Free Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Airline Transport Pilot Helicopter (135) practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A helicopter captain is planning a Part 135 VFR flight. After allowing for wind and forecast weather, what is the minimum fuel endurance required beyond the first point of intended landing at normal cruising fuel consumption?

   1. A. 20 minutes
   2. B. 30 minutes
   3. C. 45 minutes
   4. D. 10 minutes

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 135.209(b) requires fuel beyond the first intended landing "to fly after that for at least 20 minutes." This is the helicopter VFR reserve, with wind and forecast weather already considered.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 135 — Commuter and On-Demand Operations — § 135.209(b)

2. 2For a helicopter route approaching a warm front, the rising warm air is stable. Which cloud and precipitation pattern should the captain expect along and ahead of the front?

   1. A. A narrow band of cumuliform clouds and showers
   2. B. Widespread stratiform clouds and precipitation
   3. C. Scattered fair-weather cumulus and little precipitation
   4. D. Isolated cumulonimbus cells and localized showers

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states that gradual ascent on a warm front "favors the development of widespread layered or stratiform cloudiness and precipitation along, and ahead of, the front if the warm rising air is stable." Those are the conditions specified for this route.

   Reference: Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B) — § 11.3.1, p. 11-5

3. 3A helicopter pilot reads the METAR wind group 22015G25KT. Which interpretation is correct?

   1. A. From 220° true at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots
   2. B. From 220° magnetic at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots
   3. C. Toward 220° true at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots
   4. D. Toward 220° magnetic at 15 knots, gusting to 25 knots

   Answer: A

   Explanation: For METAR wind, the handbook states: "It indicates the direction the wind is coming from." It also specifies that direction is "relative to true north". Thus 220 is a true direction from which the wind blows; 15 is the sustained speed and G25 is the gust speed.

   Reference: Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B) — §§ 24.4.3.5–24.4.3.5.1, pp. 24-9–24-10

4. 4A helicopter operator needs to identify the NWS center that issues Convective SIGMETs supporting flights in the contiguous United States. Which center performs that function?

   1. A. Weather Prediction Center
   2. B. NCEP Central Operations
   3. C. National Hurricane Center
   4. D. Aviation Weather Center

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook identifies the AWC as issuing aviation forecasts "including Airmen’s Meteorological Information (AIRMET), significant meteorological information (SIGMET), Convective SIGMETs". The other choices perform precipitation guidance, numerical-model operations, or tropical-cyclone forecasting rather than this specific aviation advisory issuance.

   Reference: Aviation Weather Handbook (FAA-H-8083-28B) — § 2.2.2.1.2, p. 2-3

5. 5A helicopter traversing a microburst near the surface may encounter a performance-increasing wind followed by two performance-decreasing components. Which sequence matches the AIM description?

   1. A. Tailwind, updraft, then headwind
   2. B. Headwind, downdraft, then tailwind
   3. C. Headwind, updraft, then tailwind
   4. D. Tailwind, downdraft, then headwind

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The AIM states: "The aircraft may encounter a headwind (performance increasing) followed by a downdraft and tailwind (both performance decreasing)". This is a possible sequence, not a guaranteed warning pattern for every microburst.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Meteorology — ¶ 7-1-24, Microbursts, encounter hazards

6. 6An IFR helicopter captain plans a published SID that is not yet assigned. Which event supplies the authorization required before the pilot may fly that SID?

   1. A. The SID is included in the filed flight plan.
   2. B. ATC issues a clearance authorizing that SID.
   3. C. ATC issues an IFR clearance leaving the SID unassigned.
   4. D. The pilot completes the SID chart and performance review.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The AIM states: "ATC clearance must be received prior to flying a SID." Filing the SID, reviewing it, or receiving a clearance that leaves it unassigned does not supply the specific authorization to fly it.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Departure Procedures — ¶ 5-2-9, Instrument Departure Procedures

7. 7A helicopter’s basic empty weight is 2,000 pounds with a moment of 200,000 pound-inches. The crew weighs 400 pounds at arm 150 inches, and usable fuel weighs 100 pounds at arm 100 inches. With all arms aft of the same datum and no other load, where is the loaded CG?

   1. A. 100.0 inches aft of datum
   2. B. 84.0 inches aft of datum
   3. C. 108.0 inches aft of datum
   4. D. 128.6 inches aft of datum

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The FAA handbook directs: "Divide the total moment by the total weight to determine the CG." Total moment is 200,000 + (400 × 150) + (100 × 100) = 270,000 pound-inches. Total weight is 2,500 pounds, giving 108.0 inches. Ignoring the crew entirely gives 100.0; omitting only its moment gives 84.0; omitting only its weight gives about 128.6.

   Reference: Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook (FAA-H-8083-1B) — Chapter 10, Determining CG, Given Weights, and Arms

8. 8A helicopter accelerates from a hover through effective translational lift as the rotor disk moves into relatively undisturbed air. Which approximate airspeed range does the FAA handbook associate with this transition?

   1. A. 8–12 knots
   2. B. 16–24 knots
   3. C. 40–60 knots
   4. D. 80–100 knots

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states: "While transitioning to forward flight at about 16 to 24 knots, the helicopter goes through effective translational lift (ETL)." This is an approximate aerodynamic transition range, not a substitute for aircraft-specific performance data.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 2, Aerodynamics of Flight — Effective Translational Lift, p. 2-22

9. 9During reconnaissance of a helicopter landing site, the captain identifies an unmarked wire across the approach path. In risk-management terminology, what is the wire itself?

   1. A. A probability
   2. B. An exposure
   3. C. A hazard
   4. D. A severity

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The handbook defines a hazard as "a present condition, event, object, or circumstance that could lead to or contribute to an unplanned or undesired event". The wire is the present dangerous object; probability, exposure, and severity describe dimensions used to assess resulting risk.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 13, Effective Aeronautical Decision-Making — Risk Management, p. 13-9

10. 10In a two-pilot helicopter, the crew changes an entry in an automated navigation system. Under the CRM guidance, how should that changed entry be communicated?

    1. A. Record it silently for the postflight review.
    2. B. Let the new display alone notify the other pilot.
    3. C. Defer discussion until the next routine crew briefing.
    4. D. Verbalize the change and obtain acknowledgment.

    Answer: D

    Explanation: AC 120-51E states: "Initial entries and changed entries to automated systems are verbalized and acknowledged." This closes the communication loop when the entry changes, rather than relying on silent display observation or a later review.

    Reference: Crew Resource Management Training (AC 120-51E) — Appendix 1, ¶ 1.d, Behavioral Marker (7), p. 3