How to pass the PSTAR
The PSTAR is the first written exam every Canadian student pilot clears — the one standing between you and your first solo. It's finite, it's rule-based, and with the right practice it's very passable. Here's exactly what's on it, and every official question with the why worked out.
Official Transport Canada questions — reproduced verbatim from TP 11919E
What the PSTAR actually is
PSTAR is Transport Canada's pre-solo written test — the aviation-regulations exam you pass before an instructor can send you up alone. It's drawn from TP 11919E, Transport Canada's study guide, and it's all one subject: Canadian air law and the procedures that keep you safe in the circuit and the airspace around it.
Fifty multiple-choice questions, and you need 90% to pass — that's 45 of 50. The questions come from a published bank, so nothing on exam day should be a surprise if you've worked the material.
Read the official Transport Canada guide (TP 11919E)The real thing
Try a real one
Every question on the mock is an official Transport Canada item, graded the instant you answer, with the rule behind it. Here’s one straight from the bank:
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What it covers
Every PSTAR question lives in one of these areas. Work through them here — each question shows the options, the correct answer, the reason it's right, and the regulation it comes from.
Communications29 questions
Radio calls, frequencies, and read-back — who to call and what to say in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.
See all 29 questions
- If a MF is in use, pilots departing VFR shall monitor that frequency until
- Ground control authorizes “GOLF ALPHA BRAVO CHARLIE TAXI RUNWAY 29 HOLD SHORT OF RUNWAY 04”. The pilot should acknowledge this by replying “GOLF ALPHA BRAVO CHARLIE TO
- An initial call to Timmins FSS should be ‘Timmins
- A pilot flying a heading of 270°, receives the following message from ATC, “Traffic 2 o’clock, 5 miles, eastbound”. This information indicates the traffic is
- ATIS is normally provided
- A responsibility of a Flight Information Center (FIC) specialist is to provide
- After a Canadian privately registered aircraft has made initial contact with an ATS unit, which items may be omitted from subsequent transmissions? The aircraft type and
- When making initial contact with a Canadian ATC unit, the pilot of aircraft C-FBSQ should transmit the registration as
- ATC advises that your radio transmissions are READABILITY THREE this means that your transmissions are
- What should be included along with the call sign of the aircraft and time, to indicate cancellation of a distress message?
- Pilots operating in VMC and intending to land at aerodromes where no UNICOM exists, should broadcast their intentions on the ATF of
- The term “EST” in the End Time in a new or replacing NOTAM means the NOTAM is valid
- A radio equipped aircraft has been cleared to land at a controlled airport. The pilot should acknowledge the clearance by
- A departing flight will normally remain on tower frequency until
- A pilot is cleared to taxi to the runway in use without a hold short clearance. To get there, the aircraft must cross two taxiways and one runway. This authorizes the pilot to taxi to
- NOTAMs are
- When making initial contact with a Canadian ATC unit, the pilot of aircraft C-GFLU should transmit the manufacturer’s name or the type of aircraft, followed by registration as
- Where ATIS is available the information which should be included on first contact with ATC is the
- A new or replacing NOTAM without the term “EST” is valid
- The radiotelephone distress signal to indicate serious and/or imminent danger requiring immediate assistance is
- When a clearance for an “immediate take-off” is accepted, the pilot shall
- You advise ATC that you are on the downwind leg. If there is other traffic in the circuit, ATC will then
- A pilot receives the following ATC clearance “CLEARED TO LAND, TURN RIGHT AT THE FIRST INTERSECTION”. The pilot should
- On initial radio contact with an ATS unit the pilot shall transmit the
- En route aircraft should, whenever possible, maintain a listening watch for aircraft in distress on
- Pilots broadcasting on a MF where no ground station is in operation should direct their transmission to the
- Pilots operating VFR en route in uncontrolled airspace should continuously monitor . . . . . and 121.5 MHZ, when practical and not in communication on the MF or ATF frequency.
- The radiotelephone urgency signal to indicate a condition concerning the safety of an aircraft, vehicle or of some person on board which does not require immediate assistance is
- MF procedures such as frequency, distance and altitude to follow are given in the
Pilot Responsibilities23 questions
Fitness to fly, alcohol and drug limits, currency, and the pilot-in-command's legal duties.
See all 23 questions
- Unless ATC instructs otherwise, pilots operating VFR shall select transponder code 1200 when flying at or below ..... feet ASL and code ..... when flying above that altitude.
- When an arriving aircraft is cleared “to the circuit”, the pilot should interpret this to mean join the circuit
- A pilot on a VFR flight in Class C airspace is advised by ATC to maintain a specific heading. In the pilot’s opinion, this heading will cause conflict with another aircraft. The pilot should
- When a NORDO aircraft crosses an airport for the purpose of obtaining landing information it should maintain
- Aircraft flying VFR normally join the circuit at 1,000 feet AAE. This may not always be possible because of
- An aircraft is “cleared to the circuit” where a left hand circuit is in effect. Without further approval from ATC a right turn may be made to
- A student pilot on a VFR flight has been given a radar vector by ATC. Ahead, at a lower altitude, is a solid overcast cloud condition. The pilot should
- A NOTAM has been published for an airport, which is 400 feet ASL, stating the circuit height is 1,500 feet ASL. When the ceiling is 1,000 overcast and the visibility is 3 miles, the circuit height in controlled airspace should be
- A pilot on final approach is requested by ATC to reduce airspeed. The pilot should
- When instructed to continue an approach to a runway which is clear of traffic, what action should the pilot take if no landing clearance is received?
- Terminal airspace dimensions and VHF sector frequencies for certain high density traffic airports in Canada are shown
- The PIC of an aircraft shall comply with any light signals or ground marking prescribed in the CARs
- A pilot requests an intersection take-off from ATC. If authorized,
- A pilot on a VFR flight is being vectored by ATC towards an extensive unbroken layer of cloud. The responsibility for remaining VFR rests with
- The holder of a student pilot permit may for the sole purpose of the holder’s own flight training act as PIC of an aircraft
- When the reported ceiling is 1,000 feet overcast and visibility is 3 miles, to remain VFR, an aircraft cleared to the circuit must join
- The controller offers the option for a take-off from a runway intersection. The pilot must be aware that
- Before setting out on any VFR flight, a pilot is required to
- Pilots shall activate the transponder “ident” feature
- A pilot is cleared to land but is concerned about the high crosswind component. The pilot should
- A pilot on a Special VFR flight has been cleared to the circuit. Ahead, at a lower altitude, is a solid layer of stratus cloud. Remaining clear of cloud is the responsibility of
- An aircraft on a Special VFR flight has been cleared for a “straight in” approach. Because of low ceiling and poor visibility, the pilot is concerned about the exact location of a radio mast in the vicinity. Avoiding this obstruction is the responsibility
- If cleared for take-off immediately following the very low approach and overshoot of a large aircraft, the pilot should
Regulations – Canadian Airspace21 questions
Classes of airspace, VFR weather minima, and where you are and aren’t allowed to fly.
See all 21 questions
- Formation flying is permitted only if such flights
- ADIZ rules normally apply
- Except for balloons and as provided by CARs, no person shall cause any aircraft to take off or attempt to take off from, land on or attempt to land on, any surface within the built-up area of any city or town unless
- Flight through active Class F airspace with the designator CYR
- Except as provided by CARs, unless taking off, landing or attempting to land, no person shall fly a helicopter over a built-up area or open air assembly of persons except at an altitude that will permit, in the event of an emergency, the landing of the aircraft without creating a hazard to persons or property on the surface, and such altitude shall not be less than ..... above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of ..... from the aircraft.
- No person shall drop anything from an aircraft in flight
- An aircraft cruising VFR in level flight above 3,000 feet AGL on a track of 290°M shall be flown at an
- What is the height AGL above which an aircraft in VFR flight shall be operated to conform with the Cruising Altitudes Order?
- CARs state that after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage, no person shall act as a crew member of an aircraft within
- Over non-populous areas or over open water, a pilot must maintain a minimum distance of ..... feet from any person, vessel, vehicle or structure.
- A person may conduct aerobatic manoeuvres in an aircraft
- What distance from cloud shall an aircraft maintain when flying below 1,000 feet AGL within uncontrolled airspace?
- Low Level Airspace is defined as, all airspace
- Normally, a helicopter in uncontrolled airspace at less than 1,000 feet AGL may operate during the day in flight visibility which is not less than
- The selection of a cruising altitude in the southern domestic airspace should be based on the
- Which statement is correct with regard to “advisory airspace”?
- When operating in accordance with VFR, aircraft shall be flown
- Every person who is the holder of any pilot licence or permit shall, on demand, produce such licence or permit for inspection by persons authorized by the Minister, by peace officers and
- ‘Day’ in Canada is that period of time between
- A Control Zone normally is controlled airspace extending upwards from
- ‘Night’ in Canada is that period of time between
Aircraft Operations14 questions
Circuit procedures, take-off and landing, and operating safely in and around an aerodrome.
See all 14 questions
- When confronted with an approaching thunderstorm, a take-off or landing
- All accidental ELT activations should be reported to the
- An isolated thunderstorm is in close proximity to your aerodrome of intended landing. You should
- The take-off thrust blast danger area includes at least that area extending back from the tail of a medium size jet transport aeroplane for
- ATC advises that simultaneous operations are in progress at an airport. Pilots could expect a clearance to
- A 45 kt blast area can be expected ..... behind the propellers of a large turbo-prop aeroplane during taxi.
- The ground idle blast danger area extends back from the tail of a medium size jet aeroplane for at least
- The ground idle blast danger area extends back from the tail of a jumbo jet aeroplane for at least
- The ground idle blast danger area extends back from the tail of an executive jet aeroplane for
- In an emergency requiring the use of an ELT, it should be turned on
- When issued a clearance to land and hold short of an intersecting runway, pilots
- When an aircraft engine is left running on the ground and no person remains onboard, the aircraft’s movement must be restricted and
- Before shutting down you can verify that the aircraft’s ELT is not transmitting by
- An aircraft’s 121.5 MHz ELT may be switched to transmit for test purposes anytime
Wake Turbulence14 questions
Vortices behind larger aircraft, and the separation and timing that keep you clear on take-off and landing.
See all 14 questions
- Hazardous wake turbulence caused by aircraft in still air
- Avoiding wake turbulence is
- The wing tip vortices generated by a heavy aeroplane can cause a lighter aircraft encountering them to
- What effect would a light crosswind have on the wing tip vortices generated by a large aeroplane that had just taken off? A light crosswind
- Which response is most correct with respect to wake turbulence?
- Which statement concerning vortices caused by helicopters is correct?
- The pilot of a light aircraft on final approach close behind a heavier aircraft should plan the approach to land
- Wake turbulence caused by a departing large aeroplane begins
- Wake turbulence is produced by
- Wake turbulence caused by a departing aeroplane is most severe immediately
- A helicopter in forward flight produces hazardous vortices
- During the two minutes after the passage of a heavy aeroplane in cruising flight, hazardous wing tip vortices will
- Wake turbulence will be greatest when generated by an aeroplane which is
- Which statement concerning wing tip vortices is false?
Aeromedical13 questions
Hypoxia, fatigue, vision, and the human factors that affect a pilot in the air.
See all 13 questions
- Relatively small amounts of alcohol affect tolerance to hypoxia (lack of sufficient oxygen). This tolerance
- Damage to the ear drum in flight is most likely to occur
- The Canadian Medical Certificate of a private pilot under 40 years of age is valid, in Canada, for a period of
- A pilot who has donated blood should not act as a flight crew member for at least the next
- Many common drugs such as cold tablets, cough mixtures, antihistamines and other over-thecounter remedies may seriously impair the judgement and co-ordination needed while flying. The safest rule is to
- With regard to fatigue, which statement is correct according to the information given under the “Medical Information” section of the TC AIM?
- Clearing the ears on a rapid descent may be assisted by
- Flight crew members who require decompression stops on the way to the surface when SCUBA diving should not fly for
- Any pilot who has had a local anaesthetic for extensive dental procedures should not act as a flight crew member during the next
- What is the recommended treatment for hyperventilation below 8,000 feet?
- A flight crew member aware of being under a physical disability that might invalidate licence issue or renewal shall
- Any pilot who has had a general anaesthetic should not act as a flight crew member
- The Canadian Medical Certificate of a private pilot 40 years old and over is valid, in Canada, for a period of
Controlled Airspace12 questions
Clearances, transponder and radio requirements, and how to enter a control zone.
See all 12 questions
- VFR cross-country pilots wishing to cross through any part of a Class C Control Zone should
- The pilot of an arriving VFR flight shall make initial radio contact with a control tower in Class C airspace
- Unless otherwise authorized, a pilot on a VFR flight operating within a Class C terminal control area must
- When in VFR flight within a Control Zone, a pilot must remain clear of cloud by at least
- ATC may authorize a helicopter equipped with a functioning two-way radio to transit a Control Zone under day SVFR where the flight visibility and, when reported, ground visibility are each not less than
- An aircraft flying in accordance with Special VFR would be flying within
- When in VFR flight within controlled airspace, a pilot must remain clear of cloud by at least
- VFR flight within Class B airspace is permitted
- The minimum flight visibility for VFR flight within a low level airway is
- ATC may authorize an aircraft equipped with a functioning two-way radio to transit a Control Zone under day SVFR provided the flight visibility and, when reported, ground visibility, are each not less than
- An arriving VFR flight shall make initial radio contact with the control tower
- ‘Controlled Airspace’ means all airspace of defined dimensions within which
Equipment11 questions
Required instruments, transponders, ELTs, and the documents that must be aboard.
See all 11 questions
- The CARs define an infant passenger as a person
- What safety equipment must be available to each person on board a single-engine aircraft which is taking off from or landing on water?
- Taking into account seasonal climatic variations and geographical area, private aeroplanes and helicopters flying VFR 25 NM or more from an aerodrome or operating base may require
- Except for ultra-light aeroplanes and balloons, which documents shall be carried on board when flying a radio equipped Canadian privately registered aircraft? Items A, B and A. Flight Authority (Certificate of Airworthiness or Flight Permit). B. Certificate of Registration. C. Technical Records. D. Crew licences. E. Aircraft Flight Manual or equivalent document. F. Type certificate. G. Aircraft journey log book, where it is planned that the aircraft will land and shutdown at any location other than the point of departure. H. Proof of liability insurance.
- When the PIC directs that safety belts be fastened, an infant passenger for which no child restraint system is provided shall be
- Which flight instrument systems and equipment are required on power driven aircraft for day VFR flight? A magnetic direction indicating system or magnetic compass and A. an airspeed indicator. B. an attitude indicator. C. an altimeter. D. a vertical speed indicator. E. a turn and bank indicator. F. a time piece. G. a heading indicator.
- No pilot shall take off from or land at an aerodrome at night unless the
- No person shall fly an unpressurized aircraft for more than . . . . . at an altitude between 10,000 and 13,000 feet ASL unless there is readily available to each flight crew member, an oxygen mask and a supply of oxygen.
- The International VHF Emergency Frequency is
- Unless oxygen and oxygen masks as specified in CARs are readily available, no person shall fly unpressurized aircraft above
- A serviceable landing light is required equipment on aircraft
Flight Plans and Itineraries11 questions
When a flight plan or itinerary is required, what goes in it, and closing it on arrival.
See all 11 questions
- The amount of fuel and oil carried on board any helicopter at the commencement of a day VFR flight must be sufficient, to provide for foreseeable delays having been considered, to fly to the destination aerodrome,
- Estimated elapsed time A to B 1 hour 15 minutes. Estimated stopover time at B 30 minutes. Estimated elapsed time B to C 1 hour 20 minutes. Using the above information, what time should be entered in the “Elapsed Time” box of a VFR flight plan?
- The amount of fuel carried on board any propeller-driven aeroplane at the commencement of a day VFR flight must be sufficient, having regard to the meteorological conditions and foreseeable delays that are expected in flight, to fly to the destination aerodrome
- Where a VFR flight plan has been filed, an arrival report must be filed by the pilot
- How is an intermediate stop indicated on the flight plan form for a VFR flight?
- If a flight plan is not filed, a flight itinerary must be filed
- When filing a VFR flight plan with an intermediate stop, the total elapsed time to be entered is the total
- When there is a deviation from a VFR flight plan, ATC shall be notified of such deviation
- With regard to a flight itinerary, the “responsible person” means an individual who
- After landing from a VFR flight for which a flight plan has been filed, the pilot shall report the arrival to the appropriate ATS unit within
- Where no search and rescue initiation time is specified in a flight itinerary, when shall the pilot report to the “responsible person”?
Collision Avoidance10 questions
See-and-avoid, right-of-way rules, and scanning to stay clear of other traffic.
See all 10 questions
- When two aircraft are approaching head-on or approximately so and there is danger of collision, each pilot shall
- When two aircraft are converging at approximately the same altitude
- When converging at approximately the same altitude
- When two aircraft are converging at approximately the same altitude, which statement applies?
- Which statement is true with regard to aircraft converging at approximately the same altitude?
- When overtaking an aircraft at your 12 o’clock position, at your altitude, you should
- Two aircraft are on approach to land, the aircraft at the higher altitude shall
- When two power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft are converging at approximately the same altitude,
- When two aircraft are converging at approximately the same altitude, which statement applies?
- When two aircrafts are converging at approximately the same altitude, which statement applies?
Aerodromes8 questions
Runway and taxiway markings, lighting, and operating on and around the airport surface.
See all 8 questions
- Except for the purpose of taking off or landing, an aircraft shall not be flown over an aerodrome at a height of less than
- A dry standard wind direction indicator when horizontal indicates a wind speed of at least
- The manoeuvring area of an airport is that area
- No person shall operate any vehicle on any part of an uncontrolled airport used for the movement of aircraft, except in accordance with permission from
- Where taxiway holding positions have not been established, aircraft waiting to enter an active runway should normally hold
- Runways and taxiways or portions thereof that are closed to aircraft are marked by
- The west end of a runway oriented east and west is numbered
- An airport is
Visual Signals8 questions
Light-gun signals and ground signals for when the radio goes quiet.
See all 8 questions
- A series of red flashes directed at an aircraft means respectively in flight on the ground
- A series of green flashes directed at an aircraft means respectively in flight on the ground
- A flashing white light directed at an aircraft on the manoeuvring area of an airport means
- A steady red light directed at an aircraft means in flight on the ground
- Chrome yellow and black strips painted on pylons or on the roof of a building identifies
- Blinking runway lights advises vehicles and pedestrians to
- A steady green light directed at an aircraft means respectively in flight on the ground
- Pilots should not overfly reindeer or caribou at an altitude of less than
Clearances and Instructions6 questions
Reading back ATC clearances correctly and complying with instructions.
See all 6 questions
- If all or part of an ATC clearance is unacceptable, a pilot should
- An ATC instruction
- A pilot, after accepting a clearance and subsequently finding that all or part of the clearance cannot be complied with, should
- After accepting a clearance and subsequently finding that it cannot be complied with, a pilot should
- An ATC clearance
- An ATC clearance or instruction is predicated on known traffic only. Therefore, when a pilot is proceeding in accordance with a clearance or instruction
Aviation Occurrences5 questions
Reporting accidents and incidents — what counts as a reportable occurrence, and to whom.
See all 5 questions
- When an aircraft accident occurs, the pilot or operator of the aircraft involved shall ensure that the particulars of the accident are reported to the TSB
- The primary objective of an aviation safety investigation into an aircraft accident or aircraft incident is to
- The TSB considers missing aircraft to be
- The TSB shall be notified of a reportable aviation accident when
- Details on civil aviation accident reporting procedures can be found in the
How to actually prepare
Don't cram a hundred questions cold the night before. The PSTAR rewards understanding the rule, not memorising the answer letter — the exam can word the same regulation a dozen ways. Three steps:
- 1
Take a full mock, cold
See exactly where you stand before you study anything — the gaps you find are the plan.
- 2
Drill the topics that bit you
Work the rule behind each miss until it’s yours, not the answer letter. The exam re-words the same regulation a dozen ways.
- 3
Leave what you already own
Spend every minute on weak spots — surface what you’re about to forget, and let the rest be.
PSTAR questions, answered
How many questions are on the PSTAR?
Fifty multiple-choice questions. You need 90% to pass — 45 of 50 correct.
What is the PSTAR pass mark?
90%. On a 50-question exam that means 45 correct answers.
When do I take the PSTAR?
Before your first solo. You must pass it before an instructor can authorise a solo flight, so most students write it early in training.
What does the PSTAR cover?
Canadian air law — the Canadian Aviation Regulations — and the procedures around them: radio communications, controlled and uncontrolled airspace, aerodrome operations, collision avoidance, wake turbulence, aeromedical factors, flight plans, visual signals, and pilot responsibilities.
How should I study for the PSTAR?
Work the real questions until you understand the rule behind each one, then focus your time on your weak topics. A full mock first tells you where those are.
Is this the official PSTAR exam?
No. The questions here are Transport Canada's own, reproduced from TP 11919E, but Ready for Solo is an independent study tool — we're not affiliated with or endorsed by Transport Canada. The exam itself is administered by your flight instructor or a Transport Canada office.
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