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100+ Free FAA ATH Knowledge Test — Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: FAA ATH Knowledge Test — Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) Exam

80

Official Questions

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

3 hours

Time Limit

180 minutes allotted

70%

Passing Score

FAA passing standard

$175

Exam Fee

PSI Services testing fee

1,200 hrs

Total Flight Time

14 CFR 61.161 requirement

Part 135

Operating Rules

Air carrier rotorcraft operations

The FAA ATH (Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter — Part 135) Knowledge Test is an 80-question, 3-hour computer-based exam administered by PSI Services for candidates seeking an ATP certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating operating under 14 CFR Part 135. Passing requires a minimum score of 70%.

Sample FAA ATH Knowledge Test — Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FAA ATH Knowledge Test — Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An applicant for an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating must logged at least how many total hours of flight time as a pilot under 14 CFR 61.161?
A.1,500 hours
B.1,200 hours
C.1,000 hours
D.800 hours
Explanation: Under 14 CFR 61.161(a), a person applying for an airline transport pilot certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating must have logged at least 1,200 hours of total flight time as a pilot, including 500 hours of cross-country flight time, 100 hours of night flight time, and 75 hours of instrument flight time.
2Under 14 CFR § 135.243, which pilot certificate and ratings are the minimum for a pilot to act as pilot in command of a helicopter under IFR in an on-demand Part 135 passenger-carrying operation?
A.Commercial Pilot Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Instrument ratings, plus at least 1,200 hours of flight time
B.Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating
C.Commercial Pilot Certificate with 1,000 hours total flight time
D.Private Pilot Certificate with an Instrument rating and a Part 135 check ride
Explanation: 14 CFR § 135.243(c) is the IFR pilot-in-command rule: at least a commercial pilot certificate with the appropriate category and class ratings, an instrument rating, and at least 1,200 hours of flight time including 500 hours cross-country, 100 hours night (15 of them in helicopters if a helicopter is flown), and 75 hours of actual or simulated instrument time.
3Under 14 CFR 135.265 / 135.267, what is the maximum allowable scheduled flight time during any 24 consecutive hours for a single-pilot operating under Part 135 commercial charter?
A.6 hours
B.8 hours
C.10 hours
D.12 hours
Explanation: Under 14 CFR 135.267(b)(1), for single-pilot operations, the maximum scheduled flight time during any 24 consecutive hours is 8 hours, requiring a minimum of 10 consecutive hours of rest.
4What is the minimum flight visibility required under 14 CFR 135.205 for a helicopter operating under Day VFR in Class G airspace at an altitude of 1,200 feet AGL or less?
A.1/2 statute mile clear of clouds
B.1 statute mile and 500 feet below clouds
C.3 statute miles and 1,000 feet ceiling
D.1/4 statute mile and 200 feet clear of clouds
Explanation: Under 14 CFR 135.205(b), no person may operate a helicopter under VFR in Class G airspace at an altitude of 1,200 feet or less AGL unless flight visibility is at least 1/2 statute mile during daytime, provided the helicopter is operated clear of clouds.
5Under 14 CFR 135.223, what is the minimum required fuel supply for a helicopter operating under IFR conditions?
A.Fuel to complete the flight to the first airport of intended landing, fly to the alternate airport, and thereafter fly for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed
B.Fuel to fly to the destination, fly to the alternate, and thereafter fly for 45 minutes at holding speed
C.Fuel to fly to the destination and thereafter fly for 20 minutes at normal cruise speed if no alternate is required
D.Fuel to fly to the destination, plus 1 hour reserve regardless of alternate requirements
Explanation: 14 CFR 135.223(a) requires a helicopter operated in IFR conditions to carry enough fuel to complete the flight to the first airport of intended landing, fly from that airport to the alternate airport, and thereafter fly for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed.
6Under Part 135 operations and standard helicopter IFR Ops Specs (H105/14 CFR 135.221), an alternate airport is NOT required if weather reports and forecasts for the destination airport indicate that for 1 hour before to 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival, the ceiling will be at least:
A.1,000 feet above the lowest published MDA/DA or 1,500 feet AGL (whichever is higher), and visibility at least 2 SM or 1 SM above lowest visibility minimums
B.2,000 feet AGL and visibility at least 3 SM
C.1,000 feet above HAT and visibility at least 3 SM for 2 hours before to 2 hours after ETA
D.500 feet above published approach minimums and visibility at least 1/2 SM
Explanation: Under helicopter IFR operations (14 CFR 135.221 and Ops Spec H105), the alternate airport rule for helicopters requires an alternate unless weather reports indicate a ceiling of at least 1,000 feet above the lowest published MDA/DA (or 1,500 feet above airfield elevation) and visibility of 2 SM (or 1 SM above lowest minimums) from 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA.
7According to 14 CFR 135.181, a single-engine helicopter may carry passengers under IFR ONLY if which condition is met?
A.The flight path allows safe autorotative landing to the surface at all times, or the operation complies with FAA-approved engine reliability and emergency equipment specs
B.The helicopter carries dual independent main rotor systems
C.The flight is restricted to daytime Class G airspace only
D.The PIC holds an FAA Gold Seal Flight Instructor certificate
Explanation: 14 CFR 135.181 restricts passenger-carrying IFR or night operations in single-engine aircraft unless the weather/glide profile allows safe emergency autorotative landing to the surface or complies with approved engine reliability and equipment standards.
8Under 14 CFR 135.247, what recency of experience is required for a pilot to act as PIC of a helicopter carrying passengers?
A.At least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in a helicopter of the same category, class, and type within the preceding 90 days
B.At least 6 instrument approaches within the preceding 6 calendar months
C.At least 5 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 30 days
D.A complete 135.293 check ride within the preceding 30 days
Explanation: 14 CFR 135.247(a) requires that no certificate holder may use a pilot as PIC carrying passengers unless within the preceding 90 days that pilot has made at least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type.
9How often must a Part 135 PIC complete an instrument proficiency check under 14 CFR 135.297?
A.Every 6 calendar months
B.Every 12 calendar months
C.Every 24 calendar months
D.Every 90 days
Explanation: Under 14 CFR 135.297(a), no certificate holder may use a pilot as PIC under IFR unless that pilot has passed an instrument proficiency check within the preceding 6 calendar months.
10Under 14 CFR 135.167 and 135.183, emergency flotation gear and life rafts are required for extended over-water helicopter operations when flying beyond what distance from the nearest shoreline?
A.Beyond 50 nautical miles or 30 minutes flying time from shoreline (whichever is less)
B.Beyond 12 nautical miles from shoreline
C.Beyond 100 nautical miles from shoreline
D.Beyond 25 statute miles from shoreline
Explanation: Under 14 CFR 135.167 and 135.183, extended over-water helicopter operations requiring approved life rafts, pyrotechnic signaling devices, and flotation equipment apply when operating beyond 50 NM from the nearest shoreline or 30 minutes flying time.

About the FAA ATH Knowledge Test — Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) Exam

100 free FAA ATH knowledge test practice questions for 2026 with detailed explanations covering Part 135 air carrier rules, helicopter aerodynamics, turbine...

Questions

80 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours (180 minutes)

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$175 (Federal Aviation Administration (FAA))

FAA ATH Knowledge Test — Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) Exam Content Outline

30%

14 CFR Part 61 / Part 91 / Part 135 Air Carrier Regulations

Flight experience requirements under 14 CFR 61.161, Part 135 PIC requirements, flight crew rest and duty period limitations (135.265/267), VFR/IFR weather minimums, alternate airport selection, extended over-water rules, and HAA/HEMS Subpart L regulations.

25%

Advanced Helicopter Aerodynamics & Flight Mechanics

Vortex ring state (settling with power) and Vuichard recovery, loss of tail rotor effectiveness (LTE) azimuths, autorotative aerodynamics and flare technique, ground resonance, retreating blade stall, dissymmetry of lift, and mast bumping.

25%

Helicopter Systems, Turbine Engines, Fuel Management, Weight & Balance

Turboshaft engine mechanics, N1/N2 gas producer vs power turbine, FADEC, compressor stall recovery, transmission and sprag clutch, dual hydraulics, longitudinal/lateral CG calculations, fuel endurance reserves, and density altitude calculations.

20%

Instrument Flight Operations, COPTER RNAV/ILS Approaches, Advanced Aviation Meteorology

COPTER RNAV/ILS approach profiles, PinS VFR proceed rules, rate of descent on steep glidepaths, TK airways, IIMC recovery, microburst/wind shear, rotor icing hazards, and spatial disorientation.

How to Pass the FAA ATH Knowledge Test — Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Exam length: 80 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours (180 minutes)
  • Exam fee: $175

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

FAA ATH Knowledge Test — Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Prioritize 14 CFR Part 135 air carrier regulations, duty time limitations, and IFR weather/alternate minimums, as regulations make up 30% of the exam.
2Master advanced rotorcraft aerodynamics, specifically distinguishing recovery techniques for Vortex Ring State (Vuichard vs traditional) and critical wind azimuths for Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness (LTE).
3Practice multi-step weight and balance calculations for both longitudinal and lateral CG shifts, as well as density altitude and fuel reserve math.
4Review COPTER RNAV/ILS approach charts, focusing on steep glidepaths (up to 7.5°), Point-in-Space (PinS) proceed VFR rules, and maximum approach airspeeds.
5Take full-length 100-question practice exams under timed 3-hour conditions to build pacing and endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the FAA ATH exam?

The official FAA ATH Airman Knowledge Test contains 80 multiple-choice questions. Candidates are allotted 3 hours (180 minutes) to complete the test.

What score is required to pass the ATH exam?

A minimum passing score of 70% is required on the FAA ATH knowledge test.

How much does the FAA ATH knowledge test cost?

The official testing fee is $175, payable directly to PSI Services when registering.

What flight experience is required for the ATP Helicopter rating under 14 CFR 61.161?

Applicants must have at least 1,200 hours of total flight time as a pilot, including 500 hours of cross-country flight time, 100 hours of night flight time, and 75 hours of instrument flight time (at least 50 hours of which must be in actual or simulated flight in an aircraft).

What is the difference between the ATH and ATM FAA knowledge tests?

The ATH exam is specifically tailored for Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter applicants operating under 14 CFR Part 135, whereas the ATM exam covers Airline Transport Pilot Multiengine Airplane operations under 14 CFR Part 121.

Do I need an endorsement to take the FAA ATH exam?

Under 14 CFR 61.153, applicants meeting the age and flight experience requirements for the ATP certificate do not generally require a flight instructor logbook endorsement to take the initial ATP knowledge test, though graduation certification from an approved program may apply depending on operator specs.

Does the FAA publish topic weightings for the ATH knowledge test?

No. The FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix publishes the test code, question count, minimum age, allotted time and passing score, but no percentage breakdown by subject. The content outline and percentages shown on this page describe how this free practice bank distributes its questions across the knowledge areas drawn from the applicable FAA testing supplement, Airman Certification Standards or Practical Test Standards, and the FAA handbooks for this test.