Free Flight Instructor Sport Helicopter - Simplified Flight Controls Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Flight Instructor Sport Helicopter - Simplified Flight Controls practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1During a low-altitude helicopter flight, an exhaust leak exposes the occupants to carbon monoxide. The instructor explains that carbon monoxide interferes with oxygen transport by hemoglobin. Which type of hypoxia does this produce?

   1. A. Hypoxic hypoxia
   2. B. Hypemic hypoxia
   3. C. Stagnant hypoxia
   4. D. Histotoxic hypoxia

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The FAA states, "The most common form of hypemic hypoxia is CO poisoning." The problem is blood oxygen transport, rather than low atmospheric oxygen pressure, reduced circulation, or inability of cells to use oxygen.

   Reference: Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge — Chapter 17: Aeromedical Factors — Chapter 17, p. 17-3, Hypemic Hypoxia

2. 2A pilot has the appropriate helicopter category and class privileges but wants to act as PIC of another model with a simplified flight controls designation. What additional qualification does 14 CFR 61.31(l) require?

   1. A. A model-specific training and proficiency endorsement
   2. B. A flight-review completion and proficiency endorsement
   3. C. A passenger-carrying recent-flight-experience record
   4. D. A recent flight-instructor experience completion record

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 61.31(l)(2) requires a "logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who has found the person proficient in the safe operation of that model-specific aircraft and the associated simplified flight controls." Model-specific logged training and that proficiency endorsement are additional to general flight-review, passenger-recency, or instructor-recency records.

   Reference: 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors — § 61.31(l)(1)-(2)

3. 3Before a student’s first quick-stop lesson, the instructor prepares the explanation of the maneuver. In what order should the maneuver’s physical steps be explained?

   1. A. In the order the steps will normally be performed
   2. B. In the order the steps appear most difficult to master
   3. C. In the order the controls are arranged in the cockpit
   4. D. In the order the steps are discussed during the critique

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The instructor handbook states, "Most physical skills lend themselves to a sequential pattern where the skill is explained in the same step-by-step order normally used to perform it." A maneuver lesson should explain the performance sequence rather than reorganizing it by difficulty, cockpit arrangement, or critique.

   Reference: Aviation Instructor’s Handbook — Chapter 9: Techniques of Flight Instruction — p. 9-7, Instructor Tells—Instructor Does

4. 4While taxiing a wheeled helicopter, a student sees a taxiway sign with a black background, yellow inscription, and yellow border. What information does this location sign provide?

   1. A. The designation of the taxiway currently occupied
   2. B. The direction toward a taxiway at the next intersection
   3. C. The runway designation at the next holding position
   4. D. The landing distance remaining on the active runway

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The AIM states, "The inscription is the designation of the taxiway on which the aircraft is located." This identifies the current taxiway, rather than a direction, runway holding position, or remaining distance.

   Reference: Aeronautical Information Manual — Airport Marking Aids and Signs — 2-3-9, Location Signs, Taxiway Location Sign

5. 5For the handbook’s basic vertical takeoff to a hover, assuming the helicopter’s approved procedures permit it, what skid height should the student normally establish?

   1. A. 2 to 3 feet
   2. B. 5 to 10 feet
   3. C. 10 to 15 feet
   4. D. 20 to 25 feet

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook describes this maneuver as flight "from the ground vertically to a skid height of two to three feet". This is the stated basic maneuver height, subject to the aircraft’s approved procedures, rather than the higher alternatives.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 9: Basic Flight Maneuvers — p. 9-6, Vertical Takeoff to a Hover

6. 6As a conventionally controlled helicopter begins accelerating from a hover into a normal takeoff, it starts to settle before translational lift develops. Which coordinated adjustment directly prevents that initial loss of height?

   1. A. Increase collective as needed while maintaining rotor rpm.
   2. B. Decrease collective as needed while maintaining rotor rpm.
   3. C. Increase aft cyclic while retaining the existing collective.
   4. D. Decrease engine throttle while retaining the existing collective.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The handbook states, "As the helicopter starts to move forward, increase the collective, as necessary, to prevent the helicopter from sinking and adjust the throttle to maintain rpm." Lowering collective or power reduces available lift; aft cyclic alone is not the prescribed lift compensation.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 9: Basic Flight Maneuvers — p. 9-12, Normal Takeoff from a Hover, Technique

7. 7In unaccelerated straight-and-level helicopter flight, how do the vertical lift and horizontal thrust components compare with weight and drag?

   1. A. Lift exceeds weight; thrust equals drag.
   2. B. Lift equals weight; thrust exceeds drag.
   3. C. Lift is less than weight; thrust equals drag.
   4. D. Lift equals weight; thrust equals drag.

   Answer: D

   Explanation: The handbook states that in this condition "lift equals weight and thrust equals drag." A net vertical or horizontal force would produce acceleration, inconsistent with the stated steady flight.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 2: Aerodynamics of Flight — p. 2-17, Forward Flight

8. 8An instructor compares a power failure at the same low hover height in helicopters with low-inertia and high-inertia rotor systems. What response should be expected from the low-inertia rotor helicopter?

   1. A. It settles more slowly because stored rotor energy is greater.
   2. B. It settles immediately because stored rotor energy is lower.
   3. C. It climbs initially because stored rotor energy increases.
   4. D. It maintains height because stored rotor energy is unchanged.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states, "Helicopters with low inertia rotor disks settle immediately." It contrasts this with high-inertia systems, which settle more slowly. Less stored rotor energy leaves less time to cushion the touchdown.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 11: Helicopter Emergencies and Hazards — pp. 11-8–11-9, Practicing Power Failure in a Hover

9. 9During the low reconnaissance for a confined-area helicopter approach, the instructor reassesses whether to land or go around. When should that decision be made relative to slowing below effective translational lift or descending below the surrounding barriers?

   1. A. After both the airspeed and barrier-height thresholds have been passed
   2. B. Before either the airspeed or barrier-height threshold has been passed
   3. C. After slowing below ETL but before descending below the barrier tops
   4. D. After descending below barrier tops but before slowing below ETL

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The handbook states, "the decision to land or go around must be made prior to decelerating below effective translational lift (ETL), or before descending below the barriers surrounding the confined area." The decision is made before giving up these margins, rather than after crossing one or both thresholds.

   Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 10: Advanced Flight Maneuvers — p. 10-2, Low Reconnaissance

10. 10At the end of a routine helicopter flight, the instructor shuts down with passengers aboard. Under the handbook’s after-landing guidance, until what point should passengers remain seated with seat belts secured?

    1. A. Until the engine reaches ground idle
    2. B. Until electrical power has been switched off
    3. C. Until the rotor blades have stopped turning
    4. D. Until the engine has been completely shut down

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The handbook states, "Passengers should remain in the helicopter with their seats belts secured until the rotors have stopped turning." Ground idle, electrical power off, and engine shutdown are real shutdown milestones, but rotor coasting can continue after them. Rotor stoppage is the specified threshold.

    Reference: Helicopter Flying Handbook — Chapter 8: Ground Procedures and Flight Preparations — p. 8-6, After Landing and Securing