FAA SHF Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Helicopter – Simplified Flight Controls

Under 14 CFR § 61.303, what medical qualification is required for a pilot to exercise Sport Pilot privileges in a light-sport helicopter equipped with simplified flight controls?

• AA valid US driver's license, provided the pilot has not been denied an FAA medical certif…
• BA minimum of a Third-Class FAA Medical Certificate is required for all rotorcraft operati…
• CA valid US driver's license, regardless of any prior FAA medical certificate denials
• DA BasicMed qualification certified by a licensed physician within the last 48 calendar mo…

How many passengers may a sport pilot carry in a helicopter with simplified flight controls, and what seating capacity does 14 CFR § 61.316 allow that helicopter to have?

• AOne passenger, in a helicopter with a maximum seating capacity of two persons
• BTwo passengers, in a helicopter with a maximum seating capacity of three persons
• COne passenger, in a helicopter with a maximum seating capacity of four persons
• DNo passengers are ever permitted under sport pilot rules

Under 14 CFR § 61.315, what is the maximum altitude above mean sea level (MSL) or ground level (AGL) at which a sport pilot may operate a light-sport helicopter?

• A10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher
• B12,500 feet MSL regardless of terrain elevation
• C18,000 feet MSL (the base of Class A airspace)
• D5,000 feet MSL or 1,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher

Under 14 CFR §§ 61.315 and 61.329, what must a sport pilot complete before acting as pilot in command of a helicopter with simplified flight controls at night?

• A3 hours of night flight training in that category and class including a night cross-count…
• BNothing; sport pilots may never act as pilot in command at night
• CInstallation of position and anti-collision lights, with no additional training required
• DA separate night rating issued by the FAA Airman Certification Branch

What logbook endorsement is required under 14 CFR § 61.325 for a sport pilot to operate in Class B, C, or D airspace, or at an airport located within Class B, C, or D airspace?

• AGround and flight training from an authorized instructor and a specific logbook endorseme…
• BA Class B airspace rating issued directly by the FAA Airman Certification Branch
• CNo endorsement is required if the pilot maintains continuous radio contact with ATC
• DAn endorsement from an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner following an additional practical fl…

Under 14 CFR § 61.56, what requirement must a sport pilot fulfill every 24 calendar months to maintain pilot-in-command privileges in a light-sport helicopter?

• AComplete a Flight Review consisting of at least 1 hour of ground instruction and 1 hour o…
• BPass an FAA written knowledge re-examination every 24 calendar months
• CComplete a minimum of 50 solo flight hours in the preceding 24 months
• DObtain a new endorsement from a Designated Pilot Examiner after a checkride

Under 14 CFR § 61.57, what flight experience must a sport pilot accomplish to act as pilot in command of a light-sport helicopter carrying a passenger?

• ALogged at least 3 takeoffs and landings as sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraf…
• BLogged at least 10 takeoffs and landings in any aircraft category within the preceding 30…
• CCompleted a flight review within the preceding 90 days
• DLogged at least 5 takeoffs and landings to a full stop within the preceding 12 calendar m…

What is the minimum flight visibility requirement for a sport pilot operating a light-sport helicopter in Class G airspace during daylight hours at 800 feet AGL under 14 CFR § 91.155?

• A1/2 statute mile flight visibility and clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles flight visibility with 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet h…
• C5 statute miles flight visibility and 1,000 feet above clouds
• D3 statute miles flight visibility and clear of clouds

Under 14 CFR § 91.151, what is the minimum VFR fuel reserve requirement for a helicopter flight during daytime conditions?

• AEnough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising s…
• BEnough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and after that for at least 30…
• CEnough fuel to fly to the destination and after that for at least 45 minutes
• DEnough fuel to fly to the destination, alternate airport, and after that for 30 minutes

Under 14 CFR § 91.103 (Preflight Action), what mandatory information must a pilot become familiar with prior to any flight outside the vicinity of an airport?

• AWeather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternate routes available, and known t…
• BOnly the engine oil quantity and rotor blade visual cleanliness
• CAirworthiness directives and local ground transportation availability
• DPassenger identity documents and weight certificates

According to 14 CFR § 91.119, what altitude restriction applies to helicopters when operating over congested or non-congested areas?

• AHelicopters may be operated at less than the minimum altitudes prescribed for airplanes i…
• BHelicopters must maintain at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 fee…
• CHelicopters are subject to the exact same minimum altitude numerical limits as fixed-wing…
• DHelicopters must remain above 500 feet AGL at all times, even during takeoff and landing

Under 14 CFR § 91.113, what right-of-way rule applies when two aircraft (such as a helicopter and a glider) are approaching head-on or on converging courses?

• AAn engine-driven aircraft (helicopter) must yield the right-of-way to gliders, airships,…
• BThe powered helicopter always has right-of-way over unpowered aircraft
• CThe faster aircraft has the right-of-way over the slower aircraft
• DThe aircraft at the higher altitude has right-of-way over the lower aircraft

What is the requirement regarding mandatory seatbelt and shoulder harness use by flight crew members under 14 CFR § 91.105?

• ADuring takeoff and landing, and while en route, each required flight crew member must kee…
• BSafety belts must be fastened only during landing
• CShoulder harnesses are optional for light-sport helicopters under 1,320 lbs gross weight
• DSafety belts are required for passengers only, not the pilot in command

Under 14 CFR § 91.207, what is the emergency locator transmitter (ELT) inspection requirement, and do rotorcraft have specific exceptions?

• AThe ELT carriage requirement in § 91.207(a) is written for airplanes, so it does not reac…
• BRotorcraft must carry two ELTs at all times and inspect them every 6 calendar months
• CRotorcraft are strictly required to install automatic fixed ELTs with no regulatory excep…
• DELT inspections are only required following hard landings exceeding 3G

Under 14 CFR § 91.409, what inspection interval is mandatory for an aircraft operated for hire or used for flight instruction?

• AAnnual inspection every 12 calendar months AND a 100-hour inspection for flight instructi…
• BOnly a 50-hour inspection conducted by an A&P mechanic
• CAnnual inspection every 24 calendar months
• DA 100-hour inspection replaces the annual inspection requirement permanently

What primary documentation must be on board a light-sport helicopter during flight operations under 14 CFR § 91.203 (ARROW)?

• AAirworthiness Certificate, Registration Certificate, Operating Limitations (Pilot's Opera…
• BAirman Certificate, Pilot Logbook, Maintenance Logbooks, and Bill of Sale
• CDriver's License, FAA Written Test Results, and Medical Certificate only
• DInsurance Policy, Engine Maintenance Manual, and Navigation Charts only

What maximum gross takeoff weight does 14 CFR § 61.316 impose on a helicopter that a sport pilot may operate?

• ANone; § 61.316 sets no weight limit, but the helicopter must be certificated with the sim…
• B1,320 pounds (600 kg) for land operations
• C2,500 pounds (1,134 kg)
• D3,125 pounds (1,417 kg)

Under 14 CFR § 61.315, can a sport pilot carry passengers for compensation or hire, or fly in furtherance of a business?

• ANo, a sport pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers or p…
• BYes, provided the pilot logs at least 100 hours of cross-country flight time
• CYes, if the compensation only covers direct operating costs such as fuel and oil
• DYes, provided the business operation is limited to day VFR conditions

What logbook endorsement is required under 14 CFR § 61.317 before a sport pilot may act as pilot in command of a light-sport helicopter?

• AA category and class endorsement specifically for rotorcraft/helicopter issued by an auth…
• BA blanket sport pilot endorsement valid for any light-sport category
• CAn endorsement from an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner authorizing multi-engine operations
• DA written authorization signed directly by an FAA FSDO Safety Inspector

Under 14 CFR § 91.117, what is the maximum indicated airspeed permitted when flying below 10,000 feet MSL, and what specific speed limit applies in underlying Class B airspace or VFR corridors?

• A250 knots indicated airspeed below 10,000 feet MSL, and 200 knots beneath Class B airspac…
• B200 knots below 10,000 feet MSL, and 150 knots beneath Class B airspace
• C180 knots below 10,000 feet MSL, and 120 knots in Class D airspace
• D300 knots below 10,000 feet MSL for turbine helicopters

Under 14 CFR § 22.180, which set of requirements must an aircraft meet before the manufacturer may designate it as having simplified flight controls?

• AIts flight path and available power are automated so the pilot only intervenes without pr…
• BIt carries a triple-redundant fly-by-wire computer, an autopilot certificated to Category…
• CIt has a maximum takeoff weight under 1,320 pounds, two seats, and a fixed-pitch rotor sy…
• DIt is equipped with a full-authority autopilot capable of flying a published instrument a…

Section 22.180(a) requires that an aircraft with simplified flight controls have its flight path and available power automated. What does that mean for the pilot?

• AThe pilot intervenes in the flight path and power without the availability of the primary…
• BThe pilot retains a conventional cyclic, collective, and antitorque pedals but the aircra…
• CThe pilot has no ability to alter the flight once the aircraft is airborne
• DThe pilot must fly the aircraft entirely by autopilot mode selections made before takeoff

Who decides that a particular light-sport category helicopter carries the simplified flight controls designation, and where is that decision recorded?

• AThe manufacturer designates it, and § 21.190 requires the statement of compliance to stat…
• BThe FAA Flight Standards District Office designates it during the airworthiness inspectio…
• CThe owner designates it in the aircraft maintenance records after the first condition ins…
• DThe certificated flight instructor designates it in the pilot's logbook endorsement

Section 22.180(b) requires an aircraft with simplified flight controls to be designed to inherently prevent loss of control under likely circumstances. What does the word 'inherently' change for the pilot?

• ALoss-of-control protection must come from the design itself and hold regardless of pilot…
• BIt means the aircraft cannot be damaged by any control input in any condition, including…
• CIt means the pilot may disregard the aircraft's published operating limitations because t…
• DIt means loss of control is prevented only when the pilot has the autopilot engaged

What capability does 14 CFR § 22.180(c) require an aircraft with simplified flight controls to provide?

• AA means that lets the pilot quickly and safely discontinue or alter the flight, and that…
• BA means to transfer control to a ground station operator during an emergency
• CA means to automatically land the aircraft at the departure heliport if the pilot becomes…
• DA means to disable all automation and revert to conventional cyclic, collective, and peda…

A sport pilot has helicopter privileges limited to helicopters with simplified flight controls. May that pilot act as pilot in command of a conventional two-seat training helicopter that has cyclic, collective, and antitorque pedals?

• ANo, because § 61.316(a)(6) allows a sport pilot to fly a helicopter only if it is certifi…
• BYes, provided the helicopter has no more than two seats and weighs less than 1,320 pounds
• CYes, provided the pilot receives a logbook endorsement from any authorized flight instruc…
• DYes, provided the flight remains in Class G airspace during daylight

Where does a pilot find the authoritative description of how a specific helicopter with simplified flight controls is operated, including its automation modes, limitations, and emergency procedures?

• AThe Rotorcraft Flight Manual or POH and the operating limitations issued with that aircra…
• B14 CFR part 22, which prescribes each automation mode a manufacturer must install
• CThe Helicopter Flying Handbook, which supersedes manufacturer procedures
• DThe Airman Certification Standards, which lists the control laws each model must use

A certificated sport pilot with gyroplane privileges wants to add helicopter-simplified flight controls privileges. What does 14 CFR § 61.321 require?

• AA practical test for the rotorcraft-helicopter privilege, because § 61.321(b) singles out…
• BTraining plus a proficiency check given by a second authorized instructor, with no practi…
• CA new knowledge test only, with no flight evaluation
• DNothing beyond a logbook endorsement from the instructor who provided the training

Which powerplant-failure tasks does the Sport Pilot Airman Certification Standards for Helicopter-Simplified Flight Controls require an applicant to demonstrate?

• AStraight-in autorotation and autorotation with turns, plus powerplant failure in a hover…
• BOnly a discussion of autorotation theory, because the automation handles the descent
• CA full touchdown autorotation from 500 feet AGL at night
• DSimulated instrument flight following an engine failure in cloud

An annunciation during cruise tells the pilot that part of the helicopter's automation is no longer available. What is the correct response?

• AFollow the abnormal or emergency procedure published in that aircraft's flight manual, av…
• BImmediately execute an emergency autorotation into the nearest field
• CCycle the master switch off and on in flight to reset the system
• DAccelerate to VNE to improve control effectiveness

Which systems must a sport pilot applicant be prepared to explain under the Operation of Systems task of the Helicopter-Simplified Flight Controls ACS?

• AFlight controls and trim, powerplant, main rotor and antitorque systems, transmission and…
• BOnly the flight control automation, since the other systems are managed automatically
• COnly the powerplant and fuel systems, because the ACS treats the rest as maintenance topi…
• DAir traffic control procedures and airspace classification

Section 61.316(a)(5) requires that, for powered aircraft other than balloons or airships, the design allow the pilot to establish a controlled descent after a powerplant failure. Why does this matter to a sport pilot flying a helicopter with simplified flight controls?

• AThe pilot must still be able to establish and fly an autorotation to a safe landing after…
• BIt guarantees the helicopter will glide to the nearest airport without pilot action
• CIt means the aircraft will automatically restart the engine after a failure
• DIt exempts the pilot from practicing autorotations during training

The Helicopter-Simplified Flight Controls ACS lists 'flying an unfamiliar helicopter-simplified flight controls or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems' as a risk to identify and mitigate. Why is that risk singled out for these aircraft?

• APart 22 states required outcomes rather than a specific control design, so two aircraft c…
• BBecause all such helicopters use an identical interface, so any difference indicates an u…
• CBecause the FAA prohibits a sport pilot from flying more than one make and model
• DBecause the designation requires the pilot to memorize the consensus standard used for ce…

Under 14 CFR § 61.315(c)(15) and (c)(16), what governs a sport pilot's operation of a helicopter whose flight manual publishes a maximum torque and a rotor RPM range?

• AThe pilot may not operate contrary to any operating limitation placed on the aircraft's a…
• BThe published limits are advisory once the aircraft carries the simplified flight control…
• CThe limits apply only when a passenger is carried
• DThe limits are superseded by the values in the Helicopter Flying Handbook

Who remains responsible for the safe operation of a helicopter with simplified flight controls when its automation is engaged?

• AThe pilot in command, who under § 91.3(a) is directly responsible for and the final autho…
• BThe manufacturer, because it designated the aircraft as having simplified flight controls
• CAir traffic control, once the aircraft is receiving services
• DThe certificated flight instructor who signed the pilot's endorsement

What primary advantage does the automation required by § 22.180(a) offer in reducing pilot workload during hover operations in gusty crosswind conditions?

• AThe system automatically makes continuous micro-adjustments to cyclic and antitorque thru…
• BThe system increases engine power by 50% automatically whenever wind is detected
• CThe system rotates the fuselage into the wind automatically while locking the landing gear
• DThe system eliminates crosswinds by creating an aerodynamic thermal barrier around the ro…

Does 14 CFR part 22 prescribe a specific cockpit control layout for helicopters designated as having simplified flight controls?

• ANo. Section 22.180 states the outcomes the design must achieve, and § 22.170 requires onl…
• BYes. Part 22 requires a single side-stick inceptor that combines pitch, roll, yaw, and ve…
• CYes. Part 22 requires conventional cyclic, collective, and antitorque pedals plus an auto…
• DNo, because part 22 applies only to gliders and balloons

During preflight, a sport pilot must determine that a helicopter with simplified flight controls is airworthy. Which documents establish that the aircraft carries the simplified flight controls designation and is legal to fly?

• AThe airworthiness certificate and its operating limitations, the registration certificate…
• BThe pilot's logbook endorsement and knowledge test report
• CThe manufacturer's sales brochure and the aircraft insurance certificate
• DA placard on the instrument panel stating the aircraft is automated

What must a pilot achieve with powerplant and rotor speed during a slope landing in a helicopter with simplified flight controls?

• AKeep powerplant and main rotor speed (Nr) within normal limits while reducing vertical th…
• BIncrease engine power to 100% full throttle to pin the uphill skid into the terrain
• CShut down the engine as soon as one skid touches the ground
• DDisengage the rotor from the drive system before ground contact

What is the correct source for the preflight system checks a pilot performs before flying a specific helicopter with simplified flight controls?

• AThe checklist published by the manufacturer for that aircraft, used with the flight manua…
• BA generic checklist for all light-sport aircraft published in 14 CFR part 22
• CThe Helicopter Flying Handbook checklist, which applies to every make and model
• DWhatever sequence the pilot finds convenient, because the automation verifies itself

What aerodynamic phenomenon causes a helicopter to require less power to hover when operating close to the ground (within one rotor diameter height)?

• AIn-Ground Effect (IGE), where the surface restricts downwash flow, reduces induced flow,…
• BOut-of-Ground Effect (OGE), where increased blade tip vortices increase total lift
• CTranslational lift, caused by forward flight airspeed exceeding 50 knots
• DGyroscopic precession, which increases engine horsepower near obstacles

At approximately what forward airspeed range does a helicopter transition into Effective Translational Lift (ETL)?

• A16 to 24 knots
• B5 to 10 knots
• C40 to 50 knots
• D60 to 70 knots

What three conditions must occur simultaneously for a helicopter to enter Vortex Ring State (Settling with Power)?

• AA vertical or near-vertical descent rate exceeding 300 feet per minute, airspeed less tha…
• BA steep climb at 1,000 feet per minute, high airspeed above VNE, and low pitch
• CA autorotative glide at 60 knots, zero engine power, and high rotor RPM
• DA level turn at 45 degrees bank angle, 80 knots airspeed, and full throttle

What is the primary physical recovery technique from Vortex Ring State (Settling with Power)?

• ALower the collective/pitch to reduce power, pitch the nose forward to gain forward airspe…
• BPull full up collective pitch to increase thrust while holding a steep nose-up attitude
• CApply full antitorque pedal to spin the aircraft rapidly in place
• DShut down the engine immediately and enter an autorotation

What causes Transverse Flow Effect in a helicopter rotor system during forward flight transition around 10 to 20 knots?

• AIncreased downwash flow in the rear half of the rotor disk compared to the front half, cr…
• BDecreased downwash at the rear of the disk causing the tail to drop rapidly
• CSymmetrical airflow over both main rotor blades causing zero aerodynamic drag
• DStructural bending of the tail boom under extreme engine torque

What is Dissymmetry of Lift in a helicopter main rotor system during forward flight, and how is it compensated for mechanically?

• AThe difference in lift between the advancing blade (higher relative wind) and retreating…
• BThe difference in weight between left and right landing skids, compensated for by fuel ba…
• CThe imbalance between main rotor thrust and tail rotor thrust, compensated for by tail fi…
• DThe loss of lift during autorotation, compensated for by sudden collective application

What condition leads to Retreating Blade Stall in high-speed forward helicopter flight?

• AHigh forward airspeed, high gross weight, high density altitude, or steep turns forcing t…
• BLow forward airspeed, low gross weight, and low density altitude in a stationary hover
• COperating at minimum pitch during a rapid vertical autorotative descent
• DExcessive main rotor RPM above 115% in cold dense air