Free Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter) Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopter) practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A Canadian aviation document has been suspended. When must the person to whom it was issued return it to the Minister?

   1. A.When the next aviation document is issued
   2. B.Immediately after the suspension takes effectCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Immediately after the suspension is announced
   4. D.When the suspension period has expired

   Explanation: CAR 103.03 states that the person to whom the document was issued shall "return it to the Minister immediately after the effective date of the suspension or cancellation." The effective date, rather than the announcement or expiry, determines the required timing.

   Reference: Canadian Aviation Regulations — 103.03

2. 2What allows a helicopter's main rotor to continue turning after the engine slows below rotor speed?

   1. A.The drive clutch locks the rotor to the slowing engine
   2. B.The freewheeling unit disengages the engine from the rotorCorrect answer: B
   3. C.The rotor brake stops the engine independently
   4. D.The transmission locks the rotor shaft to the engine

   Explanation: The handbook states that "The freewheeling unit automatically disengages the engine from the main rotor" when engine RPM is below rotor RPM. Disengagement allows the rotor to keep turning; locking the shafts would oppose that separation.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook, Chapter 4 — Chapter 4, Freewheeling Unit

3. 3Bernoulli's principle describes a relationship between which two properties of a fluid?

   1. A.Pressure and temperature
   2. B.Velocity and fluid density
   3. C.Pressure and velocityCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Pressure and humidity

   Explanation: The handbook says "Bernoulli’s principle describes the relationship between internal fluid pressure and fluid velocity." The other pairs substitute temperature, density or humidity for one of these properties.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook, Chapter 2 — Chapter 2, Bernoulli’s Principle

4. 4Which gas is the largest component of the Earth's dry atmosphere?

   1. A.Argon
   2. B.Carbon dioxide
   3. C.Oxygen
   4. D.NitrogenCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The Aviation Weather Handbook describes "Nitrogen, by far the most common" atmospheric gas. Oxygen, argon and carbon dioxide occur in smaller proportions.

   Reference: Aviation Weather Handbook — 4.2 Composition

5. 5A helicopter airspeed indicator indicates speed relative to which reference?

   1. A.The ground below the aircraft
   2. B.The aircraft's own cabin
   3. C.The air surrounding the aircraftCorrect answer: C
   4. D.The sea-level pressure datum

   Explanation: Transport Canada states that the instrument "indicates the speed of the helicopter through the air in which it is flying" and relates only indirectly to ground speed. The cabin and pressure datum are not the relevant moving-air reference.

   Reference: Helicopter Flight Training Manual — Exercise 1, Flight Instruments

6. 6On an ideal spherical Earth, what distinguishes a great-circle route between two points?

   1. A.It follows a constant compass heading
   2. B.It crosses every meridian at a right angle
   3. C.It always follows a line of latitude
   4. D.It is the shortest surface distanceCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: The FAA glossary defines a great-circle route as "The shortest distance across the surface of a sphere (the Earth) between two points on the surface." Constant compass heading and a latitude line are not its defining property.

   Reference: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Glossary — Great circle route

7. 7In navigation, what does the bearing of a selected point describe?

   1. A.Time remaining until reaching a point
   2. B.Horizontal distance to a point
   3. C.Horizontal direction to or from a pointCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Vertical distance above a point

   Explanation: The glossary defines bearing as "The horizontal direction to or from any point" measured from a reference. Distance, height and time are different quantities.

   Reference: Glossary for Pilots and Air Traffic Services Personnel — bearing

8. 8Where should a pilot find engine operating limitations for a particular helicopter?

   1. A.The aircraft journey log
   2. B.The aerodrome chart
   3. C.The air operator certificate
   4. D.The helicopter flight manualCorrect answer: D

   Explanation: Transport Canada's manual says to "Refer to the helicopter flight manual for the limitations during any phase of engine operation." The log, chart and certificate serve other aircraft or operational purposes.

   Reference: Helicopter Flight Training Manual — Exercise 1, Engine Instruments

9. 9What physiological deficiency is the underlying cause of pilot hypoxia?

   1. A.Insufficient oxygen in the bloodstreamCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Excessive carbon dioxide loss from overbreathing
   3. C.Insufficient blood glucose
   4. D.Insufficient body water

   Explanation: Transport Canada describes hypoxia as "a condition caused by insufficient oxygen in the bloodstream". Hyperventilation, low blood glucose and dehydration are distinct physiological problems.

   Reference: The Silent Ally: Using Oxygen While Flying — Introduction

10. 10Under CAR 103.04, what must a non-paper recording system permit when the Minister gives reasonable notice?

    1. A.A verbal summary of the records can be provided
    2. B.An unsigned list of record titles can be provided
    3. C.A paper copy of the records can be providedCorrect answer: C
    4. D.The original computer hardware can be provided

    Explanation: CAR 103.04(b) requires that "a copy of the records contained in the recording systems can be printed on paper and provided to the Minister on reasonable notice given by the Minister." The required item is a paper copy of the records, not the hardware, a summary or a title list.

    Reference: Canadian Aviation Regulations — 103.04(b)