft structure, flight controls, engine types, meteorology, airspace, airport markings, and navigation systems. If you have a flight background, much of this will be review. If you have never been in a cockpit, this guide will bring you up to speed on every topic the test covers.

Aviation Information contributes directly to the Pilot and Navigator composite scores. If you are pursuing either of those career paths, this subtest deserves focused preparation time.

Aircraft Structure: Parts and Functions

Fuselage

The fuselage is the main body of the aircraft. It houses the cockpit, passenger/cargo compartment, and connects all other major components. Structural integrity of the fuselage is critical for load-bearing during flight maneuvers and landing stress.

Wings

Wings generate lift through the Bernoulli effect and angle of attack. The wing is divided into the leading edge (front), trailing edge (rear), root (where it meets the fuselage), and tip (outboard end). Lift increases with angle of attack up to the critical angle of attack, beyond which the wing stalls.

Empennage

The empennage is the tail assembly of the aircraft. It consists of the horizontal stabilizer (with elevators) and the vertical stabilizer (with rudder). The empennage provides longitudinal and directional stability.

Landing Gear

Conventional landing gear (taildragger): two main wheels forward, one tail wheel aft. Tricycle landing gear: two main wheels aft, one nose wheel forward. Tricycle configuration is the modern standard and provides better ground handling. Retractable gear reduces drag in flight; fixed gear is simpler and lighter.

Flight Controls: Primary and Secondary

Control Surface	Location	Controls	Movement
Ailerons	Outer trailing edge of each wing	Roll (bank)	Opposite deflection: left up, right down = left bank
Elevators	Trailing edge of horizontal stabilizer	Pitch	Up = nose up; Down = nose down
Rudder	Trailing edge of vertical stabilizer	Yaw (heading)	Left pedal = nose left; Right pedal = nose right
Flaps	Inboard trailing edge of wings	Lift & drag (secondary)	Extend for low-speed flight, landing; retract for cruise
Spoilers	Upper wing surface	Lift reduction, speed brakes	Deployed upward to disrupt airflow over wing
Trim tabs	Trailing edge of primary surfaces	Reduce control pressure	Pilot sets to maintain desired attitude hands-free

Engine Types

Engine Type	How It Works	Used On
Reciprocating (Piston)	Internal combustion; pistons drive a crankshaft connected to a propeller	Small GA aircraft, trainers (T-34C)
Turboprop	Gas turbine drives a propeller through a gearbox; more efficient than pure jet at low speeds	C-130, T-6A Texan II, King Air
Turbojet	All thrust from hot exhaust gases; fuel-efficient at high altitude and speed; loud	Early jet fighters, some missiles
Turbofan	Turbojet core plus a large bypass fan; bypass air produces thrust more efficiently; quieter	Most modern commercial and military jets (F-15, C-17, B-52H engines)
Turboshaft	Turbine output drives a shaft rather than a propeller; power delivered to transmission	Helicopters (HH-60, UH-1Y)

The bypass ratio of a turbofan engine is the ratio of air that bypasses the core to air that goes through the core. High bypass ratio (commercial airliners) = more fuel efficient, quieter. Low bypass ratio (military fighters) = less efficient, but better performance at high speed and altitude.

Weather and Meteorology Basics

Clouds and Their Meaning

Cloud Type	Altitude	Significance
Cirrus	High (above 20,000 ft)	Ice crystals; fair weather but can indicate approaching fronts
Cumulus	Low to mid	Vertical development; associated with convective activity
Cumulonimbus	Low to high (vertical)	Thunderstorms; severe turbulence; icing; avoid
Stratus	Low	Layered; associated with IFR conditions, drizzle
Nimbostratus	Low to mid	Rain-producing stratus; sustained precipitation

Weather Hazards

• Wind shear: Rapid change in wind speed or direction over a short distance. Dangerous during approach and takeoff.
• Microburst: A localized, intense downdraft from a convective storm. Can cause rapid loss of airspeed and altitude.
• Icing: Structural ice buildup on wings reduces lift and increases weight. Carburetor ice in piston engines reduces engine power.
• Turbulence: Clear air turbulence (CAT) occurs at high altitude without visible clouds, often near jet streams.

Airspace Classes

Class	Description	Clearance Required?
Class A	18,000 ft MSL to FL600; all IFR; US airspace	Yes; IFR clearance required
Class B	Around major airports; complex, layered	Yes; ATC clearance required
Class C	Around airports with radar approach control	Yes; two-way radio contact required
Class D	Around airports with control towers	Yes; two-way radio contact required
Class E	Controlled airspace not A/B/C/D; most en-route IFR	No for VFR; IFR requires clearance
Class G	Uncontrolled airspace below Class E	No; pilot responsible for separation

Navigation Systems

• VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range): Ground-based radio beacon that transmits in all 360 directions (radials). Aircraft receivers display the aircraft's bearing from the VOR. Pilot flies to/from the station along a selected radial.
• GPS (Global Positioning System): Satellite-based navigation. Provides precise position, altitude, and track. Primary navigation system in modern aircraft. Does not require ground stations.
• ILS (Instrument Landing System): Ground-based precision approach system. Provides lateral guidance (localizer) and vertical guidance (glide slope) for instrument approaches. Used when visibility is below VFR minimums.
• DME (Distance Measuring Equipment): Radar transponder system that provides slant-range distance to a ground station in nautical miles.

IFR vs. VFR

VFR (Visual Flight Rules): Flying by visual reference to the ground and other aircraft. Requires minimum visibility (typically 3 statute miles) and cloud clearances. Pilot is responsible for separation from terrain and other aircraft.

IFR (Instrument Flight Rules): Flying by reference to instruments only. Requires an instrument-rated pilot and ATC clearance. ATC provides separation services. Used in clouds, low visibility, or at night in some circumstances.

Common Trick Questions on Aviation Information

• "Which control surface controls yaw?" The answer is the rudder, not the ailerons. Ailerons control roll. Students confuse these constantly.
• "What causes a wing to stall?" Exceeding the critical angle of attack — not low airspeed. Low airspeed often accompanies a stall but the aerodynamic cause is angle of attack.
• "Which engine type drives a propeller through a gearbox?" Turboprop, not turboshaft. A turboshaft drives a rotor shaft (helicopters). Both use a gearbox, but the output differs.
• "Class ___ airspace requires an ATC clearance?" Classes A, B, C, and D all require some form of ATC communication or clearance. Class G requires neither.
• "What is bypass ratio?" The ratio of bypass air to core air in a turbofan. High bypass = more efficient, quieter. Low bypass = better high-speed performance.

Practice with the adaptive app at dr-p-afoqt-app.hf.space for Aviation Information drills, and bring your questions to the study community at discord.gg/e9bXRtjW.