Professional Development Guide (PDG) Test
This is information taken from chapters 2 through 19 of the 1 October 2011 PDG (AFPAM 36-2241).
Each question has a feedback/explanation section with further information on the answer as well as Wikipedia links to important places, peoples and things.
- 1.
What is the name of the fort that was located on Liberty Island (Also known as Bedloes Island) in New York Harbor? (2.1)
- A.
Fort Meade
- B.
Fort Buckner
- C.
Fort Wood
- D.
Fort Walton
Correct Answer
C. Fort WoodExplanation
This fort was named in honor of Eleazer Derby Wood who died in the War of 1812.Rate this question:
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- 2.
In 1907, which two individuals were told they would be learning to repair and inflate balloons? (2.1)
- A.
Corporal Edward Ward
- B.
Captain Charles Chandler
- C.
Private Joseph E. Barrett
- D.
Private First Class Vernon Burge
Correct Answer(s)
A. Corporal Edward Ward
C. Private Joseph E. BarrettExplanation
Corporal Edward Ward and Private Joseph E. Barrett were told they would be learning to repair and inflate balloons in 1907.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Who recorded the first successful and useful balloon reconnaissance mission for the Army? (2.2.1)
- A.
Thaddeus Lowe
- B.
John La Mountain
- C.
William Ivy Baldwin
- D.
Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm
Correct Answer
B. John La MountainExplanation
On 21 July 1861, he rose to 1,400 feet and, commanding a view 30 miles in radius, informed Major General Benjamin Butler that Confederate strength around Hampton, Virginia, was weaker that originally thought. (Para 2.2.1, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 4.
What was the name of the 14,000 cubic foot silk balloon, built by William Ivy Baldwin and his wife, that was used during the Spanish-American War at the battle of San Juan Hill.
- A.
Santiago
- B.
Fernando
- C.
Alejandro
- D.
Roberto
Correct Answer
A. SantiagoExplanation
Baldwin enlisted in 1897 and was tasked to ready the balloon for Signal Corps service. (Para 2.2.1.1, AFPAM 36-2241)
Also, yes, I took the other names from the Lady Gaga song "Alejandro" because that shit was just weird.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Where did the Wright brothers fly their heavier-than-air contraption in 1903? (2.2.2.1)
- A.
Paris, France
- B.
Flying Dales, England
- C.
New York City, New York
- D.
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
Correct Answer
D. Kitty Hawk, North CarolinaExplanation
Their flight helped spark and increase public enthusiasm for all things aeronautical. (Para 2.2.2.1, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 6.
In 1906, which two individuals competed in the first international balloon race from Paris, France to Flying Dales, England? (2.2.2.1)
- A.
Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm
- B.
Major Henry P. Hersey
- C.
Captain Charles Chandler
- D.
Private First Class Vernon Burge
Correct Answer(s)
A. Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm
B. Major Henry P. HerseyExplanation
They won the 1906 Gordon Bennett trophy, sparking renewed national interest in aeronautics. (Para 2.2.2.1, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 7.
Who were the first enlisted men to be assigned to the Signal Corps Small Aeronautical Division? (2.2.2.2)
- A.
Captain Charles Chandler
- B.
Private First Class Vernon Burge
- C.
Corporal Edward Ward
- D.
Private Joseph E. Barrett
Correct Answer(s)
C. Corporal Edward Ward
D. Private Joseph E. BarrettExplanation
On 2 July 1907, the two individuals were sent to Leo Stevens balloon factory in New York City. (Para 2.2.2.2, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 8.
Who headed the newly created, three-person U.S. Army Signal Corps Aeronautical Division?
- A.
Captain Charles Chandler
- B.
Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge
- C.
Lieutenant Benjamin D. Foulois
- D.
Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm
Correct Answer
A. Captain Charles ChandlerExplanation
This division lasted from 1907 until 1914. (2.3 - 2.3.1, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 9.
Who became the U.S. Army's first enlisted pilot? (2.3.1)
- A.
Private First Class Vernon Burge
- B.
Corporal Edward Ward
- C.
Private Joseph E. Barrett
- D.
Private Glen Madole
Correct Answer
A. Private First Class Vernon BurgeExplanation
Private First Class Vernon Burge became the U.S. Army's first enlisted pilot.Rate this question:
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- 10.
When did the U.S. Army receive its first airplane? (2.3.2)
- A.
August 1907
- B.
August 1908
- C.
September 1908
- D.
August 1909
Correct Answer
B. August 1908Explanation
The Wright brothers arrived at Fort Myer (Note: "Fort Myers" is a city in Florida while for "Fort Myer" is the actual military installation.) with the first plane the U.S. government purchased. (2.3.2, AFPAM 36-2241) The airplane was formally accepted on 2 August 1909. (2.3.3, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 11.
What was the designation of the first airplane the U.S. Army received? (2.3.3)
- A.
Dirigible No. 1
- B.
Airplane No. 1
- C.
Plane No. 1
- D.
Aeroplane No. 1
Correct Answer
D. Aeroplane No. 1Explanation
The Wright brothers themselves, along with their civilian mechanics, tinkered with the airplane during the trial and training period. (2.3.3, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 12.
Who was in charge of the one airplane the U.S. Army received? (2.3.4)
- A.
Orville Wright
- B.
The Wright Brothers
- C.
Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge
- D.
Lieutenant Benjamin D. Foulois
Correct Answer
D. Lieutenant Benjamin D. FouloisExplanation
The airplane and division were moved from Fort Myer, Virginia to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas in the fall of 1909. Foulois taught himself to fly and used his own salary to keep up the repairs of the plane. (2.3.4, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 13.
Who was the first individual to die in an accident in a military aircraft? (2.3.5)
- A.
Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge
- B.
Corporal Frank Scott
- C.
Orville Wright
- D.
Lieutenant Benjamin D. Foulois
Correct Answer
B. Corporal Frank ScottExplanation
On 28 September 1912, Scott was flying as a passenger when the aircraft's pilot lost control and crashed. Scott Air Force Base, Illinois (Formerly, Scott Field) was named after him. (Para 2.3.5, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 14.
When was the 1st Aero Squadron (Provisional) activated? (2.3.5)
- A.
5 March 1913
- B.
October 1912
- C.
28 September 1912
- D.
18 July 1914
Correct Answer
A. 5 March 1913Explanation
1st Aero SquadronRate this question:
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- 15.
When did the U.S. House Resolution 5304 pass allowing the U.S. Army Signal Corps to receive official status? (2.4.1)
- A.
18 July 1914
- B.
March 1916
- C.
February 1917
- D.
October 1912
Correct Answer
A. 18 July 1914Explanation
This resolution authorized the Signal Corps to establish an aviation section consisting of 60 officers and 260 enlisted men. (Para 2.4.1, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 16.
When was the second aero squadron created? (2.5.2)
- A.
1914
- B.
1916
- C.
1917
- D.
1915
Correct Answer
B. 1916Explanation
This second aero squadron was assigned to duty in the Philippine Islands. (Para 2.5.2, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 17.
What were the two largest special schools and technical institutions that began training mechanics and others by the end of 1917? (2.5.4)
- A.
St Paul, MN
- B.
San Antonio, TX
- C.
Kelly Field, TX
- D.
Kitty Hawk, NC
Correct Answer(s)
A. St Paul, MN
C. Kelly Field, TXExplanation
St Paul, MN and Kelly Field, TX were the two largest special schools and technical institutions that began training mechanics and others by the end of 1917.Rate this question:
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- 18.
What Defense Act authorized the training of enlisted aviators? (2.5.5)
- A.
National Defense Act of 1916
- B.
National Defense Act of 1915
- C.
National Defense Act of 1917
- D.
National Defense Act of 1914
Correct Answer
A. National Defense Act of 1916Explanation
Despite the enactment of this act, institutional bias limited the number of enlisted pilots before the United States entered the war. (Para 2.5.5, AFPAM 36-2241)Rate this question:
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- 19.
Who was known as the "Father of Blind Flight"? (2.5.5)
- A.
Sergeant William C. Ocker
- B.
Private First Class Vernon Burge
- C.
General Billy Mitchell
- D.
Corporal Eugene Bullard
Correct Answer
A. Sergeant William C. OckerExplanation
Sergeant Ocker was commissioned in January 1917 and commanded a flight school in Pennsylvania. He also flight-tested modified aircraft, served as a flight instructor and was hand-picked by General Billy Mitchell to scout land parcels near the Potomac River to serve as airfields. (Para 2.5.5, AFPAM 33-2241)Rate this question:
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