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100+ Free FAA IRH Knowledge Test — Instrument Rating Helicopter Practice Questions

Prepare for the FAA Instrument Rating Helicopter Knowledge Test (Test Code: IRH) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: FAA IRH Knowledge Test — Instrument Rating Helicopter Exam

IRH

Test Code

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

60 Questions

Official Question Count

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

2 Hours (120 Min)

Time Limit

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

70%

Passing Score

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

Prepare for the FAA IRH Instrument Rating Helicopter Knowledge Test with 100 practice questions covering FAA Part 61/91 IFR rules, helicopter flight instruments, navigation, aviation weather, COPTER IFR procedures, and flight performance calculations. Official exam consists of 60 questions with a 2-hour time limit and 70% passing threshold.

Sample FAA IRH Knowledge Test — Instrument Rating Helicopter Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FAA IRH Knowledge Test — Instrument Rating Helicopter exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1To act as pilot-in-command of a helicopter under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR, what recency of experience must a pilot accomplish within the preceding 6 calendar months?
A.3 instrument approaches, 1 holding procedure, and course intercepting/tracking in a powered aircraft
B.6 instrument approaches, holding procedures and tasks, and intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation electronic systems
C.6 hours of instrument flight time including 3 approaches in a helicopter
D.12 instrument approaches and 6 hours of instrument flight time in the same category and class of aircraft
Explanation: According to 14 CFR Part 61.57(c)(1), to maintain instrument recency of experience within the preceding 6 calendar months, a pilot must perform at least 6 instrument approaches, holding procedures and tasks, and intercepting and tracking courses through the use of navigation electronic systems in an aircraft, flight simulator, or flight training device.
2Under 14 CFR Part 91.167, what is the minimum required IFR fuel reserve for a rotorcraft after reaching the destination or alternate airport?
A.20 minutes at normal cruising speed
B.30 minutes at normal cruising speed
C.45 minutes at normal cruising speed
D.60 minutes at normal cruising speed
Explanation: Per 14 CFR Part 91.167(a)(3), no person may operate a rotorcraft in IFR conditions unless it carries enough fuel to complete the flight to the first port of intended landing, fly from that airport to the alternate airport (if required), and fly thereafter for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed.
3What standard IFR takeoff visibility minimum applies to a helicopter operating under 14 CFR Part 91 from an airport without published takeoff minimums?
A.1/2 statute mile visibility
B.1 statute mile visibility
C.No takeoff visibility minimum is required by Part 91 for civil helicopter operations
D.2 statute miles visibility and a 400-foot ceiling
Explanation: Under 14 CFR Part 91.175(f), standard takeoff minimums apply only to commercial operators (Part 121, 125, 129, or 135). For non-commercial flights conducted under Part 91, there are no statutory takeoff visibility minimums unless specific departure procedures or airport minimums are published.
4Under 14 CFR Part 91.169, when is an alternate airport NOT required for a helicopter IFR flight plan?
A.When the destination airport has a published precision approach regardless of weather
B.When weather forecasts indicate for at least 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA the ceiling will be at least 1,000 feet above airport elevation (or 400 feet above the lowest applicable MDA/DA) and visibility at least 2 SM
C.When weather forecasts indicate for 2 hours before to 2 hours after ETA the ceiling will be at least 1,500 feet AGL and visibility 3 SM
D.When the helicopter is equipped with dual VOR and dual GPS navigation receivers
Explanation: Under 14 CFR Part 91.169(b)(2), no alternate airport is required for a helicopter if weather reports and forecasts indicate that for at least 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA, the ceiling will be at least 1,000 feet above airport elevation, or 400 feet above the lowest applicable MDA/DA (whichever is higher), and the visibility will be at least 2 statute miles.
5Which instrument or equipment is required by 14 CFR 91.205(d) for IFR flight, in addition to standard VFR day and night equipment?
A.Radar altimeter
B.Slip-skid indicator (ball)
C.Autopilot with altitude hold
D.Ground proximity warning system (GPWS)
Explanation: 14 CFR Part 91.205(d) mandates specific equipment for IFR flight (often remembered by GRABCARD), which includes a generator or alternator, radios/navigation equipment, sensitive altimeter, slip-skid indicator (ball), clock with sweep second hand or digital display, attitude indicator, rate-of-turn indicator, and directional gyro/heading indicator.
6How often must an operational check of the VOR equipment be conducted and logged for IFR flight under 14 CFR Part 91.171?
A.Within the preceding 30 days
B.Within the preceding 60 days
C.During each annual inspection
D.Within the preceding 100 hours of flight time
Explanation: According to 14 CFR Part 91.171(a), no person may operate an aircraft under IFR using the VOR system of radio navigation unless the VOR equipment has been operationally checked within the preceding 30 days and found to be within permissible limits.
7When operating on an IFR flight plan with a 'VFR-on-Top' clearance, the pilot must maintain which cruising altitude?
A.An assigned IFR altitude provided by ATC at all times
B.An appropriate VFR cruising altitude based on magnetic course
C.Any altitude selected by the pilot as long as it is an even thousand feet MSL
D.At least 500 feet above the cloud layer regardless of direction of flight
Explanation: When operating VFR-on-Top, pilots are on an IFR flight plan but must select and fly an appropriate VFR cruising altitude based on magnetic course (14 CFR 91.179), comply with VFR cloud clearance requirements (14 CFR 91.155), and comply with applicable IFR reporting rules.
8Under 14 CFR 91.109, what certification and rating must a safety pilot hold when accompanying a pilot manipulating the controls during simulated instrument flight?
A.A Certified Flight Instructor Instrument rating
B.At least a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument rating
C.At least a Private Pilot Certificate with category and class ratings appropriate to the aircraft being flown
D.An Airline Transport Pilot Certificate
Explanation: 14 CFR Part 91.109(c) requires that the safety pilot hold at least a Private Pilot Certificate with category and class ratings appropriate to the aircraft being flown (e.g., Rotorcraft-Helicopter). The safety pilot must also hold an appropriate current medical certificate.
9Which report is required to be made to ATC at all times without a specific request, even when radar contact is established?
A.Passing each compulsory reporting point shown on enroute charts
B.Vacating any previously assigned altitude or flight level
C.Reaching a assigned VOR radial
D.Fuel burn rate updates every 30 minutes
Explanation: According to AIM Paragraph 5-3-3, pilots must report vacating any previously assigned altitude or flight level to ATC immediately without a specific request, regardless of whether radar contact is established.
10If the static port becomes completely blocked during IFR flight while the pitot tube remains open, how will the altimeter and vertical speed indicator react during a climb?
A.Altimeter continues to climb; VSI indicates a continuous descent
B.Altimeter freezes at the altitude where blockage occurred; VSI indicates zero
C.Altimeter indicates zero altitude; VSI freezes at maximum climb rate
D.Altimeter and VSI both fluctuate rapidly between upper and lower limits
Explanation: When the static source is blocked, trapped static pressure prevents the altimeter from detecting ambient pressure changes, causing it to freeze at the altitude where the blockage occurred. The VSI relies on static pressure bleeding through a calibrated orifice, so with no static pressure change, it returns to zero.

About the FAA IRH Knowledge Test — Instrument Rating Helicopter Exam

The FAA IRH Knowledge Test evaluates the aeronautical knowledge required to obtain an Instrument Rating with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating. Topics covered include FAA Part 61 and Part 91 IFR regulations, pitot-static and gyroscopic flight instruments, spatial disorientation, VOR/GPS navigation, airways, ATC clearances, aviation weather reports/forecasts, helicopter IFR flight planning, density altitude, weight and balance, COPTER instrument approach procedures, and Point-in-Space (PinS) operations.

Assessment

60 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering FAA regulations, flight instruments, navigation, weather, helicopter IFR performance, and COPTER approach procedures.

Time Limit

2 hours (120 minutes)

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

$175 (Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) / PSI Services)

FAA IRH Knowledge Test — Instrument Rating Helicopter Exam Content Outline

25%

FAA Regulations & IFR Operational Requirements

14 CFR Part 61 instrument rating recency, Part 91 IFR fuel reserves, IFR alternate airport requirements, equipment mandates (GRABCARD), and mandatory ATC reporting.

25%

Helicopter Instrument Flying & Aerodynamics

Rotorcraft attitude instrument flying, pitot-static and gyroscopic system errors, spatial disorientation, vortex ring state during instrument approaches, and autorotation in IMC.

25%

Navigation Systems, Airspace & ATC Procedures

VOR, HSI, DME, ILS, RNAV/GPS, WAAS procedures, hold entries, holding patterns, VOR radial intercepts, air traffic control clearances, and Lost Comm procedures.

25%

Helicopter IFR Approaches & Performance Calculations

Standard vs. COPTER instrument approaches, Point-in-Space (PinS) proceed VFR/IFR segments, descent rates for COPTER approaches, density altitude, wind drift, and fuel burn.

How to Pass the FAA IRH Knowledge Test — Instrument Rating Helicopter Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 60 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering FAA regulations, flight instruments, navigation, weather, helicopter IFR performance, and COPTER approach procedures.
  • Time limit: 2 hours (120 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 IRH Knowledge Test — Instrument Rating Helicopter Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize 14 CFR Part 91.167 rotorcraft IFR fuel requirements: enough fuel to fly to destination, alternate (if required), plus 30 minutes at normal cruise speed.
2Understand COPTER approach constraints: maximum initial/intermediate airspeed 90 KIAS, final approach segment maximum 70 KIAS (unless otherwise published).
3Learn Point-in-Space (PinS) procedures: 'Proceed VFR' vs 'Proceed Visual' segments from the MAP to the landing location.
4Master numerical calculations for helicopter groundspeed, descent rate (FT/MIN = Groundspeed x 5.3 for 3-degree GS, or specific rate formula), density altitude, and VOR radial intercept time/distance.
5Review Part 91.169 helicopter alternate airport weather minimums: published alternate minimums, or ceiling 200 ft above approach minimums and visibility at least 1 SM.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA IRH Knowledge Test?

The FAA IRH test is the official computer-based knowledge exam required to earn an Instrument Rating on a FAA Rotorcraft-Helicopter pilot certificate.

How many questions are on the official FAA IRH exam and what is the passing score?

The official IRH exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour (120 minutes) time limit. A score of 70% or higher (at least 42 correct answers) is required to pass.

What are the prerequisites to take the FAA IRH exam?

Candidates must hold a Private Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating.

What key helicopter-specific IFR topics are tested on the IRH exam?

The exam tests Part 91 helicopter IFR fuel reserves (30 minutes), alternate airport ceiling/visibility requirements (200 ft above minimums / 1 SM), COPTER approach speed limits (90 KIAS initial/intermediate, 70 KIAS final), Point-in-Space (PinS) approach procedures, and helicopter-specific MDA/DA category visibility reductions.