Free Recreational Pilot Helicopter Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

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

1. 1A recreational helicopter pilot plans a personal sightseeing flight. What is the maximum number of passengers the pilot may carry under recreational pilot privileges?

   1. A. One passenger
   2. B. Two passengers
   3. C. Three passengers
   4. D. Four passengers

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 61.101(a)(1) permits the pilot to "Carry no more than one passenger". The number of installed seats does not increase this passenger privilege.

   Reference: 14 CFR 61.101 — Recreational pilot privileges and limitations — §61.101(a)(1)

2. 2A passenger is injured during a helicopter landing. Which isolated injury is classified as a serious injury by the fracture provision in 49 CFR §830.2?

   1. A. A simple fracture of a finger
   2. B. A simple fracture of a toe
   3. C. A simple fracture of the nose
   4. D. A fracture of the forearm

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The definition includes a "fracture of any bone (except simple fractures of fingers, toes, or nose)". A forearm fracture is included; the three simple fractures listed in the other options are expressly excepted from this fracture criterion.

   Reference: 49 CFR Part 830 — Aircraft Accident Notification, Reporting, and Preservation — §830.2, Serious injury, clause (2)

3. 3A helicopter pilot approaches an airport while its part-time tower is closed. No FSS is operating there. Which published frequency should the pilot use to self-announce position and intentions?

   1. A. The airport's ground-control frequency
   2. B. The airport's clearance-delivery frequency
   3. C. The airport's common traffic advisory frequency
   4. D. The airport's automatic terminal information frequency

   Answer: C

   Explanation: AIM 4-1-9 states that when the tower and any FSS are closed, "use the CTAF to self‐announce your position or intentions." The pilot should use the published CTAF rather than assume another airport frequency is appropriate.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Services Available to Pilots — 4-1-9, Self-Announce Position and/or Intentions

4. 4A helicopter pilot follows a plotted VFR course by matching a river bend and a highway junction to features on a sectional chart. Which navigation method is being used?

   1. A. Dead reckoning
   2. B. Pilotage
   3. C. Radio navigation
   4. D. Inertial navigation

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The FAA defines pilotage as "navigation by reference to landmarks or checkpoints." Matching visible landmarks to charted features is pilotage, even when other navigation methods supplement it.

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

5. 5A helicopter pilot reads 24012G20KT in a METAR. Which interpretation of the wind group is correct?

   1. A. Wind toward 240° magnetic at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots
   2. B. Wind from 240° magnetic at 20 knots, gusting to 32 knots
   3. C. Wind from 240° true at 12 knots, gusting to 20 knots
   4. D. Wind toward 240° true at 20 knots, gusting to 32 knots

   Answer: C

   Explanation: AIM 7-1-29 says the first digits give "the direction the wind is blowing from" referenced to true north, and a G is "followed by the highest gust reported." Thus 24012G20KT reports wind from 240° true, speed 12 knots, peak gust 20 knots.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Meteorology — 7-1-29, METAR, Wind

6. 6A helicopter pilot adjusts pressure altitude for nonstandard temperature to evaluate takeoff performance. Which altitude is being determined?

   1. A. Indicated altitude
   2. B. Density altitude
   3. C. True altitude
   4. D. Absolute altitude

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The FAA states, "Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature." It expresses the atmospheric density relevant to performance rather than geometric height above terrain or sea level.

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

7. 7A helicopter's basic empty weight is 1,200 lb. For departure it carries a 170-lb pilot, a 150-lb passenger, 20 lb of baggage, and 120 lb of usable fuel. No other weight must be added. What is the loaded gross weight?

   1. A. 1,510 lb
   2. B. 1,540 lb
   3. C. 1,660 lb
   4. D. 1,780 lb

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The handbook directs pilots to "add the weight of the items comprising the useful load" to basic empty weight. The sum is 1,200 + 170 + 150 + 20 + 120 = 1,660 lb. The distractors omit the passenger, omit fuel, or count fuel twice.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 6, Weight and Balance — Chapter 6 — Weight and Balance Calculations

8. 8During a discussion of helicopter blade aerodynamics, the pilot identifies the angle between the blade's chord line and the resultant relative wind. What is this angle called?

   1. A. Angle of incidence
   2. B. Coning angle
   3. C. Flapping angle
   4. D. Angle of attack

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook defines, "AOA is the angle between the airfoil chord line and resultant relative wind." It can change even when the blade pitch angle, or angle of incidence, remains unchanged.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 2, Aerodynamics of Flight — Chapter 2 — Angle of Attack

9. 9A helicopter pilot feels pressured to launch because a friend is waiting at the destination for an important family event. In the PAVE checklist, where should this pressure be assessed?

   1. A. Pilot
   2. B. Aircraft
   3. C. Environment
   4. D. External pressures

   Answer: D

   Explanation: Under External pressures, the handbook warns, "Do not allow yourself to feel pressured by coworkers, family events, or friends." The schedule and social expectation are external pressures, distinct from pilot fitness, aircraft condition, or weather.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 13, Effective Aeronautical Decision-Making — Chapter 13 — The PAVE Checklist, External pressures

10. 10For a planned helicopter landing at a public airport in the conterminous United States, the pilot wants the FAA's detailed airport directory information to supplement a VFR chart. Which publication contains airport diagrams, runway details, lighting codes, and fuel availability?

    1. A. The Chart Supplement U.S.
    2. B. The Pilot/Controller Glossary
    3. C. The Aeronautical Information Manual
    4. D. The Helicopter Flying Handbook

    Answer: A

    Explanation: AIM 9-1-5 identifies the Chart Supplement U.S. as an airport information series and says it shows "data that cannot be readily depicted in graphic form". It supplements navigation charts with airport-specific operational details rather than general handbook guidance.

    Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications — Chart Supplement U.S.