[ARC5] FCC General exam

[Robert Eleazer]

I have a real problem with pointless questions on Govt exams.

For example on a Private Pilot written exam, they asked : "What effect does carburetor heat have on the engine fuel-air mixture?"

As an engineer, I knew that heating the intake air enriches the engine mixture ratio because the air is thus less dense.  But I never saw that taught in any ground course and the fact seemed to have no applicability to light aircraft operations.  In other words, I figured most people would not know what I know, and answered 'No effect."  The correct answer was indeed that it enriches the air fuel mixture.

Trivia questions have no place on license exams!  That "highest layer" question seems to fit that concept to me. 

Wayne