Helicopter Private Pilot Exam Questions
and Answers Latest Version Already
Passed
What does a low rotor RPM warning indicate?
✔✔ The main rotor speed is dangerously low and needs correction
What is ground resonance?
✔✔ A dangerous vibration caused by rotor imbalance on landing
What is a helicopter's main limitation in high-density altitude conditions?
✔✔ Reduced lift due to thinner air
Why do helicopters require more power to hover than to cruise?
✔✔ Hovering requires constant lift generation without the benefit of forward motion
What is the primary risk of low-G flight in a helicopter?
✔✔ Loss of cyclic control leading to mast bumping
1
,What is the function of the collective lever?
✔✔ To change the pitch angle of all rotor blades simultaneously
What should a pilot do in the event of tail rotor failure?
✔✔ Enter an autorotation and perform a controlled landing
What is LTE (Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness)?
✔✔ A sudden loss of yaw control due to adverse airflow conditions
Why do helicopter pilots use pedal turns instead of ailerons?
✔✔ Helicopters do not have ailerons; the pedals control yaw via the tail rotor
What is the primary purpose of the cyclic control in a helicopter?
✔✔ To control the direction of flight
What happens when the collective pitch is increased?
✔✔ The helicopter gains altitude
2
,Why is anti-torque control necessary in a helicopter?
✔✔ To counteract the torque effect from the main rotor
What is the primary function of the governor in a helicopter?
✔✔ To automatically adjust engine power to maintain rotor RPM
What aerodynamic principle allows a helicopter to stay in the air?
✔✔ Bernoulli’s Principle and Newton’s Third Law
What is the purpose of the tail rotor?
✔✔ To prevent the fuselage from spinning opposite the main rotor
What is translational lift?
✔✔ Increased lift experienced when transitioning from hover to forward flight
What happens during a vortex ring state?
✔✔ The helicopter descends into its own downwash, losing lift
3
, What is autorotation?
✔✔ A condition where the main rotor turns without engine power, allowing a controlled descent
What causes retreating blade stall?
✔✔ The retreating blade loses lift due to excessive speed and low relative airflow
How do you recover from retreating blade stall?
✔✔ Reduce airspeed and decrease collective pitch
What is effective translational lift (ETL)?
✔✔ The point where forward motion improves rotor efficiency and increases lift
What is the function of a swashplate?
✔✔ To transfer pilot control inputs to the rotating main rotor blades
What happens if the cyclic is pushed forward in level flight?
✔✔ The nose pitches down, and the helicopter accelerates
4
and Answers Latest Version Already
Passed
What does a low rotor RPM warning indicate?
✔✔ The main rotor speed is dangerously low and needs correction
What is ground resonance?
✔✔ A dangerous vibration caused by rotor imbalance on landing
What is a helicopter's main limitation in high-density altitude conditions?
✔✔ Reduced lift due to thinner air
Why do helicopters require more power to hover than to cruise?
✔✔ Hovering requires constant lift generation without the benefit of forward motion
What is the primary risk of low-G flight in a helicopter?
✔✔ Loss of cyclic control leading to mast bumping
1
,What is the function of the collective lever?
✔✔ To change the pitch angle of all rotor blades simultaneously
What should a pilot do in the event of tail rotor failure?
✔✔ Enter an autorotation and perform a controlled landing
What is LTE (Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness)?
✔✔ A sudden loss of yaw control due to adverse airflow conditions
Why do helicopter pilots use pedal turns instead of ailerons?
✔✔ Helicopters do not have ailerons; the pedals control yaw via the tail rotor
What is the primary purpose of the cyclic control in a helicopter?
✔✔ To control the direction of flight
What happens when the collective pitch is increased?
✔✔ The helicopter gains altitude
2
,Why is anti-torque control necessary in a helicopter?
✔✔ To counteract the torque effect from the main rotor
What is the primary function of the governor in a helicopter?
✔✔ To automatically adjust engine power to maintain rotor RPM
What aerodynamic principle allows a helicopter to stay in the air?
✔✔ Bernoulli’s Principle and Newton’s Third Law
What is the purpose of the tail rotor?
✔✔ To prevent the fuselage from spinning opposite the main rotor
What is translational lift?
✔✔ Increased lift experienced when transitioning from hover to forward flight
What happens during a vortex ring state?
✔✔ The helicopter descends into its own downwash, losing lift
3
, What is autorotation?
✔✔ A condition where the main rotor turns without engine power, allowing a controlled descent
What causes retreating blade stall?
✔✔ The retreating blade loses lift due to excessive speed and low relative airflow
How do you recover from retreating blade stall?
✔✔ Reduce airspeed and decrease collective pitch
What is effective translational lift (ETL)?
✔✔ The point where forward motion improves rotor efficiency and increases lift
What is the function of a swashplate?
✔✔ To transfer pilot control inputs to the rotating main rotor blades
What happens if the cyclic is pushed forward in level flight?
✔✔ The nose pitches down, and the helicopter accelerates
4
