Free Recreational Pilot Gyroplane Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1A recreational gyroplane pilot and one passenger share a personal flight. Fuel costs $80, oil $10, airport fees $30, and aircraft rental $120. With no other expenses involved, what is the minimum amount the pilot must pay?

   1. A. $60
   2. B. $80
   3. C. $120
   4. D. $240

   Answer: C

   Explanation: Section 61.101(a)(2) says the pilot may "Not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight with a passenger". The listed eligible costs total $240. With two people aboard, the pilot must pay at least $120; $240 is the whole bill, not the minimum.

   Reference: 14 CFR 61.101 — Recreational pilot privileges and limitations — § 61.101(a)(2)

2. 2When classifying an injury from a gyroplane accident, which hospitalization-duration and admission-window combination does the NTSB serious-injury definition specify?

   1. A. More than 24 hours, beginning within 7 days
   2. B. More than 48 hours, beginning within 30 days
   3. C. More than 24 hours, beginning within 30 days
   4. D. More than 48 hours, beginning within 7 days

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The NTSB definition states, "Requires hospitalization for more than 48 hours, commencing within 7 days from the date of the injury was received". The duration must exceed 48 hours and hospitalization must begin within seven days. The other options change the prescribed duration, admission window, or both.

   Reference: 49 CFR Part 830 — Aircraft Accident Notification, Reporting, and Preservation — § 830.2, definition of Serious injury

3. 3At an airport with an operating control tower, which yellow pavement-marking pattern identifies the runway holding position where a taxiing gyroplane must stop unless cleared onto or across the runway?

   1. A. Four yellow lines, two solid and two dashed
   2. B. Two yellow lines, both dashed along their length
   3. C. Two yellow lines, both continuous along their length
   4. D. One yellow line, continuous along its length

   Answer: A

   Explanation: AIM 2-3-5 describes runway holding position markings: "They consist of four yellow lines, two solid and two dashed". The aircraft holds on the solid-line side until cleared. The other patterns are actual taxiway edge or centerline markings and do not identify this runway holding position.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Airport Marking Aids and Signs — AIM 2-3-5, Runway Holding Position Markings

4. 4A gyroplane pilot measures 2.0 inches between two checkpoints on an unreduced sectional chart. Using 6.86 nautical miles per inch, approximately how far apart are the checkpoints?

   1. A. 3.43 nautical miles
   2. B. 13.72 nautical miles
   3. C. 6.86 nautical miles
   4. D. 16.00 nautical miles

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The navigation chapter gives the sectional scale as "1 inch = 6.86" nautical miles. Multiplying 2.0 by 6.86 gives 13.72 NM. Dividing gives 3.43, omitting the factor of two gives 6.86, and using eight statute miles per inch but labeling the result NM gives 16.00.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 16, Navigation — Chapter 16, Sectional Charts

5. 5Before a gyroplane flight, a pilot reviews a boundary where an advancing mass of cold, dense air is replacing warmer air and forcing it upward. What kind of front is the pilot evaluating?

   1. A. Warm front
   2. B. Stationary front
   3. C. Cold front
   4. D. Occluded front

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The handbook states, "A cold front occurs when a mass of cold, dense, and stable air advances and replaces a body of warmer air." A warm front has advancing warmer air, a stationary front lacks that advance, and an occlusion involves one front overtaking another.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 12, Weather Theory — Chapter 12, Cold Front

6. 6Before calculating density altitude for gyroplane takeoff performance, a pilot wants to read pressure altitude directly on the altimeter while on the ground. Which barometric setting provides that reading?

   1. A. The current sea-level pressure setting for the airport
   2. B. A setting that makes the altimeter read zero on the ground
   3. C. The forecast sea-level pressure setting for the destination
   4. D. The standard datum setting of 29.92 inches of mercury

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The performance chapter describes obtaining pressure altitude "By setting the barometric scale of the altimeter to 29.92" inches of mercury and reading it. Local sea-level pressure and a setting that zeros the altimeter provide different altitude references; neither is the standard pressure datum required here.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 11, Aircraft Performance — Chapter 11, Pressure Altitude

7. 7A gyroplane loading calculation has these entries: empty aircraft 800 pounds at arm 50 inches, pilot 180 pounds at arm 40 inches, and fuel 60 pounds at arm 60 inches. All arms are aft of the datum. What is the loaded center-of-gravity arm?

   1. A. 50.00 inches aft of datum
   2. B. 45.38 inches aft of datum
   3. C. 51.84 inches aft of datum
   4. D. 48.85 inches aft of datum

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook directs, "To determine the CG, divide the total moment by the total weight." Moments total 40,000 + 7,200 + 3,600 = 50,800 pound-inches; weight totals 1,040 pounds. The CG is 48.85 inches. The alternatives average arms without weighting, omit the fuel moment, or omit fuel weight from the denominator.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 10, Weight and Balance — Chapter 10, Computational Method

8. 8In normal forward flight, a conventional gyroplane's rotor is not driven by the engine. What airflow sustains its autorotation?

   1. A. Air flowing downward through the rotor disc
   2. B. Air flowing upward through the rotor disc
   3. C. Air flowing only parallel to the rotor disc
   4. D. Air flowing outward from the rotor hub

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The gyroplane handbook explains that the rotor "spins freely as a result of air flowing up through the blades". Upward flow through the disc sustains autorotation, unlike the overall downward induced flow of a powered helicopter rotor. Purely parallel or radial flow does not describe the sustaining flow through the disc.

   Reference: Rotorcraft Flying Handbook — Gyroplane Chapters — Chapter 16, Autorotation, printed p. 16-1

9. 9A gyroplane pilot dismisses the need for transition training because prior experience in another aircraft makes an accident seem impossible for this pilot. Which hazardous attitude is most directly illustrated?

   1. A. Resignation
   2. B. Macho
   3. C. Invulnerability
   4. D. Impulsivity

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The gyroplane handbook identifies "Invulnerability" with the belief "It won't happen to me!" Its gyroplane example concerns a pilot who discounts training needs because of earlier helicopter experience. Resignation, showing off, and acting without thinking describe different attitudes.

   Reference: Rotorcraft Flying Handbook — Gyroplane Chapters — Chapter 22, Figure 22-1 and Invulnerability example, printed pp. 22-1–22-2

10. 10A recreational gyroplane pilot determines the fuel needed to reach the first intended landing point, considering forecast weather and wind. Under the rotorcraft VFR fuel rule, what minimum additional endurance must the fuel supply provide at normal cruising speed?

    1. A. 20 minutes
    2. B. 30 minutes
    3. C. 45 minutes
    4. D. 60 minutes

    Answer: A

    Explanation: Section 91.151(b) requires sufficient fuel to reach the first intended landing point and then, at normal cruising speed, fly "for at least 20 minutes". A gyroplane is rotorcraft; the airplane day and night reserve values do not replace the rotorcraft minimum. The question asks for the minimum, not a larger prudent reserve.

    Reference: 14 CFR Part 91 — General Operating and Flight Rules — § 91.151(b), rotorcraft VFR fuel