Free Instrument Rating Helicopter Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Instrument Rating Helicopter practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A civilian helicopter pilot uses the aircraft-based method of 14 CFR 61.57(c)(1) to maintain instrument currency and has no applicable exception. For an October IFR flight, which period must contain the required logged approaches, holding, and course intercepting and tracking?

   1. A. The three calendar months preceding October
   2. B. The six calendar months preceding October
   3. C. The twelve calendar months preceding October
   4. D. The twenty-four calendar months preceding October

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 61.57(c)(1) specifies "Within the 6 calendar months preceding the month of the flight". For the October flight, the applicable window is April through September; a flight review or a longer reporting interval does not replace this instrument-recency window.

   Reference: 14 CFR 61.57 — Recent flight experience: Pilot in command — § 61.57(c)(1)

2. 2During an IFR helicopter systems review, a pilot traces the mechanical effect of raising the collective pitch lever. What happens to the main rotor blade pitch angles?

   1. A. They increase equally and simultaneously.
   2. B. They decrease equally and simultaneously.
   3. C. They increase and decrease cyclically.
   4. D. They remain fixed while rotor rpm rises.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook states, "there is a simultaneous and equal increase in pitch angle of all main rotor blades". Raising collective increases all blade pitch angles together. Lowering collective decreases them; cyclic control varies pitch around the disk, and throttle changes do not substitute for this pitch change.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 3: Helicopter Flight Controls — p. 3-2, Collective Pitch Control

3. 3An IFR helicopter pilot hears an amended altitude clearance but is uncertain whether ATC said 4,000 or 5,000 feet. What is the pilot's required response to this uncertainty?

   1. A. Immediately request clarification from ATC.
   2. B. Read back the altitude shown in the filed flight plan.
   3. C. Begin climbing toward the higher of the two altitudes.
   4. D. Wait for the next handoff before confirming the altitude.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 91.123(a) states, "When a pilot is uncertain of an ATC clearance, that pilot shall immediately request clarification from ATC." Selecting an assumed altitude or delaying clarification fails that specific requirement.

   Reference: 14 CFR 91.123 — Compliance with ATC clearances and instructions — § 91.123(a), final sentence

4. 4While hand-flying an IFR helicopter turn, a pilot stares only at the turn-and-slip indicator and neglects the other instruments. Which instrument-scan error does this demonstrate?

   1. A. Omission
   2. B. Fixation
   3. C. Overemphasis
   4. D. Overcontrolling

   Answer: B

   Explanation: In the helicopter chapter, the handbook states, "When full concentration is applied to a single instrument, a problem called fixation is encountered." Overemphasis still includes other instruments, omission leaves out needed information, and overcontrolling concerns excessive control inputs.

   Reference: Instrument Flying Handbook — p. 8-2, Instrument Flight

5. 5A helicopter is established on a VOR's 090-degree radial and is cleared directly inbound to the station along that radial. Ignoring wind, what magnetic course leads to the station?

   1. A. 090 degrees
   2. B. 180 degrees
   3. C. 270 degrees
   4. D. 360 degrees

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The handbook states, "The inbound (to the station) course is the reciprocal of the radial." The reciprocal of 090 degrees is 270 degrees; 090 continues outbound and the other values are perpendicular courses.

   Reference: Instrument Flying Handbook — p. 9-14, VOR position interpretation

6. 6A helicopter is flying an RNAV approach to LP minima. The receiver also displays advisory vertical guidance. Which altitude reference remains primary for meeting the approach's altitude restrictions?

   1. A. The advisory glidepath's computed altitude
   2. B. The barometric altimeter indication
   3. C. The GPS geometric altitude indication
   4. D. The radio altimeter's terrain-height indication

   Answer: B

   Explanation: For LP approaches with advisory vertical guidance, the AIM states, "Barometric altimeter information remains the primary altitude reference for complying with any altitude restrictions." Advisory guidance does not convert the LP MDA into a DA or replace barometric restriction compliance.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Arrival Procedures — AIM 5-4-5, RNAV Instrument Approach Charts — LP

7. 7An IFR helicopter loses two-way communications, then encounters VFR conditions in which continued VFR flight and a suitable landing are practicable. What does 14 CFR 91.185(b) require?

   1. A. Continue under IFR to the filed destination.
   2. B. Continue under VFR and land as soon as practicable.
   3. C. Continue under IFR to the last assigned clearance limit.
   4. D. Hold under VFR until the filed destination ETA.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 91.185(b) requires the pilot to "continue the flight under VFR and land as soon as practicable." Continued IFR flight to the filed destination or clearance limit uses the IMC lost-communications framework instead of this VFR requirement. Holding for the filed ETA likewise does not replace a practicable VFR landing.

   Reference: 14 CFR 91.185 — IFR operations: Two-way radio communications failure — § 91.185(b)

8. 8Following an IFR helicopter flight, the pilot needs the sequence for checking instruments and equipment during shutdown and the postflight inspection. Which document should control that sequence?

   1. A. The approved Minimum Equipment List
   2. B. The manufacturer's shutdown and postflight checklist
   3. C. The aircraft's Kinds of Operations Equipment List
   4. D. The applicable Airworthiness Directives listing

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states, "During the shutdown and postflight inspection, follow the manufacturer’s checklist." The MEL addresses permitted inoperative-equipment operation, the KOEL identifies equipment requirements, and ADs impose specified airworthiness actions; none substitutes for the manufacturer’s shutdown/postflight sequence.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 8: Ground Procedures and Flight Preparations — p. 8-9, After Landing and Securing

9. 9During a 1.2-hour helicopter flight on an IFR clearance, the pilot flies solely by reference to instruments for 0.4 hour in cloud and uses outside visual references for the remaining 0.8 hour. How much instrument time may the pilot log for this flight?

   1. A. 0.4 hour
   2. B. 0.8 hour
   3. C. 1.2 hours
   4. D. 1.6 hours

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 61.51(g)(1) permits instrument time "only for that flight time when the person operates the aircraft solely by reference to instruments under actual or simulated instrument flight conditions." Only the 0.4 hour meets that condition. The other values substitute the visual portion, the entire flight, or add the instrument segment to the entire flight.

   Reference: 14 CFR 61.51 — Pilot logbooks — § 61.51(g)(1)

10. 10A helicopter pilot briefing an IFR flight describes a governor that senses engine and rotor rpm. What variable does the governor automatically regulate through power adjustments?

    1. A. Manifold pressure at a fixed value
    2. B. Collective pitch at a fixed angle
    3. C. Rotor speed at the selected value
    4. D. Airspeed at the selected value

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The handbook describes a governor as sensing rotor and engine rpm and adjusting them "in order to keep rotor rpm constant." It is not a manifold-pressure, collective-position, or airspeed hold mode; changes in power compensate for rotor-load changes.

    Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 3: Helicopter Flight Controls — p. 3-2, Governor/Correlator