FAA SPY Knowledge Test — Sport Pilot Gyroplane

Under 14 CFR § 61.23, what medical qualification is required to exercise sport pilot privileges in a gyroplane if the pilot holds a valid U.S. driver's license?

• AA valid U.S. driver's license, provided the pilot's most recent application for an FAA me…
• BA Third-Class FAA Medical Certificate is required in addition to a U.S. driver's license
• CA BasicMed qualification with a completed FAA Form 8700-2 examination checklist
• DA valid U.S. driver's license, but only if the pilot has held an FAA medical certificate…

What is the maximum number of passengers a sport pilot may carry in a gyroplane under 14 CFR § 61.315?

• AOne passenger
• BTwo passengers
• CUp to three passengers if the gyroplane is certificated to carry four occupants
• DNo passengers are allowed under any circumstances

Under 14 CFR § 61.315, what is the maximum pressure altitude at which a sport pilot may operate an aircraft?

• A10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher
• B12,500 feet MSL, provided supplemental oxygen is used
• C18,000 feet MSL (the floor of Class A airspace)
• D5,000 feet AGL under all operating conditions

Under 14 CFR Part 91, what is the minimum day VFR fuel reserve required for a gyroplane?

• ASufficient fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruisi…
• BSufficient fuel to fly to the destination plus 45 minutes of reserve at normal cruise pow…
• CSufficient fuel to fly to the destination plus 30 minutes at normal cruising speed
• DNo reserve fuel is required if remaining within 25 nautical miles of the departure airport

According to 14 CFR § 61.315, may a sport pilot operate a gyroplane during night hours?

• AYes, after completing the night training in the gyroplane required by § 61.329, receiving…
• BYes, provided the gyroplane is equipped with position lights and anti-collision lights
• CNo, a sport pilot may never act as pilot in command at night
• DYes, provided the flight remains within 25 nautical miles of the home airport

What logbook endorsement is required before a sport pilot may operate in Class B, C, or D airspace under 14 CFR § 61.325?

• AA specific ground and flight training endorsement from an authorized instructor for opera…
• BAn endorsement from an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner following an additional oral exam
• CNo endorsement is required if the pilot holds a valid radio station license
• DA temporary flight authorization issued directly by the local Air Route Traffic Control C…

If an individual's most recent application for an FAA medical certificate was denied, can they exercise sport pilot privileges using a U.S. driver's license?

• ANo, an FAA medical denial disqualifies an individual from using a U.S. driver's license f…
• BYes, because a driver's license supersedes any previous FAA medical decision
• CYes, provided the denial occurred more than 2 years prior to the current flight
• DYes, provided the flight is conducted strictly in Class G airspace under VFR

Under 14 CFR § 61.315, a sport pilot is prohibited from acting as PIC for compensation or hire. Which exception allows sharing operating expenses with a passenger?

• AA sport pilot may share operating expenses with a passenger, provided the expenses involv…
• BA sport pilot may charge the passenger a fixed hourly rate to cover aircraft depreciation
• CA sport pilot may accept full reimbursement for fuel and oil if carrying a charity passen…
• DNo expense sharing is permitted under any circumstances for sport pilots

What aeronautical experience requirement must a student pilot meet under 14 CFR § 61.87 prior to conducting a solo flight in a gyroplane?

• AReceive ground and flight training on gyroplane pre-solo maneuvers including prerotation,…
• BLog at least 20 hours of dual flight instruction and complete a cross-country flight of 7…
• CPass the official FAA SPY Knowledge Test at a PSI testing center
• DObtain a solo authorization certificate issued by the FAA Flight Standards District Office

According to 14 CFR § 91.119, what is the minimum safe altitude for a gyroplane over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement?

• AAn altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000…
• BAn altitude of 500 feet above the surface or highest obstacle
• CAn altitude allowing a safe landing without hazard to persons or property, with no minimu…
• D1,500 feet MSL regardless of terrain elevation

According to 14 CFR § 91.119, what is the minimum safe altitude requirement for gyroplanes operating over non-congested areas?

• AAn altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated a…
• B1,000 feet above terrain at all times
• CNo minimum altitude as long as airspeed remains above 60 KIAS
• D250 feet AGL during daylight hours only

Under 14 CFR § 61.321, how does a certificated sport pilot add an additional light-sport aircraft category or class endorsement (such as adding Gyroplane to an existing sport pilot certificate)?

• AReceive required ground and flight training, obtain a logbook endorsement, and pass a pro…
• BTake an additional FAA written exam and complete a checkride with an FAA Inspector
• CLog 5 hours of solo flight time in the new category and mail a self-certification form to…
• DPass a practical test conducted by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner

Under 14 CFR § 91.203, what official certificates and documents must be on board a light-sport gyroplane during flight operations?

• AAirworthiness Certificate, Registration Certificate, and Operating Limitations / Flight M…
• BAirworthiness Certificate, Pilot Logbook, and Radio Station License
• CState Registration Document, Engine Logbook, and Certificate of Insurance
• DBill of Sale, Pilot Certificate, and Manufacturer Quality Assurance Inspection Form

Who is primarily responsible for maintaining a light-sport gyroplane in an airworthy condition under 14 CFR § 91.403?

• AThe owner or operator of the aircraft
• BThe certificated flight instructor who last conducted flight instruction in the gyroplane
• CThe FAA Flight Standards District Office airworthiness inspector
• DThe manufacturer of the light-sport gyroplane

What periodic inspection is required every 12 calendar months for a gyroplane holding an experimental light-sport airworthiness certificate?

• AA condition inspection performed in accordance with the manufacturer's maintenance manual…
• BAn annual inspection performed strictly by an FAA Inspector
• CA 100-hour inspection performed by a commercial pilot
• DA progressive inspection verified by the local airport manager

Under 14 CFR § 61.315, may a sport pilot act as pilot in command of a gyroplane for the purpose of demonstrating the aircraft in intent of sale to a prospective buyer?

• ANo, an aircraft salesperson may not use sport pilot privileges to demonstrate an aircraft…
• BYes, provided the sport pilot has logged at least 100 hours of pilot-in-command time in t…
• CYes, provided no passenger is carried on board during the demonstration
• DYes, provided the demonstration flight is restricted to Class G airspace

Under 14 CFR § 61.316, what rotor system must a gyroplane have before a sport pilot may act as pilot in command of it?

• AA fixed-pitch, semi-rigid, teetering, two-blade rotor system
• BA fully articulated rotor system with at least three blades
• CA rigid, collective-pitch rotor system with an engine-driven rotor drive in flight
• DAny rotor system, provided maximum takeoff weight stays under 1,320 pounds

Under 14 CFR § 61.23(c), if a pilot held an FAA Third-Class Medical Certificate that expired 5 years ago without being denied or revoked, can they exercise sport pilot privileges using a U.S. driver's license?

• AYes, an expired medical certificate does not prevent using a valid U.S. driver's license…
• BNo, once a medical certificate expires, a pilot must obtain an official FAA medical renew…
• CNo, an expired medical requires completing a BasicMed course before using a driver's lice…
• DYes, but only if the pilot submits a medical exemption request to the FAA Aeromedical Cer…

Under 14 CFR § 91.103, what specific preflight actions are required by a pilot in command before conducting a flight outside the vicinity of an airport in a gyroplane?

• AWeather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternate routes available, known traff…
• BFiling an official VFR flight plan with Flight Service and contacting the airport tower b…
• CPerforming an engine compression test and inspecting the main rotor teeter bolt torque
• DObtaining written authorization from the owner of every airport along the intended route

When operating a gyroplane under 14 CFR § 91.155 in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL during daytime, what are the VFR flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements?

• A1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds
• B3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, 2,000 feet horizontal from…
• C5 statute miles visibility and 1,000 feet clear of all clouds
• D1/2 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds, the same as a helicopter

According to 14 CFR § 61.57, to carry a passenger in a gyroplane, what recency of experience requirement must the sport pilot meet?

• A3 takeoffs and 3 landings in a gyroplane within the preceding 90 days
• B3 takeoffs and 3 landings in any aircraft category within the preceding 60 days
• C5 hours of pilot-in-command flight time in a gyroplane within the preceding 30 days
• D1 takeoff and 1 autorotative landing within the preceding 30 days

Under 14 CFR § 61.56, what requirement must a sport pilot complete every 24 calendar months to maintain flight privileges?

• AA Flight Review consisting of at least 1 hour of ground instruction and 1 hour of flight…
• BA complete practical checkride with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
• CAn FAA medical examination renewal and online safety course
• DLogging 10 hours of solo flight time in a gyroplane

Under 14 CFR § 91.213, what must a pilot do if an item of non-required equipment in a light-sport gyroplane is found to be inoperative prior to flight?

• ADeactivate or remove the inoperative instrument/equipment, placarding it 'Inoperative', a…
• BCancel the flight immediately and notify the local FAA Flight Standards District Office
• CFly the aircraft provided no passengers are carried on board
• DObtain an emergency maintenance waiver signed by a certificated flight instructor

Under 14 CFR § 61.315, is a sport pilot permitted to act as pilot in command of a gyroplane in flight above a continuous cloud ceiling (VFR-over-the-top)?

• ANo, a sport pilot is prohibited from operating an aircraft without visual reference to th…
• BYes, provided the cloud layer is thin and the destination airport is reporting clear skies
• CYes, if the gyroplane is equipped with an artificial horizon and turn coordinator
• DYes, provided the flight altitude remains below 10,000 feet MSL

According to 14 CFR § 61.315, what is the sport pilot limitation regarding flight visibility during daytime operations?

• AA sport pilot may not act as PIC when flight visibility is less than 3 statute miles
• BA sport pilot may operate when flight visibility is 1 statute mile, provided they stay wi…
• CFlight visibility minimum is 5 statute miles for all sport pilot flights
• DThere is no visibility restriction if the aircraft is operating within 5 nautical miles o…

What drives the main rotor of a gyroplane during steady forward level flight?

• AAerodynamic forces generated by upward airflow through the rotor disk as the aircraft mov…
• BA flexible drive shaft connected directly to the aircraft engine gearbox
• CAn electric motor located inside the main rotor hub
• DCompressed air jets located at the tips of the main rotor blades

What is the definition of autorotation as applied to a light-sport gyroplane?

• AA continuous state of flight in which the main rotor turns solely as a result of air movi…
• BAn emergency maneuver performed only after an engine power failure
• CA powered descent mode where engine torque drives the main rotor at reduced RPM
• DThe automatic tilt of the rotor disk caused by gyroscopic precession during turns

Why is a mechanical or hydraulic prerotator system used on a gyroplane prior to takeoff?

• ATo spin up the main rotor on the ground to a minimum operational RPM, preventing blade fl…
• BTo maintain constant rotor RPM during steep climbing turns
• CTo power the main rotor in flight if the main engine fails
• DTo reverse rotor spin direction for shorter landing runs

What is the main hazard associated with abruptly pushing forward on the control stick in a gyroplane (bunting maneuver)?

• AInducing a low-G or zero-G condition that unloads the rotor disk, leading to power-push-o…
• BOver-speeding the engine propeller past redline RPM
• CCausing an immediate tail rotor strike against the main rotor blades
• DTriggering excessive rotor RPM increase that damages the teeter bolt

What is dissymmetry of lift in a gyroplane main rotor system?

• AThe unequal lift created between the advancing blade side and the retreating blade side o…
• BThe difference in lift between the upper surface and lower surface of a single rotor blade
• CThe imbalance of lift caused by uneven fuel weight in left and right wing tanks
• DThe loss of lift experienced when entering ground effect

How does a teetering (semi-rigid) two-bladed rotor system automatically equalize lift across the rotor disk in forward flight?

• ABlade flapping: the advancing blade flaps up decreasing its angle of attack, while the re…
• BMechanical pitch change links automatically twist the advancing blade to zero pitch
• CThe rotor head shifts horizontally on linear bearings away from the advancing blade
• DEngine thrust automatically increases on the retreating side of the rotor head

Which aerodynamic region of a gyroplane rotor blade provides the accelerating force (driving force) that keeps the main rotor turning during autorotation?

• AThe driving region (middle portion of the blade, approximately 25% to 70% radius)
• BThe driven region (outer tip portion of the blade, from 70% to 100% radius)
• CThe stall region (inner root portion of the blade, inside 25% radius)
• DThe hub attachment fittings and balance weights

What aerodynamic region is located near the outer tips of the gyroplane main rotor blades during autorotation, and what is its effect on rotation?

• AThe driven region, which produces aerodynamic drag that opposes rotor rotation
• BThe driving region, which accelerates the rotor to maximum RPM
• CThe stall region, which causes blade flapping turbulence
• DThe boundary layer transition region, which eliminates parasite drag

What happens to main rotor RPM in a gyroplane if forward airspeed increases while maintaining a constant cyclic stick position in steady autorotative flight?

• ARotor RPM increases due to greater volume of upward airflow through the rotor disk
• BRotor RPM decreases significantly due to increased tip drag
• CRotor RPM remains exactly unchanged under all airspeeds
• DRotor RPM drops to zero as the rotor disk stalls

What is a Power-Push-Over (PPO) in gyroplane aerodynamics?

• AA catastrophic pitch forward maneuver caused by high propeller thrust pitching the fusela…
• BAn unexpected engine shutdown caused by high carburetor heat application
• CA rapid rotor overspeed condition caused by diving steeply at full engine throttle
• DA sudden tail-down pitching moment caused by excessive rudder deflection

In a gyroplane designed with a high propeller thrust line (propeller thrust line located above the aircraft center of gravity), what pitching moment is produced by engine power?

• AA nose-down pitching moment around the center of gravity
• BA nose-up pitching moment around the center of gravity
• CA pure lateral rolling moment toward the advancing blade
• DNo pitching moment, only axial forward acceleration

During normal steady level flight in a high-thrust-line gyroplane, what force balances the propeller engine's continuous nose-down pitching moment?

• AThe upward and aft rotor thrust force vector acting behind the center of gravity
• BThe downward downwash of the propeller slipstream on the nose wheel
• CThe lateral trim tab force on the rudder pedals
• DThe weight of the engine acting forward of the main gear

If a gyroplane pilot encounters turbulence and experiences a sudden low-G condition, what immediate corrective action should be taken to prevent PPO?

• ASmoothly reduce engine power immediately and apply gentle aft cyclic pressure to reload t…
• BApply full engine takeoff power and push forward on the control stick
• CApply hard left rudder pedal and push full forward stick
• DDisengage the main rotor clutch and execute a zero-power glide

Why is pushing forward on the cyclic control stick during a low-G condition catastrophic in a push-propeller gyroplane?

• AIt completely unloads the main rotor (0 G), eliminating rotor control authority while eng…
• BIt causes the main rotor blades to lock in place due to excessive centrifugal force
• CIt causes the engine carburetor to flood and shut down instantly
• DIt causes immediate structural failure of the vertical tail fin due to high speed

What is the inner region of a gyroplane main rotor blade (near the hub) called during autorotation, and what are its aerodynamic characteristics?

• AThe stall region, operating at angles of attack exceeding the critical stall angle due to…
• BThe driving region, generating high thrust forward
• CThe compression region, operating at supersonic tip speeds
• DThe laminar region, generating zero drag

What is transverse flow effect in a gyroplane main rotor system, and at what airspeed range is it typically encountered?

• AA difference in air downwash and induced flow between the front and rear halves of the ro…
• BAn asymmetry of thrust occurring above 100 knots CAS that causes nose-up pitching
• CA ground effect phenomenon occurring only during vertical touchdown landings
• DA turbulence pattern caused by engine exhaust hitting the tail rotor

What causes rotor blade sail (excessive flapping out of control) during the initial takeoff roll if the rotor RPM is too low?

• AStrong horizontal wind striking a slow-spinning rotor disk where centrifugal force is ins…
• BExcessive mechanical friction in the prerotator belt drive mechanism
• CHigh engine torque twisting the rotor hub out of alignment
• DGround effect pushing the advancing blade upward faster than the retreating blade

Before beginning the takeoff roll in a light-sport gyroplane, what critical action must the pilot take regarding the prerotator mechanism?

• AFully disengage the prerotator drive system so engine power is not driving the main rotor…
• BLock the prerotator lever in the engaged position until reaching 50 feet AGL
• CIncrease prerotator pressure to maximum to assist climb rate
• DVerify that the prerotator drive belt is slipping continuously

How does an increase in total aircraft gross weight affect the steady-state autorotative rotor RPM of a gyroplane?

• ARotor RPM increases because a greater upward aerodynamic force vector is required to bala…
• BRotor RPM decreases because the extra weight drags down blade rotation speed
• CRotor RPM remains completely unchanged regardless of weight
• DRotor RPM fluctuates wildly, requiring continuous manual pitch adjustment

What flight condition leads to main rotor RPM decay (underspeed) in a gyroplane during flight?

• ASustained low G or pushing forward on the cyclic stick, reducing upward airflow through t…
• BIncreasing airspeed while holding a steep climbing pitch attitude
• CApplying full engine power during a level turn
• DDescending rapidly at high forward airspeed with cyclic pulled back

What is the correct pilot technique to recover from a decaying low main rotor RPM condition in flight?

• AApply smooth aft cyclic stick pressure to tilt the rotor disk back and increase upward ai…
• BPush full forward stick to lower the nose and pick up forward airspeed
• CShut down the engine immediately and enter a steep vertical dive
• DEngage the ground prerotator mechanism while in flight

Why is dynamic pitch stability crucial in light-sport gyroplane design?

• ATo ensure that following a pitch displacement or gust, pitching oscillations dampen out a…
• BTo allow the pilot to fly without touching the rudder pedals in turns
• CTo prevent the main rotor blades from flapping during high-speed forward flight
• DTo eliminate the need for a pre-takeoff rotor spin-up