250+ TOP MCQs on Instrument Shop – Primary Flight Display and Answers

Aircraft Maintenance Multiple Choice Questions on “Instrument Shop – Primary Flight Display”.

1. Mechanical gauges have been retained for backup purposes in the event of total __________
a) Electrical Failure
b) Mechanical Failure
c) Thermal Failure
d) Hydraulic Failure
Answer: a
Clarification: Mechanical gauges have been retained for backup purposes in the event of total electrical failure. They have not been completely eliminated from the cockpit, despite the onset of the PFD.

2. Which was the first general aviation manufacturer to add a PFD to the already existing MFD?
a) Boeing
b) Cirrus Aircraft
c) Airbus
d) Lockheed Martin
Answer: a
Clarification: Cirrus Aircraft was the first general aviation manufacturer to add a PFD to the already existing MFD. Further, in 2003 the manufacturer made such displays standard equipment on their SR-series aircraft.

3. Which of the following is not a necessary component of the PFD?
a) Altimeter
b) Turn coordinator
c) Airspeed indicator
d) Flaps
Answer: d
Clarification: Flaps is not a necessary component of the PFD. However, altimeter, airspeed indicator and turn coordinator are all necessary components of the PFD., as described by the FAA.

4. What is the full form of AMSL?
a) Altitude above mean sea level
b) Altitude above mean sea level
c) AOA above mean sea level
d) Airspeed above mean sea level
Answer: b
Clarification: AMSL refers to the altitude above mean sea level. The pitot system in aircraft is used to measure the AMSL. This is because the pitot system is useful in tracking air pressure measurements, which are necessary to find AMSL.

5. What does the vertical speed indicator, indicate?
a) Rate at which the pressure changes
b) Rate at which the altitude changes
c) Rate at which the temperature changes
d) Rate at which the airspeed changes
Answer: c
Clarification: The vertical speed indicator indicates the rate at which the altitude changes. It is usually represented with numbers in thousands of feet per minute.

6. The PFD does not contain any mechanical parts.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: True, the PFD does not contain any mechanical parts. The primary flight display is responsible for merely displaying data from the underlying mechanical systems.

7. Which of the following is shown at the bottom of the PFD?
a) Airspeed Indicator
b) Heading display
c) Vertical Speed Indicator
d) Altitude Indicator
Answer: b
Clarification: The heading display is shown at the bottom of the PFD. Airspeed indicator, vertical speed indicator and altitude indicator are displayed at different positions on the PFD.

8. Which of the following is not shown on the heading display?
a) Current heading
b) Airspeed
c) Thrust
d) Rate of turn
Answer: b
Clarification: Thrust is not shown on the heading display. However, the heading display shows not only the current heading, but also the current rate of turn, current heading setting on the autopilot, and other indicators.

9. A measurement of “+4” on the vertical speed indicator indicates an ascent of __________
a) 200 feet per minute
b) 2000 feet per minute
c) 400 feet per minute
d) 4000 feet per minute
Answer: d
Clarification: A measurement of “+4” on the vertical speed indicator indicates an ascent of 4000 feet per minute. Similarly, a measurement of “-1.5” indicates a descent of 1500 feet per minute.

10. PFD does not use the pitot-static system.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: The PFD does not directly use the pitot-static system; however it still uses the system to make altitude, airspeed and other measurements precisely using other readings.

11. Airbus proposed a common symbol system on the PFD and HUD with the __________
a) A380-800
b) A350-800
c) A350-1000
d) A330neo
Answer: c
Clarification: Airbus proposed a common symbol system on the PFD and HUD with the A350-1000 aircraft. The A350-1000 when introduced was an engineering marvel, featuring improved aerodynamics and performance capabilities.