CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES.
HPL – RECENT ATPL MISTAKES
Questions 1–30
(Commonly misunderstood, frequently failed, and repeatedly tested areas)
Question 1
Which factor is the primary cause of hypoxia at altitude?
A. Increased CO₂
B. Reduced oxygen percentage
C. Reduced partial pressure of oxygen
D. Increased nitrogen absorption
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Oxygen percentage remains constant, but partial pressure decreases with altitude, causing hypoxia.
Question 2
Which type of hypoxia is caused by smoking or exhaust fumes?
A. Hypoxic hypoxia
B. Histotoxic hypoxia
C. Stagnant hypoxia
D. Hypemic hypoxia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity (hypemic hypoxia).
Question 3
Which symptom appears earliest in hypoxia?
A. Cyanosis
B. Tunnel vision
,C. Loss of consciousness
D. Euphoria and impaired judgment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Cognitive impairment and false confidence occur before physical symptoms.
Question 4
What is the Time of Useful Consciousness (TUC) at FL350?
A. 1–2 minutes
B. 30–60 seconds
C. 10–15 seconds
D. 3–5 minutes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
At FL350, useful consciousness is less than one minute.
Question 5
Which condition worsens hypoxia effects?
A. High humidity
B. Cold temperature
C. Smoking and fatigue
D. Low cabin noise
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Smoking and fatigue reduce oxygen delivery and tolerance.
Question 6
Which illusion causes pilots to pull up during acceleration?
A. Coriolis illusion
B. Somatogravic illusion
C. Inversion illusion
D. False horizon
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Linear acceleration creates a false sensation of nose-up attitude.
, Question 7
Which situation most commonly triggers spatial disorientation?
A. VMC daytime
B. IMC with limited visual references
C. Straight-and-level flight
D. Stable cruise
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Lack of visual cues in IMC leads to vestibular misinterpretation.
Question 8
What is the most dangerous type of spatial disorientation?
A. Unrecognized
B. Recognized
C. Incapacitating
D. Mild
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Unrecognized disorientation causes pilots to trust false sensations.
Question 9
Which illusion is caused by head movement during a turn?
A. Somatogravic
B. Inversion
C. Coriolis
D. Autokinesis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Coriolis illusion results from head movement while rotating.
Question 10
What causes autokinesis?
A. Rapid eye movement
B. Prolonged staring at a single light
C. Fatigue
D. Alcohol