AirQuiz News   See System Status

29th January 2012 : Introduction of hPa throughout our database
All questions throughout the entire AirQuiz database now use 'hectopascal' and the abbreviation 'hPa'.  From the 17 November 2011, millibars have been replaced with hectopascals in the UK in aviation, a change which chiefly affects radiotelephony (CAP413) and meteorological reports/forecasts. CAA documents and publications will be amended to adopt the hectopascal in lieu of the millibar over time, so , for a while, you may see both in use.  The millibar is directly equivalent to the hectopascal (hPa). No conversion factor is required as the only difference is the name. For more information and links to the official documentation, see our 'explain' page at http://www.airquiz.com/explain/hectopascal.htm 

NEWS ARCHIVES

25th Aug 2011 : Database and system updates
We are currently working on some enhancements to the AirQuiz database and system. The question database is currently being reviewed to ensure that our questions are in line with current examination practices.  We expect to complete this in Sept 2011. We are also overhauling the registration pages to simplify and improve matters for new users, and we are adding a facility for people to suggest questions or tell us what questions they have found hard. 

14th Jan 2011 : Database updates to Air Law.
The database section relating to Air Law has been updated with 12 questions withdrawn, and 16 new questions added.  This takes the database to 2,943 questions, with 472 questions in this subject area. New explanation pages relating to flying training which is now permitted at unlicensed aerodromes were also added, owing to the number of queries we have received on this since the Air Navigation Order was updated in April 2010.

7th Aug 2010 : Transfer to new server complete.
During the period 5th-6th August we transferred AirQuiz to a new server. This gives us a number of system updates, and provides substantially increased storage space - something much needed given that AirQuiz has now created more than 100,000 practice examinations since 2004. (We are also now able to provide duplicate copies of examination results up to 28 days after you have taken an examination.)

8th Jul 2010 : Database updates.
We have been updating the database and have added 15 new explanation pages for questions that people are consistently getting wrong. (The results emails will notify you if there is an explanation page available for a particular question.) 

7th Mar 2010 : Problems logging in? Now resolved.
On Saturday 6th March we were alerted to login problems being experienced during the evening. The system was taken offline to investigate and rectify the problem, which turned out to be a master database file failing to update properly after a new user registration.  This error was corrected and normal service was restored some five hours after we became aware of the problem. Many thanks to those of you that sent us an email to alert us - and many apologies if you were one of those that lost some examination practice time yesterday evening.

29 Oct 2009 : Aircraft General Database Update
This section of the database has been updated with new questions added on engine theory and operation, taking the AirQuiz database to 2,939 questions in total, with 512 questions in this subject. 

12 Jul 2009 : ATSOCAS Update
A review of Air Traffic Services Outside Controlled Airspace (ATSOCAS) was triggered following concerns about the lack of standardisation and the problems that this raised. As part of the Airspace and Safety Initiative, a complete revision of the flight information services in uncontrolled airspace (classes F & G) was made, coming into effect from 12th March 2009.  All areas of the AirQuiz database have now been updated to reflect this change.

03 Feb 2009 : Meteorology Subject Update
This subject has now been updated to take account of the recent changes to the UK TAF format described previously.  In addition to these updates, we have added some more questions that test candidates ability to interpret the forecast with respect to safe flight planning.

10 Dec 2008 : Changes to UK TAF format
On the 5th November 2008, changes to the UK TAF format were introduced.  The main change is to add the day of the month to the time information to reduce potential ambiguity.  We are working on updates to the AirQuiz database to reflect these latest changes.  Further information about the change in TAF format is available at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/news/changes/taf.htm

18 Sep 2008 : Removal of Cheque payments
As part of our rework of the website and as per the earlier news alert, we have now removed the cheque payments option.

11 May 2008 : Website Updates and removal of Cheque payments
In future we will be revising the 'look and feel' of the AirQuiz website, which has run in its existing form for nearly 5 years.  All existing features will stay, and we plan to continue our policy of declining any advertising on the site.  As part of this process, we are likely to stop accepting cheque payments in view of the very low levels of usage and slow processing.

8th January 2008 : Unofficial extension to AirQuiz subscriptions
For 2008 we have decided to 'unofficially' remove the 2 year expiry on AirQuiz accounts. This means that your subscription will guarantee you two years of service, with continued access thereafter available as long as we maintain the AirQuiz system.  Your account may eventually get archived but this will be restored when you next log in.  We wanted to mark our 5th year of operation and we decided on this for two reasons.  Firstly to help people who have a break in their training which can mean a repeat of the examinations.  Secondly, a number of experienced pilots re-subscribed to the system just to 'keep their hand in'.  We thought this was an excellent way of maintaining pilot currency and wanted to support and encourage this.

8th November 2007 : Our 2000th registration!
Congratulations to Simon, who wins the free AirQuiz subscription as our 2,000th member.  Simon tells us that he saw the AirQuiz flyer at 'Aeros' flying school at Gloucester Airport, where he is training in a PA28 with instructors he rates as excellent.  It was amusing to discover that his AirQuiz score for Air Law was exactly what he got in the real examination!  We wish him all the best with his training and studies.

17th October 2007 : Our 2000th registration - will it be you?
Since our launch on the 1st January 2004, nearly 2000 trainee pilots have registered for access to our system.  We are quite close to reaching that 2000 figure.  If this happens to be you, then we will refund your registration fees in full, and give you 2 years of free access to the full range of subjects available!  

3rd June 2007 : AirQuiz Server Upgrade
During the latter part of May we transferred AirQuiz to a new server.  We are pleased to say that this move went smoothly without any significant downtime - and you should now notice a snappier performance when creating examinations. 

22nd April 2007 : PPLUK Competition winner announced!
PPLUK is a relatively new website aiming to support PPL training and flying in the UK.  Last month, PPLUK ran a competition supported by us with a free AirQuiz registration for the winner.  PPLUK have published the winning story.  (Note [2009]: This is no longer available online)

1st January 2007 : Database Update (Air Law)
This update to the AirQuiz database adds 35 new questions bringing the total to 2,905 questions.  6 outdated questions were deleted or modified.  In particular, significant updates to the Air Law subject were made in the area of flight planning, following the recent update to the AIP in this respect. 

26th October 2006 : Server uptime statistics now available
Server uptime statistics are now available for both AirQuiz.com (the primary server) and AirQuiz.co.uk (our backup server). Monitoring is performed by an independent server to provide genuine uptime statistics and details of any periods of downtime/maintenance. These are available on the Statistics page of this site.

12th August 2006 : Improved handling of new registrations
We have added some new features to the registration process, which provides improved error handling.  In addition to this, the registration system also now detects and resolves duplicate accounts wherever possible.  This helps prevent you from registering and paying for a new AirQuiz account if you already have one!

29th May 2006 : Improvements to Login Reminders
We have made the login reminder facility simpler and quicker to use.  Previously you had to quote your username or your password in addition to your email address.  Now, if you forget your login details just enter your registered email address and a reminder will be sent to you, together with a new password.

9th May 2006 : Duplicate Copies of AirQuiz Results
We receive the occasional request for duplicate copies of AirQuiz examination results / marking sheet emails.  This can arise if the original is accidentally deleted, or if an incorrect email address is supplied during registration.  We have now implemented a 'duplicate copy' service which will allow us to resend any examination result or marking sheet on request, providing the request is made within 7 days of the examination creation date.   

26th March 2006 : Changes to the Meteorology section
A number of changes have been made to the F215 (UK) and F415 (European) weather charts from 14 March 2006.  These are now termed UK and European low-level significant weather (Sig Wx) forecast charts, and have a different layout.  In time, these changes will be reflected in the PPL theory examinations, and to support this transition process we have started introducing questions based on the new charts.  For a while you will see both old and new style charts in AirQuiz examinations during the change to the new format.  For more information on this change, see http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/aviation/news/briefing_charts/details.html 

16th January 2006 : Database Updates
We have been working in all sections of the AirQuiz database to ensure that it is up to date, adding further explanations for the questions people commonly get wrong.  In the Air Law and Meteorology subjects, we have also added some new questions. There are now 2,849 questions available in the database.

9th July 2005 : Timer available during examinations
You can now see the elapsed and remaining time during online examinations - use the new button to start (and stop) the timer at your discretion.

20th May 2005 : Rule 5 Amendment
We have amended the questions in the AirQuiz database that test knowledge of Rule 5, following the recent amendment to the Rules of the Air 1996.  Further information about this can be found at http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051110.htm

21st April 2005 : Minor update to 'Aircraft General'
We have added 25 new questions to this examination subject.  In addition to new questions on aircraft handling, we have developed some more complex questions that integrate and test the application of more than one aspect of theoretical knowledge.  Questions like these make it more difficult to get away with just 'remembering facts'!  This update takes the database count to 2,838 questions.

23rd January 2005 : Statistics added to the "Worst" Questions
You can now see the distribution of the responses for each of the "Worst" Questions.  We added this in response to feedback suggesting that it would be a good idea to see how people had answered each question.  (To see the list of "Worst" questions, just login to your account - the link is found in the 'Tools and Utilities' box.)

7th January 2005 : Check out the "Worst" Questions!
In the latter half of 2004, we started work on a new database that (anonymously) records how people answer the questions. This allows us to identify the questions that people most commonly get wrong. As from the 7th January 2005, you can now see the top 5 "worst" questions for each examination subject that you are registered for.  Simply login to your account - the new link is found in the 'Tools and Utilities' box.

10th November 2004 : Website, System and Database updates
All AirQuiz users now have the ability to inspect their activity logs.  (Login to your account, and you will see the new link.)  We have also done some minor reorganisation of the website to improve the layout - including the introduction of a new 'Help' tab, which provides easy access to the AirQuiz Help Centre. Finally, we have also added some new questions to the Radiotelephony examination due to the introduction of the SAFETYCOM frequency on the 11th November 2004.

15th August 2004 : Backup server now online!
On the 2nd August, AirQuiz users experienced intermittent connection problems throughout the day, due to major damage to the BT infrastructure of network fibre optic cables.  We immediately started work on the development of a backup system, hosted on a completely different server in a different part of the UK.  We are pleased to report that you now have an alternative server to use (www.airquiz.co.uk) should you have any problems connecting to AirQuiz.com

6th July 2004 : System update: improved feedback
To improve the quality of feedback to you, we have implemented two new features in AirQuiz.  Firstly, all results emails will now include a list of 'suggested areas for further study' - based on an analysis of your results.  Secondly, we have also introduced explanations for some of the questions that people commonly get wrong.  (If there is an explanation available, a link will appear in your results email.)  At the moment, only a few explanations are available, but over the coming weeks we plan to introduce more.

21st June 2004 : Navigation and Radionavigation updated
This subject has now been updated, and a total of 91 new questions were added, including new sections on density altitudes, compass use and true / magnetic / compass course calculations.  You will now find that all subjects have four answer options, in line with the latest release of the CAA examinations.  The database now comprises 2,803 questions!  (You can check for forthcoming planned maintenance using the System Status link above.)

6th June 2004 : Radiotelephony Communications updated
This subject has now been comprehensively reworked and updated.  In addition to the update to four answer options, a total of 94 new questions were added - including additional sections on distress and radio failure procedures. 

30th May 2004 : Aircraft General and Principles of Flight updated
This subject has now been updated to include four answer options.  62 new questions were added - including new sections on aircraft engines and engine handling - with thanks and acknowledgement to Lycoming USA for their support.

19th May 2004 : Lycoming contribute to the AirQuiz database
Following discussion with Lycoming (aircraft engine manufacturer), Lycoming have contributed a series of questions relating to aircraft engines in general.  These will be incorporated into the forthcoming release of Aircraft General & Principles of Flight.  Many thanks to Lycoming (USA) for their collaboration on this.

1st May 2004 : IMC Rating updated
This minor update to the IMC section restructured a couple of subsections, and an extra 6 questions on weather conditions and decisions were added.

31st March 2004 : Human Performance & Limitations updated
This section of the database has now been updated to four answer options.  12 new questions were also added and the section on collision risks was reworked. 

28th March 2004 : Flight Performance & Planning updated
This section of the database has now been updated.  14 new questions were also added.  Sections on safety factors and weight 'n balance were updated.

25th March 2004 : Meteorology updated
The Meteorology section of the database has now been updated.  In total, 54 new questions were also added, including a brand new graphical section on aviation weather symbols.   

20th March 2004 : Air Law updated
The Air Law and Operational Procedures database has now been updated.  In addition to the update, 46 brand new questions have been added, including a whole new section on airspace classification.