1. Learn to drive a tractor
   Bribe instructors after failing the knowledge test
2. Receive medical clearance

Before you receive that coveted pilot's license, you have to visit a doctor. Without medical clearance, you won't be taking off anytime soon.

1. Miles per hour
   Knots
2. With a ruler

Aviation measures windspeed in knots. You can convert 1 knot to 1.15 MPH.

1. Pitch the nose down.
   Press the brake pedals.
2. Cross your fingers and close your eyes.

It's not uncommon for certain types of aircraft to stall. It's not necessarily time to panic, but you do need to pitch the nose down​ to regain airspeed.

1. Relays your position and altitude to air traffic control
   Controls fuel flow
2. Keeps the plane level

The transponder is a critical communications tool. It uses radio signals to send your altitude and position to air traffic controllers, helping them to keep the skies safe for everyone.

1. Pitch
   The direction in which the plane is going
2. Speed in knots

The heading indicator shows which direction the plane is going. It looks like the face of a compass.

1. The main​ body of the plane
   The fuel tank
2. The leading edge of the wings

The fuselage is the main body of the plane. Pilots are taught to visually inspect the fuselage of their aircraft to make sure it's not cracked or damaged.

1. A roll
   A tailspin
2. A bombing run

Think of the longitudinal axis as a piece of twine through the center of the plane from tail to nose. It allows the plane to roll as it remains horizontal, while the body rotates diagonally.

1. On the wing near the fuselage
   In the rudder
2. On the tail

Many large planes have two sets of wing flaps. The inboard flaps are the ones nearest the fuselage -- the outboard flaps are closer to the wingtips.

1. Toggle for landing gear
   Targeted launch
2. Touch-and-go landing

Many pilots practice TGL (touch-and-go landings) in their early days. This continual repetition of landing and taking off again helps them to better control their aircraft.

1. Tailwind
   Headwind
2. Crosswind

Pilots must always be aware of current weather conditions. A crosswind is any wind that moves perpendicular to the aircraft's direction, and it can have a major impact on flight dynamics.

1. Near the galley
   On the control panel
2. On the tail

The elevators are located on the plane's tail section. When the elevators go down, the plane goes up, and vice versa.

1. The horizon
   The North Star
2. Airspeed​

Pilots constantly evaluate the position of the aircraft with regard to the horizon. The attitude indicator shows which direction the plane is tilted and to what degree.

1. To make the throttle work
   To operate the heading and attitude indicators
2. To keep cookie crumbs out of the pilot's seat

An aircraft's vacuum pump is incredibly important. Without it, the aircraft's attitude and heading indicators don't work properly.

1. Last rites
   F​inal leg
2. Final destination

Each landing circuit is made up of several legs. The base leg is the part of the circuit you fly just before descending into the final leg.

1. Attitude
   Potential speed and altitude
2. Dive angle

Wing shape is incredibly important to the aircraft's overall capabilities. It has a direct bearing on the plane's maximum speed and altitude.

1. To increase thrust
   To slow the plane
2. To make a plane look sporty

Spoilers are hinged plates integrated into the top area of the wings. When raised, they can help the plane descend, and they can also reduce the aircraft's speed.

1. Plane control systems
   Automatic pilot
2. Kite string

In the old days, pilots used the yoke and pedals to literally move the parts of the plane. These days, these controllers are all electronic, and the computer instead activates motors that move the rudders, wings, etc.

1. Fuselage
   Wheel
2. Ailerons

The ailerons are what make the wings work. Ice buildup on this critical component can have all sorts of tragic consequences.

1. Fly only large aircraft
   Fly in very remote mountainous areas
2. Operate unmanned aerial vehicles

The FAA offers multiple levels of pilot licenses. A remote license only allows you to fly UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles).

1. Elevation
   Altitude
2. Velocity

Pilots always have to keep a close eye on their altitude, the height of their plane above sea level. Because otherwise, you know, boom.

1. Up
   Down
2. Completely horizontal

During takeoff, the wing flaps should be in the down position. This helps increase lift, which helps the plane ascend into the skies.

1. Creates lift
   Allows the plane to yaw
2. Reduces load

The normal axis allows the plane to yaw. Yaw is the when the aircraft moves left or right but remains on a horizontal plane.

1. Right
   Left
2. Down

In a standard circuit, pilots turn left. But for many reasons, it's often necessary to perform a right-hand circuit, so you must be well-versed in both.

1. The plane begins to roll.
   The plane's yaw drastically changes.
2. The plane disintegrates.

Pilots may use only one wing's spoiler at a time. In doing so, they induce a rolling motion to help change the plane's direction.

1. Simply denotes the airstrip number at the airport
   Runway length
2. Compass direction

Every American runway features a two-digit number. That number refers to the compass direction, and is listed as degrees magnetic. Three-digit numbers are rounded to two digits (i.e. 220 degrees would be 22).

1. Part of the yoke
   Electrical component
2. Airfield traffic pattern

In aviation, "circuit" refers to airfield traffic patterns. As with all aspects of flying, there are good and bad ways to execute a circuit.

1. Accelerate
   Rotate
2. Pitch

The lateral axis allows the nose of the plane to move up or down. This happens in a diagonal motion.

1. 1,000 feet
   8,000 feet
2. 14,000 feet

Pilots must learn to fly circuits well if they want to land safely. A typical circuit altitude is around 1,000 feet.

1. VHF omnidirectional range
   Velocity recorder
2. Vector operational radar

VOR stands for VHF omnidirectional range, a type of short-range radio guidance system. The system helps the pilot use a series of ground-based radio beacons to pinpoint location.

1. Two miles
   20 miles
2. 200 miles

VOR ground stations help pilots determine their location, and without them, things can get dicey in certain situations. The stations only have a signal range of about 200 miles.