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100+ Free FAA PHT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Practice Questions

Prepare for the FAA Private Pilot Helicopter/Recreational Pilot - Transition Knowledge Test (Test Code: PHT) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: FAA PHT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Exam

PHT

Test Code

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

30 Questions

Official Question Count

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

1.5 Hours (90 Min)

Time Limit

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

70%

Passing Score

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

Prepare for the FAA PHT Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Knowledge Test with 100 practice questions covering Part 61 rules, night flying, cross-country navigation, Class B/C/D airspace, helicopter aerodynamics, density altitude, and weight & balance. Test consists of 30 questions with a 90-minute limit and 70% passing score.

Sample FAA PHT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FAA PHT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Helicopter Transition 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 61, what is the minimum category and class rating required on an applicant's Recreational Pilot Certificate before attempting the Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Knowledge Test (PHT)?
A.Rotorcraft Category with a Helicopter Class Rating
B.Any Powered Aircraft Category Rating
C.Airplane Single-Engine Land Category Rating
D.Glider Category Rating
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.109(c), an applicant seeking to transition from a Recreational Pilot Certificate to a Private Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating must hold a Recreational Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft category and Helicopter class rating (or satisfy the rotorcraft flight experience requirements). The PHT knowledge test specifically evaluates transition aeronautical knowledge.
2To exercise the privileges of a Private Pilot Certificate in a helicopter, what is the minimum FAA medical certificate required for a 35-year-old pilot, and how long does it remain valid for private pilot privileges?
A.Third-Class Medical Certificate, valid for 60 calendar months
B.Third-Class Medical Certificate, valid for 24 calendar months
C.Second-Class Medical Certificate, valid for 12 calendar months
D.BasicMed declaration, valid for 12 calendar months
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.23(d), a Third-Class Medical Certificate is the minimum medical certificate required for private pilot operations. For a pilot under 40 years of age on the date of examination, it expires at the end of the 60th calendar month after the month of the examination date.
3Under 14 CFR § 91.209, during what period must position lights be turned on when operating a helicopter?
A.From sunset to sunrise
B.From 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise
C.From end of evening civil twilight to beginning of morning civil twilight
D.Whenever visibility is less than 3 statute miles
Explanation: 14 CFR § 91.209(a) explicitly mandates that no person may operate an aircraft during the period from sunset to sunrise unless it has lighted position lights.
4What is the minimum VFR fuel reserve requirement under 14 CFR § 91.151 for a helicopter flying during daytime conditions?
A.20 minutes at normal cruising speed
B.30 minutes at normal cruising speed
C.45 minutes at normal cruising speed
D.15 minutes at normal cruising speed
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 91.151(b), no person may begin a flight in a rotorcraft under VFR during daytime conditions unless considering wind and forecast weather, there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed, to fly after that for at least 20 minutes.
5Under 14 CFR § 91.151(b), what is the minimum VFR fuel reserve required for a rotorcraft operating at night?
A.30 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
B.20 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
C.45 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
D.60 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
Explanation: Section 91.151(b) states a single figure for rotorcraft, 20 minutes, with no day or night distinction. The 30 and 45-minute split belongs to § 91.151(a), which covers airplanes.
6To carry passengers at night as a Private Pilot Helicopter, 14 CFR § 61.57(b) requires that within the preceding 90 days, the pilot must have logged at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop in a helicopter during what specific time period?
A.Between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise
B.From sunset to sunrise
C.Between evening civil twilight and morning civil twilight
D.During official dark night hours declared by ATC
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.57(b), night passenger carrying recency requires 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop performed in the same category, class, and type (if required) between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise within the preceding 90 days.
7According to 14 CFR § 91.17, what is the maximum permissible blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for any person acting as a crewmember of a helicopter?
A.0.04 percent by weight
B.0.08 percent by weight
C.0.02 percent by weight
D.0.00 percent by weight
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 91.17(a)(4), no person may act or attempt to act as a crewmember of a civil aircraft while having 0.04 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood.
8What is the minimum elapsed time required by 14 CFR § 91.17 between the consumption of any alcoholic beverage and acting as a pilot in command of a helicopter?
A.8 hours
B.12 hours
C.24 hours
D.4 hours
Explanation: 14 CFR § 91.17(a)(1) prohibits any person from acting as a crewmember of a civil aircraft within 8 hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage ('8 hours bottle to throttle').
9Under 14 CFR § 91.119(d), how do minimum safe altitude regulations for helicopters differ from those for fixed-wing aircraft?
A.Helicopters may operate at less than prescribed minimum altitudes if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface.
B.Helicopters must always maintain at least 500 feet above the highest obstacle in non-congested areas.
C.Helicopters are exempt from all altitude minimums in Class B airspace.
D.Helicopters must maintain at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot radius over congested areas.
Explanation: 14 CFR § 91.119(d)(1) specifies that a helicopter may be operated at less than the minimum altitudes prescribed for airplanes if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface, and complies with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA.
10To maintain pilot-in-command privileges, a Private Pilot Helicopter must complete a flight review within how many calendar months?
A.24 calendar months
B.12 calendar months
C.36 calendar months
D.6 calendar months
Explanation: 14 CFR § 61.56(c) states that no person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft unless, within the preceding 24 calendar months, that person has accomplished a flight review in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated.

About the FAA PHT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Exam

The FAA PHT Knowledge Test is designed for pilots holding an FAA Recreational Pilot Certificate who wish to transition to a Private Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating. The exam focuses on topics required beyond the Recreational Pilot level, including night flight operations, cross-country navigation, Class B/C/D airspace operations, advanced helicopter aerodynamics, density altitude, and weight & balance calculations.

Assessment

30 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering regulations, airspace, helicopter aerodynamics, flight planning, weather, and performance.

Time Limit

1.5 hours (90 minutes)

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

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

FAA PHT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Exam Content Outline

25%

FAA Regulations & Transition Rules (14 CFR Part 61 & 91)

Recreational pilot privileges and limitations, Part 61 private pilot helicopter requirements, medical requirements, recency of experience, night flight rules, and equipment requirements.

25%

Airspace System, Tower & Flight Operations

Class A, B, C, D, E, and G airspace rules, cloud clearance and visibility minimums, Special VFR for helicopters, radio communications, transponder/ADS-B Out requirements, and ATC services.

25%

Helicopter Aerodynamics & Performance

Effective translational lift, transverse flow effect, vortex ring state (settling with power), retreating blade stall, ground effect (IGE vs OGE), autorotation glide performance, and height-velocity diagram.

25%

Cross-Country Navigation, Weather & Flight Calculations

VFR cross-country flight planning, pilotage, dead reckoning, VOR/GPS navigation, METAR/TAF weather reports, density altitude, wind drift/groundspeed calculations, and weight & balance CG calculations.

How to Pass the FAA PHT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 30 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering regulations, airspace, helicopter aerodynamics, flight planning, weather, and performance.
  • Time limit: 1.5 hours (90 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 PHT Knowledge Test — Private Pilot Helicopter Transition Study Tips from Top Performers

1Study 14 CFR Part 61 night flying requirements and recency rules (§ 61.57(b)), including night takeoff and landing requirements with a passenger.
2Master Class B, C, D airspace dimensions, entry communication requirements, transponder/ADS-B rules, and Special VFR cloud clearances for helicopters.
3Understand helicopter aerodynamic phenomena: effective translational lift (16-24 knots), transverse flow effect, vortex ring state criteria/recovery, retreating blade stall causes/recovery, and IGE vs OGE hover performance.
4Practice density altitude calculations using standard lapse rates (2°C/1,000 ft) and pressure altitude conversion, evaluating how high density altitude degrades hover performance.
5Solve numerical weight and balance problems involving gross weight, datum reference, arm, total moment, center of gravity (CG) limits, and ballast adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA PHT Knowledge Test?

The FAA PHT exam is the transition knowledge test for pilots holding an FAA Recreational Pilot Certificate who are upgrading to a Private Pilot Certificate with a Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating.

How many questions are on the PHT test and what is the time limit?

The official PHT exam has 30 computer-administered multiple-choice questions with a 1.5-hour (90-minute) time limit. The passing score is 70% (21 correct answers out of 30).

What specific topics are emphasized on the PHT transition exam?

The exam emphasizes areas not fully covered in the Recreational Pilot certificate: night operations, cross-country navigation, operations in Class B/C/D controlled airspace, helicopter aerodynamics (ETL, vortex ring state, autorotation, retreating blade stall), density altitude calculations, and weight & balance.

What logbook endorsement or authorization is required before taking the PHT exam?

Applicants must hold a Recreational Pilot Certificate and receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized flight instructor certifying they have completed the required ground instruction and are prepared for the PHT knowledge test.