Master the Military Flight Aptitude Tests 6th Edition SOLOMON WIENER Colonel, AUS-Ret. AnARCOBook ARCOisaregisteredtrademarkofPeterson’sandisusedhereinunderlicensebyPeterson’s. AboutPeterson’s,aNelnetcompany Peterson’s(www.petersons.com)isaleadingproviderofeducationinformationandadvice,withbooksandonline resourcesfocusingoneducationsearch,testpreparation,andfinancialaid.ItsWebsiteofferssearchabledatabases andinteractivetoolsforcontactingeducationalinstitutions,onlinepracticetestsandinstruction,andplanningtoolsfor securingfinancialaid.Peterson’sserves110millioneducationconsumersannually. Petersons.com/publishing CheckoutourWebsiteatwww.petersons.com/publishingtoseeifthereisanynewinformationregardingthetest andanyrevisionsorcorrectionstothecontentofthisbook.We’vemadesuretheinformationinthisbookisaccurate andup-to-date;however,thetestformatorcontentmayhavechangedsincethetimeofpublication. Formoreinformation,contactPeterson’s,2000LenoxDrive,Lawrenceville,NJ08648; 800-338-3282;orfindusontheWorldWideWebatwww.petersons.com/about. ©2005SolomonWiener Previouseditions©1989,1994,1997,2000,2002 Editor:TheresaC.Moore;ProductionEditor:TeresinaJonkoski;Manufacturing Manager:RayGolaszewski;CompositionManager:MicheleAble ALLRIGHTSRESERVED.Nopartofthisworkcoveredbythecopyrighthereinmay bereproducedorusedinanyformorbyanymeans—graphic,electronic,or mechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,taping,Webdistribution,or informationstorageandretrievalsystems—withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionof thepublisher. Forpermissiontousematerialfromthistextorproduct,completethePermission RequestFormathttp://www.petersons.com/permissions. ISSN1555-9793 ISBN13:978-0-7689-1700-0 ISBN10:0-7689-1700-X PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 06 SixthEdition Contents What This Book Will Do for You.................................................. vii PART I: CAREERS IN MILITARY AVIATION................... 1 Chapter 1: Career Opportunities as Military Pilots, Navigators, or Flight Officers...... 2 Career Opportunities as a Commissioned Officer ....................... 2 General Qualification Requirements for a Commissioned Officer .......... 2 Pathways to Becoming an Officer ................................... 3 Basic Officer Training............................................. 4 Rank, Pay, and Benefits ........................................... 5 Chapter 2: Military Aviation................................................. 9 Airplane Pilots................................................... 9 Helicopter Pilots.................................................. 10 Airplane Navigators............................................... 11 Naval Flight Officers.............................................. 12 Chapter 3: Service Information on Flight Training Programs....................... 13 Air Force ....................................................... 13 Army........................................................... 15 Navy........................................................... 19 Marine Corps.................................................... 25 Coast Guard..................................................... 28 PART II: MILITARY FLIGHT APTITUDE TESTS .................. 35 Chapter 4: General Test Information........................................... 36 The Test Format.................................................. 36 Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT)........................... 36 Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test (AFAST) ...................... 38 Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Selection Test Battery................. 39 Composite Scoring................................................ 40 Chapter 5: Strategies for Preparing for and Taking Military Flight Aptitude Tests...... 42 Preparing for the Test ............................................. 42 Guessing........................................................ 43 Taking the Test .................................................. 44 iii iv Contents PART III: TYPES OF QUESTIONS USED IN MILITARY FLIGHT APTITUDE TESTS................................ 47 Chapter 6: The Kinds of Questions You’ll Be Asked ............................. 51 Synonyms....................................................... 51 Verbal Analogies................................................. 52 Reading Comprehension ........................................... 54 Arithmetic Reasoning ............................................. 61 Math Knowledge ................................................. 63 Data Interpretation................................................ 65 Mechanical Comprehension......................................... 67 Electrical Maze .................................................. 72 Scale Reading.................................................... 73 Instrument Comprehension ......................................... 75 Block Counting .................................................. 84 Table Reading ................................................... 86 Aviation Information.............................................. 87 Nautical Information .............................................. 92 Rotated Blocks................................................... 96 General Science.................................................. 99 Hidden Figures................................................... 100 Background Information, Self-Description, Biographical Inventory......... 102 Complex Movements.............................................. 103 Cyclic Orientation ................................................ 105 Spatial Apperception .............................................. 110 Answers and Explanations.......................................... 118 PART IV: AIR FORCE OFFICER QUALIFYING TEST (AFOQT).. 127 Chapter 7: Sample Air Force Officer Qualifying Test............................. 128 Part 1 Verbal Analogies ........................................... 133 Part 2 Arithmetic Reasoning........................................ 137 Part 3 Reading Comprehension...................................... 143 Part 4 Data Interpretation .......................................... 153 Part 5 Word Knowledge ........................................... 161 Part 6 Math Knowledge ........................................... 165 Part 7 Mechanical Comprehension .................................. 171 Part 8 Electrical Maze ............................................ 177 Part 9 Scale Reading ............................................. 183 Part 10 Instrument Comprehension .................................. 191 Part 11 Block Counting ........................................... 203 Part 12 Table Reading ............................................ 207 Part 13 Aviation Information ....................................... 215 www.petersons.com/arco Contents v Part 14 Rotated Blocks ............................................ 221 Part 15 General Science ........................................... 227 Part 16 Hidden Figures ........................................... 231 Answers and Explanations.......................................... 236 PART V: ARMY ALTERNATE FLIGHT APTITUDE SELECTION TEST (AFAST)............................... 257 Chapter 8: Sample Army Alternate Flight Aptitude Selection Test .................. 258 Subtest 1 Background Information................................... 261 Subtest 2 Instrument Comprehension ................................ 267 Subtest 3 Complex Movements ..................................... 275 Subtest 4 Helicopter Knowledge .................................... 281 Subtest 5 Cyclic Orientation ....................................... 287 Subtest 6 Mechanical Functions .................................... 297 Subtest 7 Self-Description ......................................... 303 Answers and Explanations.......................................... 310 PART VI: NAVY AND MARINE CORPS AVIATION SELECTION TEST BATTERY ............................. 317 Chapter 9: Specimen Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Selection Test Battery ........ 318 Test 1 Math/Verbal Test (MVT) .................................... 321 Test 2 Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT) ........................ 327 Test 3 Spatial Apperception Test .................................... 333 Test 4 Biographical Inventory (BI) .................................. 353 Test 5 Aviation/Nautical Information (ANT) .......................... 361 Answers and Explanations.......................................... 365 www.petersons.com/arco What This Book Will Do for You E ach year, thousands of armed forces personnel— when it is not. You will also build your confidence with includingupto80percentofallofficercandidates— in-depth math and verbal reviews and the following seek admission to the U.S. military’s world-class important test subjects: flight training programs. This unique guide will help you n Instrument Comprehension get the edge you need to score high on your test day. Military Flight Aptitude Tests covers every type of n Cyclic Orientation flight aptitude test and includes full-length sample tests n Spatial Apperception with explanations and diagrams for simulating in-flight practice to help you score high on: n Scale Reading n TheArmyFlightAptitudeSelectionTest(AFAST) n Mechanical Comprehension n The Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) Ifyouarenotsureaboutyourcareerdirection,themilitary career guidance and information you need is included with n The Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Selection completedescriptionsoftrainingprogramsforeachservice Battery branch. Proven test-taking tips and strategies are included to help MilitaryFlightAptitudeTestsiseverythingyouneed you prepare for every type of question you will see on the to qualify for military flight training in today’s Armed actual exam. This includes when it is best to guess and Forces. vii I PART CAREERS IN MILITARY AVIATION 1 CHAPTER CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS MILITARY PILOTS, NAVIGATORS, OR FLIGHT OFFICERS M ilitary pilots, navigators, and flight officers are n Government-paid moving expenses when chang- commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of ing duty stations the United States. No matter what their area of n Thirty days annual leave with pay specializationorcareerfield,allcommissionedofficersare afforded the same career opportunities. n Shopping privileges at military commissaries and exchanges n Periodic promotions based on performance CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A COMMISSIONED OFFICER n Membership privileges at officers’ clubs Commissioned officers in the Air Force, Army, Marines, n Outstanding retirement benefits Navy, and Coast Guard enjoy a diversified professional Some of the major disadvantages include: career interwoven with adventure and travel, plus a variety of assignments geared to challenge and develop individual n Family relocation skills and expertise. In addition, opportunities for promo- tion are excellent. n Separation from family when on certain assign- Theyalsoenjoyacombinationofprivileges,benefits, ments opportunities, and responsibilities rarely offered elsewhere. n Slightly greater hazard than in some other There are approximately 225,000 men and women occupations currently serving as officers both on active duty and in Reserve components of the Armed Forces of the United n Working hours not always constant States. n Desired job assignment or duty station not always available Among the many advantages of a military career are the following: GENERAL QUALIFICATION n Responsibility and an opportunity to exercise REQUIREMENTS FOR A leadership at an early age COMMISSIONED OFFICER n Opportunity for advanced education through tu- ition assistance programs Each year, approximately 25,000 men and women become commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. The n Excellent pay term commissioned refers to the certification that officers receive upon meeting all qualification requirements. The n Opportunity for travel certification confers military rank, authority, and obliga- n Low-cost life insurance of up to $250,000 tion. The general qualification requirements are presented on the following page. Note that specific requirements n Medical and dental care vary by service branch. 2