100+ Free CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft Practice Questions

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Key Facts: CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft Exam

90 Mins

Time limit for the Aspeq CBT examination.

CAA NZ / Aspeq Exam Rules

70%

Minimum passing grade required by CAA NZ.

CAA NZ Part 66 Syllabus

$108 NZD

Examination sitting fee.

Aspeq Fee Schedule

3 Topics

Core syllabus areas: Aerodynamics, Rotor Systems, Transmissions.

CAA NZ AC66-2.7 Subject 7

100 Qs

Comprehensive OpenExamPrep practice question bank.

OpenExamPrep Bank

The CAA NZ AME Rotorcraft (Subject 7) exam is a 90-minute Aspeq CBT exam requiring 70% to verify maintenance competence on rotorcraft aerodynamics, hubs, flight controls, tail rotors, and transmissions.

Sample CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What aerodynamic phenomenon causes a helicopter main rotor disc to experience unequal lift between the advancing blade and retreating blade in forward flight?

A.Dissymmetry of lift

B.Translational lift

C.Vortex ring state

D.Transverse flow effect

Explanation: Dissymmetry of lift is created in forward flight by the difference in relative wind speed across the rotor disc: the advancing blade encounters rotor tip speed plus aircraft forward speed, while the retreating blade encounters rotor tip speed minus forward speed, creating a lift imbalance if uncompensated.

2What is the primary function of the swashplate assembly in a helicopter flight control system?

A.To transfer control movements from the non-rotating flight controls to the rotating main rotor blades

B.To automatically disengage the engine from the rotor transmission during autorotation

C.To balance anti-torque forces between the tail rotor and main rotor gearbox

D.To dampen high-frequency lead-lag vibrations produced by the rotor blades

Explanation: The swashplate assembly translates non-rotating flight control inputs (from cyclic and collective linkages) into rotating control inputs that alter main rotor blade pitch angles via rotating pitch links.

3What is the primary aerodynamic purpose of a conventional tail rotor on a single main rotor helicopter?

A.To counteract main rotor torque reaction and provide directional yaw control

B.To generate forward thrust for high-speed cruise flight

C.To prevent mast bumping during low-G flight maneuvers

D.To equalize aerodynamic lift between advancing and retreating main rotor blades

Explanation: In accordance with Newton's third law, the main rotor creates a torque reaction driving the fuselage in the opposite direction. The tail rotor produces horizontal thrust to counteract this torque and allow heading control (yaw).

4In helicopter rotor dynamics, what is defined as the upward and downward vertical movement of a rotor blade about a horizontal hinge pin?

A.Flapping

B.Feathering

C.Lead-lag hunting

D.Coning

Explanation: Flapping is the up-and-down motion of a rotor blade around a horizontal flapping hinge (or flexible element), allowing the blade to automatically adjust its angle of attack and compensate for dissymmetry of lift.

5Which flight condition describes a helicopter descending without engine power, where the main rotor is turned solely by upward airflow through the rotor disc?

A.Autorotation

B.Vortex ring state

C.Ground effect hover

D.Translational flight

Explanation: Autorotation is an unpowered flight state where upward relative airflow passing through the rotor disc creates aerodynamic forces that maintain main rotor RPM, permitting a controlled glide and safe landing.

6What component automatically disconnects the engine from the main rotor drive system during an engine failure to allow autorotation?

A.Freewheeling unit (sprag clutch)

B.Main gearbox epicyclic gear train

C.Swashplate rotating uniball

D.Hydraulic rotor brake assembly

Explanation: The freewheeling unit (or sprag clutch) automatically disengages the engine from the main rotor transmission whenever engine RPM falls below rotor RPM, allowing the rotor system to turn freely.

7What is the term for rotating a main rotor blade around its spanwise longitudinal axis to change its pitch angle?

A.Feathering

B.Flapping

C.Lead-lagging

D.Precession

Explanation: Feathering refers to changing the blade pitch angle about its longitudinal axis, controlled directly by collective and cyclic inputs through the pitch change links.

8Which type of main rotor hub features two blades rigidly attached to a central hub that pivots on a single teetering hinge pin?

A.Semi-rigid teetering rotor hub

B.Fully articulated rotor hub

C.Bearingless rigid rotor hub

D.Multi-blade tandem rotor hub

Explanation: A semi-rigid teetering rotor hub uses two blades fixed to a common structure that tilts (teeters) as a single unit around a teetering hinge, like a see-saw.

9What primary aerodynamic effect reduces induced drag and power required when hovering close to the ground?

A.In-Ground Effect (IGE)

B.Out-of-Ground Effect (OGE)

C.Vortex ring state

D.Retreating blade stall

Explanation: In-Ground Effect (IGE) occurs near the ground where surface restriction reduces rotor downwash velocity and wingtip vortices, decreasing induced flow and induced drag, thus reducing power required to hover.

10What is the primary function of a helicopter rotor brake system?

A.To decelerate and stop the main and tail rotors after engine shutdown

B.To adjust main rotor RPM during high-speed cruise flight

C.To prevent tail rotor rotation during autorotative landings

D.To lock the swashplate assembly in a neutral position during pitch tracking

Explanation: The rotor brake uses a hydraulic or mechanical caliper on a drive shaft disc to safely bring the rotor system to a complete stop after shutdown and prevent wind-milling on the ground.

About the CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft Exam

The CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft (Subject 7) evaluates aircraft maintenance engineer candidates on helicopter aerodynamics, flight dynamics, main rotor systems, flight control mechanisms, tail rotor systems, transmission systems, drive shafts, and clutch assemblies. Key examination topics include main rotor blade aerodynamics, flapping, feathering, lead-lag motion, dissymmetry of lift, autorotation physics, in-ground and out-of-ground effect, vortex ring state (settling with power), fully articulated, semi-rigid teetering, and rigid rotor hub construction, swashplate assemblies, cyclic and collective control linkages, pitch control links, lead-lag damper systems, anti-torque tail rotors, NOTAR, fenestron, main gearbox (MGB) reduction drives, tail rotor drive shafts, freewheeling unit (sprag clutch), and rotor brake systems.

Assessment

Computer-based examination administered by Aspeq in a 90-minute session.

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$108 NZD (Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (exams via Aspeq))

CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft Exam Content Outline

35%

Helicopter Aerodynamics & Flight Dynamics

Main rotor blade aerodynamics, flapping, feathering, lead-lag, dissymmetry of lift, autorotation physics, ground effect, and vortex ring state.

35%

Main Rotor Systems & Controls

Fully articulated, semi-rigid teetering, and rigid rotor hubs, swashplate assembly, collective/cyclic pitch controls, pitch links, and dampers.

30%

Tail Rotor & Drive Systems

Anti-torque tail rotors, NOTAR, fenestron, main gearbox (MGB), tail rotor drive shafts, freewheeling unit / sprag clutch, and rotor brake.

How to Pass the CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Assessment: Computer-based examination administered by Aspeq in a 90-minute session.
Time limit: 90 minutes
Exam fee: $108 NZD

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the aerodynamic mechanics of dissymmetry of lift and how blade flapping automatically compensates for differences in relative wind speed between advancing and retreating blades.

2Understand the three distinct flow zones across the rotor disc during steady-state autorotation: driven region (outer), driving region (middle), and stall region (inner).

3Differentiate between fully articulated, semi-rigid teetering (underslung), and rigid rotor hubs regarding hinge design, Coriolis effect mitigation, and mast bumping risk.

4Study swashplate mechanics, including the stationary swashplate, rotating swashplate, uniball, torque scissors, and phase angle (gyroscopic precession) offset.

5Understand the operating principles of alternative anti-torque systems like the Fenestron (ducted fan) and NOTAR (circulation control using the Coanda effect).

6Review Main Gearbox (MGB) lubrication systems, epicyclic reduction gear sets, chip detectors, thermal switches, and sprag clutch overrunning mechanics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CAA NZ AME Licence Exam - Rotorcraft (Subject 7)?

It is a mandatory written examination administered by Aspeq on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand under AC66-2.7 for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers seeking rotorcraft license privileges.

What is the passing score and time limit for the Rotorcraft exam?

Candidates must achieve a score of at least 70% within the allotted 90-minute examination session.

What primary areas are examined in Subject 7?

The exam covers rotorcraft aerodynamics, flapping/feathering/lead-lag dynamics, autorotation, vortex ring state, articulated/teetering/rigid main rotor hubs, swashplate and control linkages, dampers, tail rotor dynamics, NOTAR, fenestron, MGB gear trains, sprag clutches, and rotor brakes.

How much is the examination fee and how is it booked?

The exam fee is $108 NZD per sitting, scheduled directly through the Aspeq Assessment Solutions online portal.

What is the role of the freewheeling unit (sprag clutch) in a helicopter?

The freewheeling unit automatically disengages the engine from the main rotor system if engine RPM drops below rotor RPM, allowing the rotor to rotate freely during autorotation.