FAA HFA Knowledge Test — Flight Instructor Helicopter (Added Rating)

Under 14 CFR Part 61, a certificated flight instructor holding a rotorcraft-helicopter category rating may conduct flight instruction in a helicopter only if the instructor holds at least which pilot certificate category and class rating?

• AA Commercial Pilot Certificate or Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-H…
• BA Private Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and 100 hours of cross-co…
• CAn Instrument Rating - Helicopter and at least 50 hours of night helicopter flight time
• DA Sport Pilot Certificate with a gyroplane endorsement

According to 14 CFR 61.195, what is the maximum number of hours of flight instruction a certificated flight instructor may conduct in any 24-consecutive-hour period?

• A8 hours
• B10 hours
• C6 hours
• D12 hours

To endorse a student pilot for initial solo flight in a specific make and model of helicopter, the flight instructor must ensure the student has completed the required pre-solo flight training under 14 CFR 61.87 and that the solo endorsement is valid for no more than:

• A90 calendar days
• B60 calendar days
• C120 calendar days
• D30 calendar days

Under 14 CFR 61.189, how long must a flight instructor retain records of all solo flight endorsements given to student pilots and endorsed practical test recommendations?

• A3 years
• B2 years
• C5 years
• D1 year

Which of the following establishes the recent experience that 14 CFR § 61.197 requires before an instructor may exercise flight instructor privileges?

• APassing a practical test for one of the ratings on the instructor certificate, or complet…
• BLogging 50 hours of dual instruction given during the preceding 12 months without taking…
• CConducting 5 student pilot solo flights in a helicopter without any formal refresher cour…
• DSubmitting an application to the FSDO demonstrating 10 hours of instrument training

More than 3 calendar months have passed since the last month of a helicopter instructor's recent experience period. How may that instructor reinstate flight instructor privileges under 14 CFR § 61.199?

• ABy passing a flight instructor practical test for one of the ratings on the expired certi…
• BBy completing an online FIRC course within 30 days after expiration
• CBy performing 10 hours of ground instruction under the supervision of a Chief Instructor
• DBy retaking the FAA HFA Knowledge Test only

Under 14 CFR 91.155, what are the day VFR weather minimums for a helicopter operating in Class G airspace at 1,200 feet AGL or less?

• A1/2 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds, provided the helicopter is operated at a…
• B3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal f…
• C1 statute mile visibility and 1,000 feet ceiling
• D5 statute miles visibility and clear of clouds at all times

What special provision applies to helicopters regarding Special VFR (SVFR) operations under 14 CFR 91.157 compared to fixed-wing aircraft?

• AHelicopters operating under Special VFR do not require an instrument rating or an instrum…
• BHelicopters require a minimum of 1 statute mile visibility and an instrument rating at al…
• CHelicopters are completely prohibited from conducting SVFR operations between sunset and…
• DHelicopters must maintain at least 1,000 feet AGL altitude during all SVFR operations

Under SFAR No. 73 to 14 CFR Part 61, what is required before a flight instructor may give flight instruction in a Robinson R22 or R44 helicopter?

• ACompletion of specific pilot-in-command dual instruction, awareness training, minimum fli…
• BOnly a standard CFI Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating with no additional make-and-model flight…
• CAt least 500 hours of turbine helicopter flight time and a Part 135 checkride
• DA factory-sponsored maintenance rating for Robinson drive systems

Under 14 CFR 91.151(b), what is the minimum day VFR fuel reserve requirement for a rotorcraft?

• AEnough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, considering wind and forec…
• BEnough fuel to fly to destination plus 30 minutes at normal cruising speed
• CEnough fuel to fly to destination plus 45 minutes at economy cruise speed
• DEnough fuel to fly to destination and an alternate airport plus 20 minutes

Before endorsing a student pilot for solo cross-country flight in a helicopter under 14 CFR 61.93, the flight instructor must ensure the student has received cross-country flight training that includes:

• ANavigation using aeronautical charts, dead reckoning, pilotage, radio aids, and helicopte…
• BA minimum of 50 hours of night cross-country instrument flight time
• CFormation flying and slope landing procedures in Class B airspace
• DHigh-altitude mountain flying above 12,000 feet MSL

Under 14 CFR 61.56, how does passing a practical test for an additional flight instructor rating (such as Rotorcraft-Helicopter) affect the flight review requirement?

• AIt satisfies the requirement for a flight review for the 24-calendar-month period followi…
• BIt satisfies the flight review requirement only if at least 5 hours of night flight were…
• CIt does not satisfy the flight review requirement; a separate Part 61.56 flight review is…
• DIt satisfies the flight review requirement for 12 calendar months only

What exception does 14 CFR 91.119 grant to helicopters regarding minimum safe altitudes over congested areas?

• AHelicopters may be operated at less than the minimum altitudes prescribed for airplanes,…
• BHelicopters are exempt from all altitude rules and may hover over any crowd of people at…
• CHelicopters may fly below 500 feet over congested areas only if carrying a twin-engine ai…
• DHelicopters must maintain at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 fee…

When preparing a applicant for a Commercial Pilot Certificate practical test in a rotorcraft-helicopter, the flight instructor must certify that the applicant has logged how many minimum hours of flight time under 14 CFR 61.129(c)?

• A150 hours of flight time as a pilot, including 100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 hours in…
• B250 hours of total flight time with 100 hours of multi-engine turbine time
• C100 hours of total flight time with 25 hours of night solo flight
• D200 hours of helicopter flight time all logged in instrument meteorological conditions

Under 14 CFR 61.109(c), an applicant for a Private Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating must log at least how many total hours of flight time?

• A40 hours of flight time, including 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instruc…
• B50 hours of flight time, including 30 hours of dual instruction
• C35 hours of total time all conducted under Part 141 approved syllabus
• D60 hours of total flight time with 15 hours of night instruction

A flight instructor endorsing an applicant for an FAA practical test under 14 CFR 61.39 must certify that the applicant has received the required training within how many calendar months preceding the month of the test?

• A2 calendar months
• B3 calendar months
• C6 calendar months
• D1 calendar month

Under 14 CFR 61.195(k), what are the prerequisites for a flight instructor to conduct Night Vision Goggle (NVG) flight training in a helicopter?

• AThe instructor must hold a pilot certificate with an NVG rating/qualification, be current…
• BThe instructor needs only a standard CFI-H rating with 10 hours of total night flight
• CThe instructor must hold a Part 135 air ambulance chief pilot designation
• DThe instructor must complete a 100-hour military NVG conversion course only

May a flight instructor evaluate and endorse a student pilot for initial solo cross-country flight if the instructor did not conduct the actual cross-country flight training with that student?

• AYes, provided the instructor reviews the student's preflight planning, verifies complianc…
• BNo, the flight instructor who signed the initial solo endorsement must personally conduct…
• CYes, but only if approved in writing by the local FSDO Principal Operations Inspector
• DNo, only a Chief Flight Instructor under Part 141 may endorse cross-country flights

To give instrument flight instruction required for an Instrument-Helicopter rating under 14 CFR Part 61, the flight instructor must hold:

• AA Flight Instructor Certificate with an Instrument-Rotorcraft rating
• BA standard CFI-H rating with at least 10 hours of actual IMC flight time
• CA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument rating without a flight instructor certifi…
• DAn Airline Transport Pilot Certificate in any aircraft category

Which statement is correct regarding Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) requirements for rotorcraft under 14 CFR 91.207?

• ARotorcraft are completely exempt from the requirement to carry an ELT
• BRotorcraft must carry an operational ELT on all flights beyond 50 nautical miles from the…
• CRotorcraft require an ELT only when operating at night or over water
• DRotorcraft must have an ELT installed unless conducting dual flight instruction

When operating a helicopter in Class B airspace under VFR, what is the minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance requirement under 14 CFR 91.155?

• A3 statute miles visibility and clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal from…
• C1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds
• D5 statute miles visibility and 1,000 feet cloud separation

According to 14 CFR 61.189, what details must a flight instructor include when signing a pilot logbook entry for flight training given?

• AThe instructor's signature, flight instructor certificate number, and certificate expirat…
• BOnly the instructor's printed name and pilot certificate number
• CThe instructor's social security number, home address, and CFI expiration date
• DThe FSDO office location and FAA Inspector signature

Which endorsement is required under 14 CFR 61.31(g) before a pilot may act as pilot-in-command of a pressurized aircraft that has a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude above 25,000 feet MSL?

• AHigh-altitude endorsement proving ground and flight training in high-altitude aerodynamic…
• BHigh-performance aircraft endorsement for engines exceeding 200 horsepower
• CComplex aircraft endorsement for retractable gear and controllable pitch prop
• DTailwheel aircraft endorsement certified by a DPE

Can a flight instructor conduct flight training with a student pilot operating under BasicMed rules for initial solo flight?

• AYes, student pilots may operate under BasicMed provided they meet all BasicMed requiremen…
• BNo, student pilots must hold a First Class FAA Medical Certificate for all solo operations
• CNo, BasicMed applies only to Commercial Pilots carrying passengers
• DYes, but only if the flight instructor holds an ATP certificate

Under 14 CFR 91.211, what are the supplemental oxygen requirements for flight crews operating an unpressurized helicopter at cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet MSL up to and including 14,000 feet MSL?

• ARequired for the minimum flight crew for that part of the flight at those altitudes that…
• BRequired for all crew members continuously for the entire duration above 12,500 feet MSL
• CRequired for passengers only if altitude exceeds 13,000 feet MSL
• DNot required for rotorcraft operations below 15,000 feet MSL

Prior to a student pilot's first solo flight in a helicopter, what specific action must the flight instructor take regarding the aircraft equipment and operating limitations?

• AEnsure the student is familiar with the FAA-approved Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM), oper…
• BFulfill a 10-hour night flight dual training requirement with night vision goggles
• CObtain written clearance from ATC for all local solo hover operations
• DConduct a solo cross-country flight recommendation checkride with a DPE

Under 14 CFR 91.303, aerobatic flight is prohibited in which of the following areas?

• AOver any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, over an open-air assembly of pers…
• BOnly above 10,000 feet MSL in Class G airspace
• COnly over body of water within 3 miles of shoreline
• DWithin 10 nautical miles of any federal airway above 1,500 feet AGL

If an applicant fails a practical test for a rotorcraft-helicopter pilot certificate, what must the flight instructor do before endorsing the applicant for a retest under 14 CFR 61.49?

• AProvide the applicant with necessary additional training in the areas of deficiency and s…
• BWait at least 30 calendar days before conducting any flight training
• CFile a formal appeal with the FAA Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City
• DRequire the applicant to retake the written FAA knowledge test

When teaching preflight and shutdown procedures, why must a flight instructor emphasize proper main rotor droop-stop engagement during rotor coast-down?

• ATo prevent main rotor blade flap at low RPM from contacting the tail boom or fuselage und…
• BTo ensure the tail rotor drive shaft remains permanently locked to the main transmission
• CTo prevent governor failure during subsequent engine startup
• DTo disengage the centrifugal clutch automatically

A certificated flight instructor with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating may endorse a student for solo flight in a multi-engine turbine helicopter only if the instructor:

• AHolds a multi-engine rating on their flight instructor certificate or meets specific cate…
• BHolds an ATP single-engine piston rating only
• CHas logged at least 5 hours of solo hover time in a gyroplane
• DObtains a letter of authorization from the helicopter manufacturer

In forward helicopter flight, how does the main rotor system naturally compensate for dissymmetry of lift between the advancing blade and retreating blade?

• AThrough blade flapping: the advancing blade experiences increased relative wind, increase…
• BThrough cyclic feathering commanded manually by the pilot at all times
• CBy increasing tail rotor thrust on the advancing side and reducing it on the retreating s…
• DBy pitch-cone coupling that freezes blade movement at high airspeed

When teaching the effect of gyroscopic precession and phase lag on main rotor control, an instructor explains that an upward force applied to a rotating main rotor disk at the 90-degree position (3 o'clock position) results in maximum displacement occurring at which position?

• AAt the 180-degree position (6 o'clock position, aft)
• BAt the 90-degree position (3 o'clock position, right)
• CAt the 270-degree position (9 o'clock position, left)
• DAt the 360-degree position (12 o'clock position, forward)

What aerodynamic phenomenon occurs as a helicopter accelerates through approximately 16 to 24 knots in forward flight?

• AEffective Translational Lift (ETL), caused by the main rotor disk outrunning its own indu…
• BTransverse flow effect, which causes the aircraft to pitch down abruptly and roll left
• CVortex ring state, causing a sudden loss of collective control authority
• DRetreating blade stall due to excessive blade angle of attack

During transition to forward flight between 10 and 20 knots, transverse flow effect produces a distinct right roll and vibration. What causes this aerodynamic reaction?

• AIncreased downwash in the aft half of the rotor disk causes reduced angle of attack and l…
• BThe advancing blade produces less lift than the retreating blade at low speeds
• CTail rotor blockage from the main transmission housing
• DCentrifugal force overwhelming the rotor blade lead-lag dampers

Which set of conditions must simultaneously exist for a helicopter to enter Vortex Ring State (Settling With Power)?

• AVertical or near-vertical descent rate of at least 300 FPM, slow forward airspeed (below…
• BHigh forward airspeed above Vne, steep bank angle above 45 degrees, and low engine RPM
• CAutorotative descent at 1,500 FPM with zero engine power applied
• DHovering in a 20-knot headwind at sea level density altitude

When instructing a student on Vortex Ring State recovery methods, how does the Vuichard Recovery Technique differ from the traditional recovery method?

• AThe Vuichard technique applies cyclic to the right (with left pedal to maintain heading)…
• BThe Vuichard technique lowers collective to the bottom stop, pushes forward cyclic aggres…
• CThe Vuichard technique enters a full autorotation by pulling the mixture control to idle…
• DThe Vuichard technique applies full left cyclic and left pedal while pulling maximum aft…

During a steady-state autorotative descent, which three aerodynamic regions exist along the length of a main rotor blade from hub to tip?

• ADriven region (outer blade tip), driving region (middle blade section), and stall region…
• BLaminar region, turbulent region, and supersonic shock region
• CConing region, flapping region, and lead-lag region
• DPrecession region, translation region, and ground effect region

What aerodynamic effect occurs during the flare phase at the end of an autorotative descent when cyclic is moved aft?

• AAft cyclic increases the angle of attack of the rotor disk relative to airflow, increasin…
• BAft cyclic decreases rotor RPM rapidly, requiring immediate lowering of the collective
• CAft cyclic causes immediate retreating blade stall and catastrophic rotor decay
• DAft cyclic neutralizes tail rotor authority, causing an uncommanded right spin

Dynamic rollover in a helicopter requires which three critical elements to occur simultaneously?

• AA pivot point (skid/wheel contact), rolling moment exceeding critical rollover angle, and…
• BVortex ring state, high density altitude, and tail rotor failure
• CMast bumping, low-G pushover, and aft center of gravity
• DRetreating blade stall, high gross weight, and engine overspeed

In a semi-rigid teetering rotor system, what flight maneuver can lead to low-G condition and rapid mast bumping if corrected improperly?

• AAbrupt forward cyclic push-over from a steep climb, reducing rotor thrust and causing los…
• BFull collective pull from an out-of-ground-effect hover
• CSteep turn with 60 degrees bank angle under heavy load
• DSlow hover taxi with tailwind component

What aerodynamic phenomenon limits the maximum forward speed (Vne) of a helicopter, and what are its primary symptoms?

• ARetreating blade stall; characterized by low-frequency rotor vibration, pitch-up tendency…
• BTransverse flow effect; causing rapid left yaw and engine overspeed
• CCompressibility stall on the advancing tip; causing nose-down pitching and right roll
• DGround effect cushion collapse; causing sudden altitude gain

Why does hovering in ground effect (HIGE) require less engine power than hovering out of ground effect (HOGE)?

• AThe proximity of the ground surface restricts the formation of rotor tip vortices and red…
• BGround effect increases tail rotor efficiency by 50 percent
• CGround effect increases engine intake manifold pressure naturally
• DGround effect eliminates all blade flapping and lead-lag movements

Rotor blade coning angle is determined by the balance between which two opposing forces?

• ALift force (acting upward) and centrifugal force (acting outward from rotor hub)
• BGravity force (acting downward) and parasite drag (acting backward)
• CTail rotor thrust and engine torque
• DGyroscopic precession and coriolis force

How does the Coriolis effect affect a main rotor blade as it flaps upward during rotation?

• AAs the blade flaps up, its center of mass moves closer to the axis of rotation, causing t…
• BAs the blade flaps up, its center of mass moves farther from the axis, causing it to dece…
• CAs the blade flaps up, centrifugal force drops to zero instantly
• DAs the blade flaps up, its angle of attack doubles automatically

What is translating tendency (drift) in a single-rotor helicopter, and how is it compensated for by design or pilot control?

• AThe tendency of the helicopter to drift laterally in the direction of tail rotor thrust (…
• BThe tendency of the helicopter to pitch up during acceleration
• CThe tendency of the rotor disk to tilt backward during hover
• DThe tendency of the helicopter to turn right when collective is lowered

When explaining the Height-Velocity (H-V) Diagram (Dead Man's Curve) to a student, what do the shaded areas of the chart represent?

• ACombinations of airspeed and altitude above ground level from which a safe autorotative l…
• BMaximum airspeed limits for steep turn maneuvers
• CAltitudes where vortex ring state is physically impossible
• DPermissible flight regimes for overweight hover operations

What is Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE), and what environmental or operational factor significantly increases its susceptibility in main-rotor counterclockwise helicopters?

• AAn uncommanded rapid yaw rate caused by aerodynamic interference rather than mechanical f…
• BA mechanical shear pin breakage in the tail rotor gear box
• CLoss of main rotor RPM caused by engine governor failure
• DHydraulic power steering pump cavitation