FAA PGT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Gyroplane/Recreational Pilot - Transition

Under 14 CFR Part 61, what is one of the primary operational limitations imposed on a certificated Recreational Pilot that is removed upon earning a Private Pilot Certificate with a Gyroplane rating?

• AOperating an aircraft during daytime hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
• BCarrying more than one passenger and operating at night
• CFlying an aircraft equipped with a fixed pitch rotor system
• DOperating in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL

To act as pilot in command of a gyroplane carrying passengers at night, what recent flight experience must a Private Pilot log under 14 CFR § 61.57?

• AAt least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop at night in a gyroplane within the prec…
• BAt least 5 takeoffs and 5 touch-and-go landings at night in any rotorcraft within the pre…
• CAt least 3 hours of night instrument time in a gyroplane within the preceding 6 calendar…
• DAt least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop during day or night in a gyroplane with…

For the purpose of logging night flight time to meet Private Pilot certification requirements, how is 'night' defined under 14 CFR Part 1?

• AThe period between official sunset and official sunrise
• BThe time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twi…
• CThe period between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise
• DThe hours between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise

What minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance are required for a Private Pilot operating a gyroplane under VFR at night in Class G airspace below 10,000 feet MSL?

• A3 statute miles visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal f…
• B1 statute mile visibility; clear of clouds
• C5 statute miles visibility; 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 1 statute mile horizo…
• D3 statute miles visibility; clear of clouds

According to 14 CFR § 91.151, what is the minimum required fuel reserve for a gyroplane operating under VFR during daytime conditions?

• AEnough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and thereafter for at least 20…
• BEnough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and thereafter for at least 45…
• CEnough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and thereafter for at least 30…
• DEnough fuel to reach the destination plus a 15-minute reserve at landing configuration po…

Under 14 CFR § 91.151, what is the minimum required fuel reserve for a gyroplane operating under VFR at night?

• A20 minutes at normal cruising speed after reaching the first point of intended landing, t…
• B30 minutes at normal cruising speed after reaching the first point of intended landing
• C45 minutes at normal cruising speed after reaching the first point of intended landing
• D60 minutes at normal cruising speed after reaching the alternate airport

What action is required of a private pilot operating a gyroplane when entering Class C airspace under VFR?

• AEstablish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing air traffic servic…
• BObtain an explicit clearance stating 'Cleared to enter Class C airspace' prior to entering
• CFile an IFR flight plan and hold an instrument rating
• DMaintain a minimum altitude of 2,500 feet AGL while traversing the inner surface area

In Class B airspace, what specific ATC instruction must a Private Pilot receive before crossing the boundary line under VFR?

• AAn explicit clearance stating 'Cleared to enter Class B airspace'
• BA radar vector and altimeter setting from approach control
• CAn acknowledgment of the aircraft tail number without restriction
• DA transponder squawk code assignment with no further radio response required

What equipment is required under 14 CFR § 91.215 and § 91.225 when operating a gyroplane within 30 nautical miles of a Class B primary airport, from the surface up to 10,000 feet MSL?

• AAn operable Mode C transponder and ADS-B Out equipment
• BAn operable VOR receiver and two independent VHF radios
• CA radar altimeter and an autopilot system
• DA dual ignition engine with carb heat temperature gauge

During a cross-country flight in a gyroplane, a private pilot encounters worsening weather conditions. Under 14 CFR § 91.155, what are the basic VFR weather minimums in Class D airspace?

• A3 statute miles visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal d…
• B1 statute mile visibility; clear of clouds
• C5 statute miles visibility; 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 1 statute mile horizo…
• D3 statute miles visibility; clear of clouds

What condition must be met to perform a Special VFR (SVFR) operation in a gyroplane within Class D surface airspace at night under 14 CFR § 91.157?

• AThe pilot must hold an instrument rating and the gyroplane must be equipped for IFR flight
• BThe pilot needs only a private pilot certificate and 1 statute mile visibility
• CThe ceiling must be at least 1,500 feet AGL and visibility at least 3 statute miles
• DNo special VFR operations are allowed at night under any circumstances for rotorcraft

Under 14 CFR § 61.56, what is required for a Private Pilot to continue acting as pilot in command of a gyroplane?

• ACompletion of a flight review consisting of at least 1 hour of ground training and 1 hour…
• BPassing an FAA knowledge test in gyroplane aerodynamics every 12 calendar months
• CLogging at least 50 hours of flight time in a gyroplane during the preceding calendar year
• DCompleting a checkride with an FAA examiner every 36 calendar months

Under 14 CFR § 91.209, during what period must a gyroplane's position (navigation) lights be turned on while operating?

• AFrom sunset to sunrise
• BFrom the end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight
• CFrom 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise
• DWhenever visibility drops below 5 statute miles

What is the oxygen requirement under 14 CFR § 91.211 for required minimum flight crew members in an unpressurized gyroplane during flight at cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet MSL up to and including 14,000 feet MSL?

• ASupplemental oxygen must be provided to and used by crew members for that part of the fli…
• BSupplemental oxygen must be used continuously by crew members at all times above 12,500 f…
• CSupplemental oxygen must be provided to all occupants on board continuously regardless of…
• DNo supplemental oxygen is required unless operating above 15,000 feet MSL

Which of the following maintenance activities may a Private Pilot perform on a gyroplane under 14 CFR Part 43, Appendix A?

• AReplenishing hydraulic fluid, changing engine oil, and replacing landing gear tires
• BReplacing worn main rotor hub teeter bolts and balancing rotor blades
• CPerforming a 100-hour inspection on the engine and drive system
• DOverhauling the engine carburetor and magnetos

What is the maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) permitted for a pilot acting as crewmember of a gyroplane under 14 CFR § 91.17?

• A0.04 percent by weight or more
• B0.08 percent by weight or more
• C0.02 percent by weight or more
• D0.10 percent by weight or more

Under 14 CFR § 91.409, when is a gyroplane required to undergo a 100-hour inspection in addition to an annual inspection?

• AWhen carried for hire or when giving flight instruction for hire
• BWhenever flown at night carrying passengers for personal travel
• CWhen operated on cross-country flights exceeding 100 nautical miles
• DWhenever the aircraft is flown in controlled airspace Class B, C, or D

A steady red light signal directed from the control tower to an aircraft in flight signifies which of the following?

• AGive way to other aircraft and continue circling
• BAirport unsafe, do not land
• CCleared to land
• DReturn for landing (to be followed by steady green at proper time)

A flashing red light signal from the control tower to an aircraft on the ground means:

• ATaxi clear of the runway in use
• BStop immediately
• CCleared to taxi
• DReturn to starting point on airport

What document must be visibly displayed or carried on board a gyroplane during all flight operations pursuant to 14 CFR § 91.203?

• AAirworthiness Certificate and Registration Certificate
• BPilot Logbook and Medical Certificate on the instrument panel
• CEngine Overhaul Logbook and Manufacturer Certificate
• DFlight Instructor Endorsement letter and Bill of Sale

Under 14 CFR § 91.207, how often must an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) battery be replaced or recharged?

• AWhen the transmitter has been in use for more than 1 cumulative hour or when 50 percent o…
• BEvery 12 calendar months during the annual inspection
• CAfter every emergency landing or hard touchdown
• DEvery 24 calendar months regardless of cumulative use

If an un-operated gyroplane's transponder is tested and inspected, how long is that transponder inspection valid under 14 CFR § 91.413?

• A24 calendar months
• B12 calendar months
• C36 calendar months
• D100 hours of time in service

Which category of airspace extends from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including FL 600 across the contiguous United States?

• AClass A airspace
• BClass B airspace
• CClass C airspace
• DClass E airspace

When operating VFR at altitudes above 3,000 feet AGL up to 18,000 feet MSL on a magnetic course of 180 degrees, what altitude should a private pilot select according to hemispheric VFR cruising altitude rules?

• AEven thousand-foot altitude plus 500 feet (e.g., 4,500, 6,500 MSL)
• BOdd thousand-foot altitude plus 500 feet (e.g., 3,500, 5,500 MSL)
• CAny even thousand-foot MSL altitude (e.g., 4,000, 6,000 MSL)
• DAny altitude agreed upon with flight service without offset

What requirement applies to a private pilot attempting to fly a gyroplane into Class E airspace extending upward from 700 feet AGL around an airport with no operational control tower during day VFR?

• AMaintain at least 3 statute miles visibility and cloud clearance of 500 feet below, 1,000…
• BObtain two-way radio clearance from the nearest ARTCC prior to descending into 700 feet A…
• CEquip the gyroplane with ADS-B In and Out and establish radio contact on UNICOM
• DMaintain 1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds provided airspeed is below 80 KIAS

In a gyroplane in steady unpowered autorotational flight, what force drives the main rotor blades to maintain rotation?

• AUpward airflow through the rotor disc created by the forward motion and descent of the ai…
• BEngine torque transmitted through a freewheeling clutch unit
• CDownward air downwash generated by propeller slipstream behind the engine
• DCentrifugal force acting outward along the blade longitudinal axis

When examining a gyroplane rotor blade during autorotational flight, into what three distinct spanwise aerodynamic regions is the rotor blade divided?

• ADriven region (outer), driving region (middle), and stall region (inner)
• BDriving region (outer), driven region (middle), and root region (inner)
• CStall region (outer), driving region (middle), and driven region (inner)
• DHigh-speed region (outer), lift region (middle), and autorotation region (inner)

What is the primary function of the driving (autorotative) region of a gyroplane rotor blade?

• ATo produce aerodynamic force vectors inclined forward of the axis of rotation, overcoming…
• BTo produce total lift while generating negative rotor RPM drag
• CTo prevent tip stall by maintaining a zero angle of attack
• DTo absorb engine torque during high-power steep turns

What phenomenon causes a gyroplane rotor system to experience 'blade flap-back' during forward acceleration on takeoff roll?

• ADissymmetry of lift between the advancing blade and retreating blade causing the advancin…
• BRotor blade root stalling due to excessive pre-rotation RPM
• CEngine propeller wash pushing against the underside of the trailing edge of the rotor disc
• DGyroscopic precession acting 180 degrees opposite to the cyclic stick input

What dangerous condition can occur in a gyroplane if the rotor system experiences a zero-G or low-G flight condition, particularly in high thrust line designs?

• APower Push-Over (PPO) or mast bumping due to sudden loss of rotor thrust and cyclic contr…
• BImmediate overspeed of the rotor blades leading to structural failure of the engine drive…
• CRotor blade freezing due to loss of friction heat
• DSudden pitch-up attitude resulting in an unrecoverable tail slide

What is the recommended immediate pilot action if a gyroplane accidentally enters a low-G condition during flight?

• AGently pull back on the cyclic control to reload the rotor disc with positive G-force
• BPush forward aggressively on the cyclic control to increase airspeed
• CApply full rudder to turn out of the turbulence while reducing throttle to idle
• DEngage the mechanical pre-rotator to restore main rotor RPM

How does an increase in aircraft gross weight affect the equilibrium rotor RPM of a gyroplane in level flight?

• ARotor RPM increases to generate the additional total lift required to support the heavier…
• BRotor RPM decreases because heavier weight increases blade pitch drag
• CRotor RPM remains completely unchanged regardless of aircraft weight
• DRotor RPM fluctuates wildly requiring manual rotor governor adjustments

During a steep turn maneuver in a gyroplane, how does G-loading affect main rotor RPM?

• AIncreased load factor (G-force) increases upward airflow through the rotor disc, causing…
• BIncreased load factor causes the rotor blades to stall and rotor RPM to drop rapidly
• CMain rotor RPM decreases proportionally to the bank angle
• DMain rotor RPM remains constant because the engine governor maintains constant tip speed

What is 'ground effect' in a gyroplane, and how does it affect landing performance?

• AA reduction in induced drag and downwash when operating within one rotor diameter of the…
• BAn increase in rotor blade drag causing an immediate drop in rotor RPM upon flare
• CA cushion of high pressure generated solely by the engine pusher propeller against the ru…
• DAn instability in yaw caused by ground surface friction against the nosewheel

What condition causes 'retreating blade stall' in a gyroplane operating at high forward airspeeds?

• AThe retreating blade operates at a high angle of attack to compensate for lower relative…
• BThe advancing blade moves faster than the speed of sound, causing a shock wave that stall…
• CThe engine RPM drops below idle during a high-speed dive
• DThe mechanical pre-rotator locks up the teeter hinge

What are the typical flight characteristics associated with the onset of retreating blade stall in a gyroplane?

• ARotor vibration accompanied by a pitch-up nose tendency and a roll toward the retreating…
• BRapid nose-down pitching moment and violent right turn
• CSudden increase in main rotor RPM with loss of rudder control
• DComplete loss of engine power and high-frequency propeller buzz

In gyroplane design, what is a High Thrust Line (HTL) configuration?

• AA configuration where the propeller thrust vector passes above the aircraft center of gra…
• BA configuration where the rotor head is mounted higher than 10 feet above the keel
• CA design where the engine exhaust is directed upward toward the rotor head
• DA design where the propeller thrust vector passes below the center of gravity

Why is a large, properly positioned horizontal stabilizer critical on a gyroplane, particularly those with a High Thrust Line (HTL)?

• AIt provides pitch damping and aerodynamic downforce to counteract pitch instability and p…
• BIt increases maximum rotor pre-rotation RPM prior to takeoff roll
• CIt eliminates the need for rudder pedals during crosswind landings
• DIt balances lateral weight imbalances between left and right fuel tanks

During a vertical autorotational descent (zero forward airspeed) in a gyroplane, how does the glide path and descent rate compare to a normal forward airspeed autorotation?

• AVertical descent has a much higher rate of descent and a 90-degree steep path with no tou…
• BVertical descent provides the minimum rate of descent and longest glide distance
• CVertical descent increases main rotor RPM beyond redline limits
• DVertical descent requires continuous application of full engine power

What is 'Pilot-Induced Oscillation' (PIO) in pitch in a gyroplane, and what is the proper recovery technique?

• AInadvertent over-controlling of cyclic pitch out of phase with aircraft motion; recover b…
• BRotor blade tracking imbalance; recover by applying full left rudder
• CEngine surge caused by carburetor icing; recover by pulling carb heat on
• DTailwheel shimmy during high-speed landing roll; recover by pulling back full cyclic

What role does the pre-rotator perform on a gyroplane prior to takeoff?

• ASpins the main rotor up to a safe minimum RPM on the ground to reduce takeoff ground roll…
• BDrives the rotor continuously throughout takeoff and climb to provide extra lift
• CMaintains constant engine idle RPM while taxiing
• DAutomatically trims the tail rotor to counteract engine torque

If a pilot attempts a takeoff roll in a gyroplane with insufficient rotor RPM (before proper pre-rotation or aerodynamic spin-up), what hazard can occur?

• ASevere blade flapping and blade sailing, which can strike the ground, tail boom, or prope…
• BImmediate catastrophic engine overspeed
• CRotor blade lockup causing the airframe to spin on the main landing gear
• DSpontaneous transition into vertical climb without control input

How does a gyroplane pilot control pitch and roll during flight?

• ABy moving the cyclic control stick to tilt the main rotor disc in the desired direction o…
• BBy adjusting differential collective pitch on individual rotor blades
• CBy operating a tail elevator and wing ailerons attached to the fuselage
• DBy altering engine thrust vectors using a movable propeller nozzle

How is directional (yaw) control maintained in a gyroplane?

• ABy conventional rudder pedals connected to a vertical stabilizer/rudder placed in the pro…
• BBy anti-torque tail rotor pedals similar to a helicopter
• CBy differential braking on the main rotor hub
• DBy tilting the rotor head laterally using the collective lever

What aerodynamic effect occurs when a gyroplane's airspeed increases while maintaining constant engine power?

• ATotal rotor drag increases, requiring higher rotor angle of attack and resulting in an in…
• BMain rotor RPM drops to zero due to high speed airflow
• CRotor disc angle of attack automatically flattens, reducing rotor RPM to idle levels
• DThe aircraft experiences negative G-forces and nose-up pitching uncontrollably

During a landing flare in a gyroplane, what happens to rotor RPM as cyclic stick is pulled back to cushion the touchdown?

• ARotor RPM increases temporarily due to increased angle of attack and upward airflow throu…
• BRotor RPM rapidly drops because aft stick increases mechanical rotor brake pressure
• CRotor RPM remains completely static
• DRotor RPM decays instantly, causing the gyroplane to drop onto the runway

Why is a gyroplane incapable of aerodynamic wing stall in the conventional fixed-wing sense?

• ABecause the main rotor blades are constantly autorotating independently of fuselage forwa…
• BBecause the pusher propeller creates continuous suction over the rotor hub
• CBecause gyroplanes operate exclusively inside ground effect
• DBecause the flexible rotor mast absorbs all stall buffet vibrations