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100+ Free FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter (PRH) Practice Questions

Pass your FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter Knowledge Test (PRH) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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The IMSAFE checklist is used by a pilot to evaluate what?

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B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter (PRH) Exam

60

Official Multiple-Choice Questions

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing

2.5 hours

Time Limit

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing

70%

Passing Score

FAA Airman Certification Standards

~$175

PSI Testing Fee

PSI FAA Knowledge Testing

24 months

Knowledge Test Result Validity

14 CFR Part 61

100

Free Practice Questions Here

OpenExamPrep

The FAA PRH knowledge test is a 60-question, computer-delivered multiple-choice exam with a 2.5-hour time limit and a 70% passing score, administered through PSI testing centers for approximately a $175 fee. A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months toward the private pilot rotorcraft–helicopter practical test. This free practice bank provides 100 selected-response questions with detailed explanations across all seven major PRH knowledge areas.

Sample FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter (PRH) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter (PRH) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under 14 CFR Part 91, who is directly responsible for, and the final authority as to, the operation of an aircraft?
A.The pilot in command
B.The certificated flight instructor on board
C.Air traffic control
D.The aircraft owner or operator
Explanation: 14 CFR 91.3 states the pilot in command (PIC) is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. The PIC may deviate from any rule to the extent required to meet an in-flight emergency.
2A private pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating allows the holder to act as pilot in command of a helicopter carrying passengers when the flight is conducted for what purpose?
A.For compensation or hire on demand
B.Not for compensation or hire, except limited cost-sharing
C.As an air carrier operation
D.For aerial application for hire
Explanation: Per 14 CFR 61.113, a private pilot may not act as PIC of an aircraft carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire. A private pilot may share operating expenses pro rata with passengers (fuel, oil, airport expenditures, rental fees).
3Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, what is the minimum safe altitude for a helicopter over a congested area under 14 CFR 91.119?
A.500 feet above the surface
B.1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet horizontally
C.An altitude allowing emergency landing without undue hazard, if operated without hazard to persons or property
D.2,000 feet above ground level
Explanation: 14 CFR 91.119(d) allows a helicopter to be operated at less than the minimums for fixed-wing aircraft if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface, and the pilot complies with any FAA-prescribed routes or altitudes for helicopters.
4What is the basic VFR weather minimum for flight visibility and distance from clouds in Class G airspace at 1,200 feet AGL or less, during the day (helicopter, not special VFR)?
A.3 statute miles visibility and clear of clouds
B.1 statute mile visibility; 500 ft below, 1,000 ft above, 2,000 ft horizontal from clouds
C.No minimums apply in Class G
D.1 statute mile visibility and clear of clouds
Explanation: Per 14 CFR 91.155, in Class G airspace at or below 1,200 feet AGL during the day, the basic minimums are 1 statute mile flight visibility and remaining clear of clouds. Helicopters have additional reduced-visibility allowances at night when operated at a speed allowing adequate opportunity to see and avoid obstructions.
5What document must a pilot have in personal possession or readily accessible in the aircraft while acting as pilot in command?
A.A pilot certificate, photo identification, and a current medical certificate (when required)
B.A current sectional chart
C.A logbook showing all flight time
D.A notarized copy of the airworthiness certificate
Explanation: 14 CFR 61.3 requires the pilot to have a valid pilot certificate, government-issued photo ID, and (when required for the operation) a current medical certificate or appropriate authorization in personal possession or readily accessible in the aircraft.
6To carry passengers, a pilot must have made how many takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days under 14 CFR 61.57?
A.One takeoff and one landing
B.Three takeoffs and three landings
C.Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop in all cases
D.Six instrument approaches
Explanation: 14 CFR 61.57 requires three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required) to carry passengers. For tailwheel airplanes the landings must be to a full stop, but helicopters do not have that full-stop tailwheel requirement.
7What is the maximum indicated airspeed for an aircraft operating in Class C or Class D airspace at or below 2,500 feet AGL within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport?
A.250 knots
B.230 knots
C.200 knots
D.156 knots
Explanation: 14 CFR 91.117(b) limits aircraft to 200 knots indicated airspeed at or below 2,500 feet AGL within 4 nautical miles of the primary airport of Class C or Class D airspace. This protects the busy traffic pattern environment.
8Two-way radio communication must be established with ATC prior to entering which class of airspace?
A.Class G
B.Class E below 1,200 feet AGL
C.Class A only
D.Class D
Explanation: Class D airspace requires the pilot to establish two-way radio communication with the controlling ATC facility before entering. Class B and Class C also require communication (and Class B requires an explicit clearance).
9Within how many nautical miles of the airport reference point is the standard Class B airspace mode C (transponder) requirement and the 30-NM 'Mode C veil' applied?
A.30 nautical miles from the Class B primary airport
B.10 nautical miles
C.20 nautical miles
D.50 nautical miles
Explanation: 14 CFR 91.215 establishes a Mode C veil within 30 nautical miles of the primary airport of certain Class B airspace areas, from the surface up to 10,000 feet MSL, requiring an operable transponder with altitude reporting.
10When operating under VFR in level cruising flight more than 3,000 feet AGL on a magnetic course of 0 to 179 degrees, what altitude should be flown?
A.Even thousands MSL plus 500 feet
B.Odd thousands MSL plus 500 feet
C.Any VFR altitude
D.Even thousands MSL
Explanation: 14 CFR 91.159 requires VFR cruising altitudes more than 3,000 feet AGL: on a magnetic course of 0 to 179 degrees, fly odd thousands MSL plus 500 feet (e.g., 3,500; 5,500; 7,500).

About the FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter (PRH) Exam

The FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter Knowledge Test (PRH) is the airman knowledge test required for the private pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating. It covers federal aviation regulations and airspace, helicopter aerodynamics, aviation weather, helicopter systems and powerplant, performance and weight and balance, navigation, and aeromedical and human factors.

Assessment

60 multiple-choice, 2.5 hours, 70% to pass, computer-based via PSI (official FAA PRH test); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items

Time Limit

2.5 hours

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

~$175 (PSI testing fee) (Federal Aviation Administration (FAA))

FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter (PRH) Exam Content Outline

22%

Federal Aviation Regulations & Airspace

14 CFR Part 61 and Part 91, pilot in command authority, private pilot privileges and limitations, recency of experience, medical and document requirements, airspace classes, VFR weather minimums, right-of-way rules, and required equipment/inspections.

20%

Helicopter Aerodynamics

Rotor system theory, dissymmetry of lift, translating tendency, translational lift and ETL, settling with power and vortex ring state, retreating blade stall, ground effect, autorotation, gyroscopic precession, Coriolis effect, dynamic rollover, and ground resonance.

18%

Aviation Weather

Weather theory, the standard atmosphere, fronts and stability, thunderstorms, icing, fog, temperature inversions, wind shear and microbursts, METAR/TAF interpretation, PIREPs, SIGMET/AIRMET, and graphical forecast products.

12%

Helicopter Systems & Powerplant

Main and tail rotor, transmission and freewheeling unit, swashplate, collective and cyclic, governor and correlator, hydraulic flight control assist, and primary flight instruments.

12%

Performance & Weight and Balance

Hover in and out of ground effect, the height-velocity diagram, density altitude and pressure altitude, gross weight and CG effects, confined-area and pinnacle considerations, and weight-and-balance computations.

10%

Navigation & Cross-Country Planning

Pilotage and dead reckoning, true/magnetic/compass heading conversions, VOR navigation, wind correction angle, time and fuel computations, and 14 CFR 91.151 VFR fuel reserves for rotorcraft.

6%

Aeromedical, Human Factors & ADM

Hypoxia, hyperventilation, spatial disorientation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and aeronautical decision making using PAVE, IMSAFE, and personal minimums.

How to Pass the FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter (PRH) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 60 multiple-choice, 2.5 hours, 70% to pass, computer-based via PSI (official FAA PRH test); this practice bank is 100 selected-response items
  • Time limit: 2.5 hours
  • Exam fee: ~$175 (PSI testing fee)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

FAA Private Pilot — Helicopter (PRH) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Weight your study time toward regulations/airspace and helicopter aerodynamics, which together make up the largest share of PRH knowledge areas.
2Master the high-risk aerodynamic phenomena cold: vortex ring state, retreating blade stall, dynamic rollover, loss of tail rotor effectiveness, and autorotation entries and recoveries.
3Practice density altitude and weight-and-balance computations by hand so the math is automatic under the 2.5-hour time limit.
4Learn to decode METARs and TAFs symbol by symbol and connect weather hazards to helicopter-specific risks like rotor icing and low-level wind shear.
5Use the height-velocity diagram and HIGE versus HOGE concepts to reason through confined-area and pinnacle scenarios rather than memorizing answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA PRH knowledge test?

PRH is the FAA airman knowledge test code for the Private Pilot Rotorcraft–Helicopter certificate. It is a computer-delivered multiple-choice exam that tests regulations, airspace, helicopter aerodynamics, weather, systems, performance, navigation, and aeromedical factors before you take the practical test.

How many questions are on the FAA PRH test and how much time do I get?

The official FAA PRH knowledge test is 60 multiple-choice questions with a 2.5-hour time limit. This free practice bank provides 100 selected-response questions so you can practice well beyond the official question count and target weak areas.

What score do I need to pass the FAA PRH knowledge test?

You must score at least 70% to pass the FAA PRH knowledge test. A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months, within which you must complete the private pilot rotorcraft–helicopter practical test.

How much does the FAA PRH knowledge test cost and where is it given?

The knowledge test is administered at FAA-authorized PSI testing centers for approximately a $175 testing fee. You must present an acceptable instructor endorsement or course-completion authorization and a government photo ID to test.

What do I need before I can take the FAA PRH knowledge test?

Under 14 CFR Part 61 you generally need to be at least 17 for the certificate, be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and hold an instructor endorsement (or approved course completion) for the knowledge test. Confirm current requirements with your CFI and the FAA before scheduling.