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100+ Free FAA RPG Knowledge Test — Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Practice Questions

Prepare for the FAA Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Knowledge Test (Test Code: RPG) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: FAA RPG Knowledge Test — Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Exam

RPG

Test Code

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix

50 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 RPG Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Knowledge Test with 100 practice questions covering 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart D regulations, gyroplane aerodynamics, autorotation rotor dynamics, airspace, weather minimums, and performance calculations. Test consists of 50 questions with a 2-hour limit and 70% passing threshold.

Sample FAA RPG Knowledge Test — Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your FAA RPG Knowledge Test — Recreational Pilot Gyroplane 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 § 61.101, what is the maximum number of passengers a recreational pilot is permitted to carry on board a gyroplane?
A.Not more than one passenger
B.Not more than two passengers
C.Not more than three passengers
D.Up to the certified seating capacity of the gyroplane
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.101(e)(1), a recreational pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying more than one passenger. This limitation applies regardless of the aircraft's physical seating capacity.
2Under 14 CFR § 61.101, what flight visibility minimum must a recreational pilot maintain when operating a gyroplane during daylight hours?
A.1 statute mile
B.3 statute miles
C.5 statute miles
D.3 nautical miles
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.101(e)(2), a recreational pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft when the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles during daylight hours. This rule overrides lower Class G airspace visibility minimums for recreational pilots.
3What is the maximum operating altitude permitted for a recreational pilot under 14 CFR § 61.101 without special authorization?
A.14,000 feet MSL
B.12,500 feet MSL
C.10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher
D.18,000 feet MSL (the base of Class A airspace)
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.101(e)(6), a recreational pilot may not act as pilot in command at an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher.
4According to 14 CFR § 61.101, during what time periods is a recreational pilot prohibited from acting as pilot in command of an aircraft?
A.Between sunset and sunrise
B.Only between midnight and 0600 local time
C.During any period when Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) are in effect at the departure airport
D.Between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight
Explanation: Section 61.101(e)(6) bars a recreational pilot from acting as pilot in command between sunset and sunrise. Note the wording: the rule uses sunset and sunrise, not the § 1.1 definition of night, so the recreational pilot's window closes earlier in the evening and opens later in the morning than the definition of night would suggest.
5Unless a recreational pilot receives specific cross-country flight training and a logbook endorsement under 14 CFR § 61.101(c), what is the maximum distance from the departure airport they may fly?
A.15 nautical miles
B.25 nautical miles
C.100 nautical miles
D.50 nautical miles
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.101(c), a recreational pilot may not act as pilot in command on a flight beyond 50 nautical miles from the airport where the aircraft is normally based without obtaining specific solo cross-country training and a CFI logbook endorsement.
6In a gyroplane, how is lift continuously generated by the main rotor system during normal cruise flight?
A.The main rotor is driven directly by a shaft connected to the engine
B.Upward airflow through the rotor disk causes the blades to autorotate
C.Compressed air jets located at the rotor blade tips drive the rotor system
D.Forward movement forces air downward over the rotor disk like a fixed wing
Explanation: In a gyroplane, the main rotor is not connected to the engine during flight. Airflow moves upward through the tilted rotor disk as the aircraft moves forward, causing the rotor blades to autorotate independently and produce lift.
7What is the primary function of the mechanical prerotator system installed on a gyroplane?
A.To spin the main rotor up to operating RPM prior to starting the takeoff roll
B.To provide auxiliary engine power to the rotor during steep climbs
C.To prevent retreating blade stall at high forward airspeeds
D.To lock the main rotor blades in position during parking and taxiing
Explanation: The mechanical prerotator uses engine power to spin up the main rotor while the gyroplane is stationary or taxied slowly. This reaches sufficient rotor RPM to begin the takeoff roll without excessive ground run or rotor blade flapping.
8What component provides forward propulsive thrust in a conventional gyroplane?
A.The main rotor head tilted forward
B.A tail rotor driven by an electric motor
C.An engine-driven pusher or tractor propeller
D.Exhaust thrust from the engine manifold
Explanation: A conventional gyroplane uses an engine-driven propeller (either in a pusher or tractor configuration) to generate horizontal forward thrust. Forward motion pushes air through the main rotor disk to sustain autorotation.
9What is the minimum FAA medical certificate required for a pilot exercising the privileges of a Recreational Pilot Certificate in a gyroplane?
A.First-Class Medical Certificate
B.Third-Class Medical Certificate (or valid U.S. driver's license under BasicMed)
C.Second-Class Medical Certificate
D.No medical certificate or driver's license is required
Explanation: Under 14 CFR § 61.23(a)(3), a pilot exercising recreational pilot privileges must hold at least a Third-Class Medical Certificate, or meet the qualification and operating limits of BasicMed (§ 61.23(c)(3)).
10Under 14 CFR § 91.151, what is the minimum VFR day fuel reserve required for a rotorcraft (including gyroplanes)?
A.At least 30 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
B.At least 45 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
C.At least 20 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
D.At least 60 minutes of fuel at normal cruising speed
Explanation: Rotorcraft have their own paragraph. Section 91.151(b) requires enough fuel to reach the first point of intended landing and, at normal cruising speed, to fly for at least 20 minutes after that, day or night. The 30 and 45-minute figures in § 91.151(a) apply to airplanes.

About the FAA RPG Knowledge Test — Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Exam

The FAA RPG Knowledge Test is the official FAA written exam for airmen seeking a Recreational Pilot Certificate with a Gyroplane rating under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart D. The exam evaluates knowledge of recreational pilot privileges and limitations, gyroplane autorotation physics, prerotation system operation, zero-G low-G hazards, airport operations, airspace classification, VFR weather minimums, weight & balance, and emergency autorotative landings.

Assessment

50 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart D regulations, gyroplane aerodynamics, autorotation, airspace, weather minimums, and performance calculations.

Time Limit

2 hours (120 minutes)

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

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

FAA RPG Knowledge Test — Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Exam Content Outline

30%

14 CFR Part 61 Subpart D & Regulations

Recreational pilot privileges, limitations, passenger carriage, airspace restrictions, medical certificate requirements, flight review, and logbook endorsements.

25%

Gyroplane Aerodynamics & Rotor Physics

Rotor autorotation, driving vs. driven regions, prerotation system operations, rotor blade flapping, ground effect, retreat blade stall, and zero-G low-G mast bumping hazards.

25%

Airport Operations, Airspace & Navigation

Class B, C, D, E, and G airspace rules, VFR weather minimums, airport traffic patterns, tower communications, radio phraseology, VFR charts, and magnetic compass navigation.

20%

Flight Performance, Weight & Balance, & Emergency Procedures

Density altitude, crosswind components, weight and balance CG limits, fuel burn calculations, emergency engine-out autorotation glide, and pitch oscillation recovery.

How to Pass the FAA RPG Knowledge Test — Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 70%
  • Assessment: 50 multiple-choice questions administered via computer at PSI testing centers covering 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart D regulations, gyroplane aerodynamics, autorotation, airspace, weather minimums, and performance calculations.
  • 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 RPG Knowledge Test — Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Study Tips from Top Performers

1Understand the key differences between gyroplane autorotation (upward airflow through main rotor) and helicopter powered rotor flight.
2Master the mechanics of prerotation and why prerotation is used on takeoff to bring rotor RPM up before roll-out.
3Memorize 14 CFR § 61.101 privileges and limitations, including passenger limit (1 passenger max), flight visibility (3 SM min day), and airspace communication endorsements.
4Learn the dangerous effects of low-G or zero-G cyclic pushover conditions, High Thrust Line (HTL) pitch oscillations, and the correct recovery technique (pull back cyclic to reload rotor).
5Practice numerical calculations for density altitude, crosswind component vectors, weight & balance center of gravity, and VFR fuel reserves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FAA RPG Knowledge Test?

The FAA RPG Knowledge Test is the mandatory FAA computer-based written exam for obtaining a Recreational Pilot Certificate with a Gyroplane rating under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart D.

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

The official exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions with a 2-hour (120 minutes) time limit. The passing score is 70% (at least 35 correct answers out of 50).

What passenger limitations apply to a Recreational Pilot operating a gyroplane?

Under 14 CFR § 61.101, a recreational pilot may carry no more than one passenger, may not fly for compensation or hire, and must pay at least their pro rata share of operating expenses.

What are the primary operational restrictions for recreational pilots?

Recreational pilots may not fly at night, above 10,000 ft MSL (or 2,000 ft AGL, whichever is higher), in flight visibility less than 3 statute miles, or beyond 50 NM from the takeoff airport without specific instructor cross-country logbook endorsements.