Helicopter Private Pilot UPDATED Actual
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
How does best rate-of-climb speed (V_Y) differ from best angle-of-climb speed (V_X)? -
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- In a helicopter, climbing straight up (or very steeply) is neither
the safest nor the fastest way to gain altitude.
A helicopter flown at the best rate-of-climb speed (V_Y) obtains the greatest gain in altitude
over a given period of time. In other words, best rate-of-climb speed is the speed that gets
you the fastest altitude gain but it is not the steepest climb.
Best rate-of-climb speed is normally used during the climb after all obstacles have been
cleared and is usually maintained until reaching cruise altitude.
Angle of climb is a function of altitude gained over a given distance. The V_Y results in the
highest climb rate, but not the steepest climb angle, and may not be sufficient to clear
obstructions. The best angle of climb speed (V_X) depends upon
the power available. If there is a surplus of power available, the helicopter can climb
vertically, so V_X is zero.
What type of helicopter can you fly with your private pilot helicopter license? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔- Any helicopter up to 12,500 lbs. For Robinson helicopters you also need to
meet the requirements of SFAR 73. For other helicopters (over 12,500 lbs) a type rating is
required (See 14 CFR 61.31 for type rating requirements and 1.1 for large aircraft definition).
What are the eligibility requirements for a private pilot certificate? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔- You must be at least 17 years old, have a student, sport, or recreational pilot
license, speak/read/write/understand English, have flight training and requisite flight
experience, pass knowledge and practical tests, and receive a logbook endorsement. See 14
CFR 61.103
What do you have to have in your possession or readily accessible in the aircraft while
exercising the privileges of your airman certificate? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- As a pilot
you must have license, medical certificate, and photo ID. As a solo student you must have
student/medical certificates and logbook with endorsements. See 14 CFR 61.3.
,Can you fly a twin turbine powered aircraft? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Yes. See 14 CFR
61.31.
Can you fly for compensation or hire? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- No. See 14 CFR 61.113
Can you share the expenses with your passenger? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Yes, but you
must pay no less than your pro rata share of expenses. See 14 CFR 61.113.
How long is your certificate good for? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- The private pilot
certificate is valid indefinitely but there is a currency requirement consisting of a biennial
flight review (BFR). You must also have a current medical certificate, as required. There are
additional currency requirements for carrying passengers. See 14 CFR 61.19 (pilot
certificate), 61.56 (for flight review), and part 67 for medical standards and certifications.
How long is a class 2 medical good for? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- 24 months if you are
over 40 years old, or 60 months if you are under 40 years old. See 14 CFR 61.23.
What are the currency requirements for a private pilot? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Biennial
flight review (every 2 years) and current medical. See 14 CFR 61.56 (for flight review), and
part 67 for medical standards and certifications. There are additional currency requirements
when carrying passengers.
What is the reason for keeping a flight record in you logbook? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔-
For proof of currency or additional ratings or biennial flight review (BFR). See 14 CFR
61.51.
What recent flight experience do you have to have in order to carry a passenger? -
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- 3 daytime takeoffs & landings in the last 90 days and 3 night
takeoffs & landings to a full stop in the last 90 days (one hour after sunset to one hour before
sunrise), in the same category, class, and type of aircraft. See 14 CFR 61.57.
If you take your biennial flight review in a Bell 206, can you act as pilot in command in an R-
22 helicopter? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- No. SFAR 73 requires the BFR to be in an R-22
to act as PIC in an R-22 (every 12 months). See SFAR 73-2-B-1-ii.
,To act as PIC in the R-22 how often do you have to take a flight review if you have less than
200 hours? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- According to 73-2(b)(1), you must have a flight
review in an R-22 every 12 months and obtain an endorsement for that flight review from a
CFI authorized under paragraph (b)(5). The flight review must include: enhanced autorotation
training; engine rotor RPM control w/o use of the governor; low rotor RPM recognition and
recovery; and effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.
What class of medical certificate is required to exercise private pilot privileges? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔- Third class medical certificate. See 14 CFR 61.23. In some circumstances it
is sufficient to have a US driver's license. See 14 CFR 61.113(i).
What equipment is required to be operational prior to a flight? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔-
For VFR daytime flight:
T: tachometer for each engine
O: outside air temperature gauge
M: manifold pressure gauge for each altitude engine
A: altimeter
T: temperature gauge for each liquid-cooled engine or oil temperature gauge for each air-
cooled engine
O: oil pressure gauge for each engine using a pressure system
F: fuel gauge for each fuel tank
F: flotation gear for operation over water beyond gliding distance to shore (for hire)
L: anti-collision light system
L: landing gear position indicator if there is retractable landing gear
A: airspeed indicator
M: magnetic direction indicator (compass)
E: emergency locator beacon
S: seat belts or shoulder harnesses
For VFR night flight: In addition to above, position lights, adequate electrical source for all
installed electric instruments and radio, spare fuses (if used) accessible to pilot during flight,
electric landing light (if operated for hire).
Another Mnemonic: CAMALS FOOT
, Compass, ASI, Manifold Pressure Gauge, Altimeter, Lights, Seatbelts, Fuel Gauge, Oil
Pressure, Oil Temperature Gauge, Tachometer
See 14 CFR 91.205
What equipment is required for a night flight? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Night Flight
Required Equipment Mnemonic: FLAPE
Fuses, Landing Lights, Anti-collision lights, Position Lights, Electrical Source
How do you determine if the aircraft is airworthy? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- ** Review
this further **
PHATTALE: Preflight (91.103, ?), Hundred hour (91.409), Annual (91.409), TBO (?),
Transponder (24 months, see 91.413), ADs, Life limited (?), ELT (12 months - 1 hour - 1/2
life, see 91.207).
What should be checked as part of preflight procedures? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔-
Preflight Check Mnemonic: WFKART
Weather, Fuel requirements, Known Traffic Delays, Alternates, Runway Length,
Takeoff/landing distances
What documents are required on board an aircraft? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- ARROW:
Airworthiness certificate, Registration, Radio operators license (outside US), Operators
handbook, Weight and balance information, as well as signed ADs (airworthiness directives)
as needed. See 14 CFR 91.203 (airworthiness cert & registration), 91.9 (POH), and 23.1589
(weight & balance), 87.18 (for radio license).
When do you have to have a radio operator's license? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Outside
the US (Canada, Mexico, etc). See 14 CFR 87.18.
Who is responsible for maintaining the aircraft in airworthy condition? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔- The owner/operator. See 14 CFR 91.403.
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
How does best rate-of-climb speed (V_Y) differ from best angle-of-climb speed (V_X)? -
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- In a helicopter, climbing straight up (or very steeply) is neither
the safest nor the fastest way to gain altitude.
A helicopter flown at the best rate-of-climb speed (V_Y) obtains the greatest gain in altitude
over a given period of time. In other words, best rate-of-climb speed is the speed that gets
you the fastest altitude gain but it is not the steepest climb.
Best rate-of-climb speed is normally used during the climb after all obstacles have been
cleared and is usually maintained until reaching cruise altitude.
Angle of climb is a function of altitude gained over a given distance. The V_Y results in the
highest climb rate, but not the steepest climb angle, and may not be sufficient to clear
obstructions. The best angle of climb speed (V_X) depends upon
the power available. If there is a surplus of power available, the helicopter can climb
vertically, so V_X is zero.
What type of helicopter can you fly with your private pilot helicopter license? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔- Any helicopter up to 12,500 lbs. For Robinson helicopters you also need to
meet the requirements of SFAR 73. For other helicopters (over 12,500 lbs) a type rating is
required (See 14 CFR 61.31 for type rating requirements and 1.1 for large aircraft definition).
What are the eligibility requirements for a private pilot certificate? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔- You must be at least 17 years old, have a student, sport, or recreational pilot
license, speak/read/write/understand English, have flight training and requisite flight
experience, pass knowledge and practical tests, and receive a logbook endorsement. See 14
CFR 61.103
What do you have to have in your possession or readily accessible in the aircraft while
exercising the privileges of your airman certificate? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- As a pilot
you must have license, medical certificate, and photo ID. As a solo student you must have
student/medical certificates and logbook with endorsements. See 14 CFR 61.3.
,Can you fly a twin turbine powered aircraft? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Yes. See 14 CFR
61.31.
Can you fly for compensation or hire? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- No. See 14 CFR 61.113
Can you share the expenses with your passenger? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Yes, but you
must pay no less than your pro rata share of expenses. See 14 CFR 61.113.
How long is your certificate good for? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- The private pilot
certificate is valid indefinitely but there is a currency requirement consisting of a biennial
flight review (BFR). You must also have a current medical certificate, as required. There are
additional currency requirements for carrying passengers. See 14 CFR 61.19 (pilot
certificate), 61.56 (for flight review), and part 67 for medical standards and certifications.
How long is a class 2 medical good for? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- 24 months if you are
over 40 years old, or 60 months if you are under 40 years old. See 14 CFR 61.23.
What are the currency requirements for a private pilot? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Biennial
flight review (every 2 years) and current medical. See 14 CFR 61.56 (for flight review), and
part 67 for medical standards and certifications. There are additional currency requirements
when carrying passengers.
What is the reason for keeping a flight record in you logbook? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔-
For proof of currency or additional ratings or biennial flight review (BFR). See 14 CFR
61.51.
What recent flight experience do you have to have in order to carry a passenger? -
CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- 3 daytime takeoffs & landings in the last 90 days and 3 night
takeoffs & landings to a full stop in the last 90 days (one hour after sunset to one hour before
sunrise), in the same category, class, and type of aircraft. See 14 CFR 61.57.
If you take your biennial flight review in a Bell 206, can you act as pilot in command in an R-
22 helicopter? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- No. SFAR 73 requires the BFR to be in an R-22
to act as PIC in an R-22 (every 12 months). See SFAR 73-2-B-1-ii.
,To act as PIC in the R-22 how often do you have to take a flight review if you have less than
200 hours? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- According to 73-2(b)(1), you must have a flight
review in an R-22 every 12 months and obtain an endorsement for that flight review from a
CFI authorized under paragraph (b)(5). The flight review must include: enhanced autorotation
training; engine rotor RPM control w/o use of the governor; low rotor RPM recognition and
recovery; and effects of low G maneuvers and proper recovery procedures.
What class of medical certificate is required to exercise private pilot privileges? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔- Third class medical certificate. See 14 CFR 61.23. In some circumstances it
is sufficient to have a US driver's license. See 14 CFR 61.113(i).
What equipment is required to be operational prior to a flight? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔-
For VFR daytime flight:
T: tachometer for each engine
O: outside air temperature gauge
M: manifold pressure gauge for each altitude engine
A: altimeter
T: temperature gauge for each liquid-cooled engine or oil temperature gauge for each air-
cooled engine
O: oil pressure gauge for each engine using a pressure system
F: fuel gauge for each fuel tank
F: flotation gear for operation over water beyond gliding distance to shore (for hire)
L: anti-collision light system
L: landing gear position indicator if there is retractable landing gear
A: airspeed indicator
M: magnetic direction indicator (compass)
E: emergency locator beacon
S: seat belts or shoulder harnesses
For VFR night flight: In addition to above, position lights, adequate electrical source for all
installed electric instruments and radio, spare fuses (if used) accessible to pilot during flight,
electric landing light (if operated for hire).
Another Mnemonic: CAMALS FOOT
, Compass, ASI, Manifold Pressure Gauge, Altimeter, Lights, Seatbelts, Fuel Gauge, Oil
Pressure, Oil Temperature Gauge, Tachometer
See 14 CFR 91.205
What equipment is required for a night flight? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Night Flight
Required Equipment Mnemonic: FLAPE
Fuses, Landing Lights, Anti-collision lights, Position Lights, Electrical Source
How do you determine if the aircraft is airworthy? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- ** Review
this further **
PHATTALE: Preflight (91.103, ?), Hundred hour (91.409), Annual (91.409), TBO (?),
Transponder (24 months, see 91.413), ADs, Life limited (?), ELT (12 months - 1 hour - 1/2
life, see 91.207).
What should be checked as part of preflight procedures? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔-
Preflight Check Mnemonic: WFKART
Weather, Fuel requirements, Known Traffic Delays, Alternates, Runway Length,
Takeoff/landing distances
What documents are required on board an aircraft? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- ARROW:
Airworthiness certificate, Registration, Radio operators license (outside US), Operators
handbook, Weight and balance information, as well as signed ADs (airworthiness directives)
as needed. See 14 CFR 91.203 (airworthiness cert & registration), 91.9 (POH), and 23.1589
(weight & balance), 87.18 (for radio license).
When do you have to have a radio operator's license? - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Outside
the US (Canada, Mexico, etc). See 14 CFR 87.18.
Who is responsible for maintaining the aircraft in airworthy condition? - CORRECT
ANSWER✔✔- The owner/operator. See 14 CFR 91.403.
