FAA PHT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Helicopter/Recreational Pilot - Transition

Under 14 CFR Part 61, what is the minimum category and class rating required on an applicant's Recreational Pilot Certificate before attempting the Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Knowledge Test (PHT)?

• ARotorcraft Category with a Helicopter Class Rating
• BAny Powered Aircraft Category Rating
• CAirplane Single-Engine Land Category Rating
• DGlider Category Rating

To exercise the privileges of a Private Pilot Certificate in a helicopter, what is the minimum FAA medical certificate required for a 35-year-old pilot, and how long does it remain valid for private pilot privileges?

• AThird-Class Medical Certificate, valid for 60 calendar months
• BThird-Class Medical Certificate, valid for 24 calendar months
• CSecond-Class Medical Certificate, valid for 12 calendar months
• DBasicMed declaration, valid for 12 calendar months

Under 14 CFR § 91.209, during what period must position lights be turned on when operating a helicopter?

• AFrom sunset to sunrise
• BFrom 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise
• CFrom end of evening civil twilight to beginning of morning civil twilight
• DWhenever visibility is less than 3 statute miles

What is the minimum VFR fuel reserve requirement under 14 CFR § 91.151 for a helicopter flying during daytime conditions?

• A20 minutes at normal cruising speed
• B30 minutes at normal cruising speed
• C45 minutes at normal cruising speed
• D15 minutes at normal cruising speed

Under 14 CFR § 91.151(b), what is the minimum VFR fuel reserve required for a rotorcraft operating at night?

• A30 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
• B20 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
• C45 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
• D60 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed

To carry passengers at night as a Private Pilot Helicopter, 14 CFR § 61.57(b) requires that within the preceding 90 days, the pilot must have logged at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop in a helicopter during what specific time period?

• ABetween 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise
• BFrom sunset to sunrise
• CBetween evening civil twilight and morning civil twilight
• DDuring official dark night hours declared by ATC

According to 14 CFR § 91.17, what is the maximum permissible blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for any person acting as a crewmember of a helicopter?

• A0.04 percent by weight
• B0.08 percent by weight
• C0.02 percent by weight
• D0.00 percent by weight

What is the minimum elapsed time required by 14 CFR § 91.17 between the consumption of any alcoholic beverage and acting as a pilot in command of a helicopter?

• A8 hours
• B12 hours
• C24 hours
• D4 hours

Under 14 CFR § 91.119(d), how do minimum safe altitude regulations for helicopters differ from those for fixed-wing aircraft?

• AHelicopters may operate at less than prescribed minimum altitudes if the operation is con…
• BHelicopters must always maintain at least 500 feet above the highest obstacle in non-cong…
• CHelicopters are exempt from all altitude minimums in Class B airspace.
• DHelicopters must maintain at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-f…

To maintain pilot-in-command privileges, a Private Pilot Helicopter must complete a flight review within how many calendar months?

• A24 calendar months
• B12 calendar months
• C36 calendar months
• D6 calendar months

Prior to takeoff on a VFR cross-country flight in a helicopter, what altimeter setting should the pilot set if the local altimeter setting is not available from a ground station?

• AThe departure airport elevation
• BStandard pressure of 29.92 in. Hg
• CZero feet altitude
• DThe altimeter setting from the nearest Class B airport regardless of distance

Under 14 CFR § 91.159, at what altitude above the surface do VFR cruising altitude rules begin to apply when operating a helicopter on a magnetic course of 090 degrees?

• AAbove 3,000 feet AGL
• BAbove 1,200 feet AGL
• CAbove 500 feet AGL
• DAbove 5,000 feet MSL

When operating a helicopter VFR on a magnetic course of 210 degrees at an altitude above 3,000 feet AGL, which altitude is appropriate under 14 CFR § 91.159?

• A4,500 feet MSL
• B3,500 feet MSL
• C5,000 feet MSL
• D4,000 feet MSL

In accordance with 14 CFR § 91.215, what squawk code should a helicopter pilot set on the transponder when operating VFR in radar-serviced airspace without specific ATC instructions?

• ACode 1200
• BCode 7500
• CCode 7600
• DCode 7700

If a helicopter experiences a total communications failure while operating under VFR, what squawk code should the pilot select on the transponder?

• ACode 7600
• BCode 7500
• CCode 7700
• DCode 1200

Which transponder code indicates an inflight emergency in a helicopter?

• ACode 7700
• BCode 7500
• CCode 7600
• DCode 7000

According to NTSB Part 830, which event requires immediate notification to the nearest NTSB field office?

• AAn inflight fire or main rotor blade structural damage requiring major repair
• BA flat tail rotor tire during ground taxi
• CA delayed flight departure due to precautionary maintenance
• DAn engine failure that results in a successful autorotation without damage or injury

Following an aircraft accident, within how many days must a detailed written report (NTSB Form 6120.1) be filed with the NTSB?

• A10 days
• B7 days
• C14 days
• D30 days

Prior to entering Class D airspace, what communication requirement must a pilot satisfy?

• AEstablish two-way radio communications with the ATC facility providing control for that a…
• BReceive explicit clearance from ATC stating 'Cleared to enter Class D airspace.'
• CContact approach control at least 20 NM prior to entry.
• DFile a VFR flight plan with Flight Service.

Two-way radio communication is considered established with Class C ATC when the controller responds to the helicopter's call sign with which of the following?

• A"Helicopter 321 Delta, standby."
• B"Aircraft calling control, standby."
• C"Helicopter 321 Delta, cleared to enter Class C airspace."
• D"Helicopter 321 Delta, radar contact denied."

Before entering Class B airspace, a pilot must receive which explicit communication from ATC?

• A"Helicopter 321 Delta, cleared to enter Class B airspace."
• B"Helicopter 321 Delta, radar contact."
• C"Helicopter 321 Delta, squawk 4321 and proceed."
• D"Helicopter 321 Delta, report 5 miles out."

What is the lateral radius of the Mode C veil surrounding a primary Class B airport from the surface up to 10,000 feet MSL?

• A30 nautical miles
• B20 nautical miles
• C10 nautical miles
• D15 nautical miles

While in flight, a steady green light gun signal from the control tower instructs the helicopter pilot to:

• ACleared to land
• BReturn for landing
• CExercise extreme caution
• DStop

While on the ground, a flashing red light gun signal from the control tower instructs the helicopter pilot to:

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

In flight, an alternating red and green light gun signal indicates:

• AExercise extreme caution
• BAirport unsafe, do not land
• CGive way to other aircraft and continue circling
• DCleared to land immediately

Hovering In Ground Effect (IGE) is characterized by:

• AReduced induced flow and reduced induced drag, requiring less engine power than Out of Gr…
• BIncreased induced drag and higher blade angle of attack requirements.
• CIncreased rotor tip vortex strength and higher pitch angle settings.
• DHigher power required than hovering Out of Ground Effect (OGE).

Effective Translational Lift (ETL) typically occurs in a helicopter between what airspeed range?

• A16 to 24 knots
• B5 to 10 knots
• C30 to 45 knots
• D50 to 65 knots

What aerodynamically causes Effective Translational Lift (ETL) as a helicopter transitions into forward flight?

• AThe main rotor system outruns its own re-circulated downwash and operates in relatively u…
• BThe tail rotor produces maximum thrust to offset main rotor torque.
• CThe air density increases as forward airspeed builds up.
• DFlapping decreases to zero due to centrifugal force.

During a steady-state autorotation in a helicopter, what force drives the main rotor blades?

• AAerodynamic upward airflow through the rotor system acting on the autorotative (driving)…
• BResidual engine power delivered through an automatic centrifugal clutch.
• CAirflow downward through the main rotor blades created by forward speed.
• DTail rotor rotation transmitted back through the main transmission.

Due to gyroscopic precession in a helicopter rotor system, a control input force applied at a specific point on the rotor disc will manifest its maximum response at what position?

• A90 degrees later in the direction of rotation
• B180 degrees opposite to the applied force
• C45 degrees later in the direction of rotation
• DDirectly at the point of application

What are the VFR weather minimums for a helicopter operating under a Special VFR (SVFR) clearance within Class D airspace day or night?

• AClear of clouds, with no minimum flight visibility requirement unless specifically design…
• B1 statute mile visibility and 500 feet below clouds
• C3 statute miles visibility and clear of clouds
• D1/2 statute mile visibility and 1,000 feet ceiling

Under 14 CFR § 91.157(b)(4), how do night Special VFR (SVFR) requirements for helicopters differ from those for airplanes?

• AHelicopter pilots are not required to hold an instrument rating or operate an IFR-equippe…
• BHelicopter pilots must hold an instrument rating but the aircraft needs no special equipm…
• CHelicopters are strictly prohibited from conducting Special VFR operations at night.
• DHelicopters require 3 statute miles visibility and a 1,000-foot ceiling at night.

What are the day VFR weather minimums for a helicopter operating in Class G airspace at or below 1,200 feet AGL?

• A1/2 statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds if operated at a speed that allows…
• B3 statute miles visibility and 500 feet below clouds
• C1 statute mile visibility and 1,000 feet above clouds
• D3 statute miles visibility and clear of clouds

When operating a helicopter at night in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL in the traffic pattern within 1/2 mile of a helipad, what is the minimum flight visibility required?

• A1 statute mile and clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles and clear of clouds
• C1/2 statute mile and clear of clouds
• D5 statute miles and 1,000 feet above clouds

When operating a helicopter VFR in Class E airspace below 10,000 feet MSL, what are the minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?

• A3 statute miles visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal from…
• B1 statute mile visibility; 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal from c…
• C3 statute miles visibility; clear of clouds
• D5 statute miles visibility; 1,000 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 1 statute mile horizontal…

What are the basic VFR weather minimums for a helicopter operating in Class B airspace?

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

Under 14 CFR § 91.117, what is the maximum indicated airspeed permitted when operating an aircraft below 10,000 feet MSL?

• A250 knots
• B200 knots
• C180 knots
• D150 knots

Under 14 CFR § 91.117(c), what is the maximum indicated airspeed for an aircraft operating in the airspace underlying a Class B airspace area or in a VFR corridor through Class B airspace?

• A200 knots
• B250 knots
• C180 knots
• D150 knots

What is the maximum indicated airspeed allowed when operating at or below 2,500 feet AGL within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport of a Class D airspace area?

• A200 knots
• B250 knots
• C150 knots
• D120 knots

When two helicopters are converging at approximately the same altitude, which aircraft has the right-of-way?

• AThe aircraft to the other's right
• BThe aircraft at the lower altitude
• CThe faster aircraft
• DThe aircraft to the other's left

When a helicopter and an airplane are approaching head-on or nearly so, what action should each pilot take?

• ABoth pilots shall alter course to the right
• BBoth pilots shall alter course to the left
• CThe helicopter shall climb and the airplane shall descend
• DThe airplane has right-of-way and the helicopter must give way

An aircraft in distress has right-of-way over:

• AAll other air traffic
• BOnly powered fixed-wing aircraft
• CAirplanes, but not gliders or balloons
• DAll aircraft except airships

Transverse flow effect in a helicopter main rotor system causes which initial flight tendency during acceleration through 10 to 20 knots?

• AA right roll tendency accompanied by a slight pitch up
• BA left roll tendency accompanied by a nose-down pitch
• CA sudden left yaw movement
• DViolent main rotor blade flapping downward on the nose

Which combination of conditions is required to cause a helicopter to enter Vortex Ring State (settling with power)?

• AVertical or near-vertical descent rate exceeding 300 fpm, airspeed slower than ETL, and 2…
• BHigh forward speed exceeding Vne, low engine RPM, and steep bank angle
• CRapid autorotative descent, high rotor RPM, and zero engine power
• DHovering Out of Ground Effect with headwind exceeding 25 knots

What is the primary recovery technique from a Vortex Ring State condition?

• AApply forward cyclic to increase airspeed into clean air, or apply lateral cyclic (Vuicha…
• BIncrease collective fully to cushion the rapid descent rate
• CPull aft cyclic to increase main rotor blade angle of attack
• DApply full right anti-torque pedal and reduce engine throttles

What factors contribute to the onset of retreating blade stall in a helicopter operating at high forward speed?

• AHigh gross weight, high density altitude, low rotor RPM, steep turns, and turbulent air
• BLow gross weight, low density altitude, high rotor RPM, and smooth air
• CHigh engine power setting during a rapid vertical descent
• DHovering In Ground Effect at sea level on a cold standard day

What are the primary flight symptoms of retreating blade stall and how should the pilot recover?

• APitch up and roll toward the retreating blade side; recover by lowering collective and re…
• BPitch down and roll toward advancing blade side; recover by pulling back on cyclic and ra…
• CRapid uncommanded yaw to the right; recover by applying full left rudder pedal
• DSudden overspeed of main rotor; recover by rolling throttle off completely