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FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Knowledge Test Practice Test

The FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Knowledge Test (FIH) concerns the knowledge and instructional judgment used to teach helicopter operations in instrument conditions. Practice questions sample instrument scanning, control coordination during climbs, cockpit-system monitoring, and decisions involving communications, altimeter settings, and transponder use.

Exam overview

Exam providerFederal Aviation Administration
Exam codeFIH
CategoryAviation

About the FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Knowledge Test Exam

Instrument instructors must help learners connect instrument indications with aircraft response and maintain control when outside visual references are unavailable. Relevant skills include explaining how cyclic and collective inputs affect pitch, airspeed, and climb performance; recognizing a coordinated turn from turn-and-slip indications; and using autopilot mode annunciations to confirm which functions are active. Instruction also involves teaching the pilot to monitor an engaged autopilot rather than rely on it as a substitute for aircraft control. Operational decisions may include prioritizing actions after a radio failure in controlled airspace, correcting an outdated altimeter setting, and understanding the surveillance information associated with an assigned transponder code. These sample topics emphasize interpreting indications, managing workload, and explaining procedures clearly during instrument lessons.

Sample Practice Questions

Review a selection from this exam's published US Practice Tests practice bank.

Question 1

When flying in instrument conditions, why is a deliberate instrument scan important?

  1. AIt helps the pilot detect changes in aircraft attitude and performance before they become large deviations
  2. BIt eliminates the need to monitor aircraft systems
  3. CIt ensures that every instrument displays the same type of information
  4. DIt allows the pilot to determine visibility without outside references
Show answerCorrect answer: A

A systematic scan helps the pilot recognize trends and deviations in attitude and performance promptly, supporting timely corrections and reducing fixation on a single instrument.

Question 2

A helicopter’s communication radio becomes inoperative in instrument meteorological conditions while operating in controlled airspace. What is the pilot’s first priority?

  1. AMaintain aircraft control and then follow the applicable lost-communications procedures.
  2. BImmediately descend below all surrounding terrain to regain visual contact.
  3. CChange the transponder code repeatedly until ATC responds.
  4. DTurn off all electrical equipment and continue without a plan.
Show answerCorrect answer: A

The pilot should first maintain safe control of the helicopter, then apply the prescribed communications-failure procedures appropriate to the circumstances and clearance. Lost-communications procedures are intended to support predictable coordination with ATC.

Question 3

A helicopter is established in a constant-rate climb at a fixed airspeed. Which control adjustment is generally used to maintain the climb rate while keeping the airspeed on target?

  1. AAdjust collective to control climb performance and use cyclic to maintain airspeed attitude
  2. BUse pedals alone to control climb rate
  3. CUse cyclic alone to increase power
  4. DReduce rotor RPM to hold the climb rate
Show answerCorrect answer: A

In normal helicopter instrument flying, collective changes are used to adjust power and climb or descent performance, while cyclic attitude is adjusted to maintain the desired airspeed. Coordinated pedal input may also be needed as power changes.

Question 4

While teaching instrument flight, an instructor asks a student to fly a constant-airspeed climb. Which control relationship is generally used to manage the climb while maintaining the target airspeed?

  1. AUse cyclic primarily to control airspeed and collective primarily to control climb rate, coordinating power as needed.
  2. BUse pedals to control climb rate and cyclic to control engine RPM.
  3. CUse collective to control heading and pedals to control airspeed.
  4. DUse cyclic only, since power changes do not affect climb performance.
Show answerCorrect answer: A

In a helicopter, cyclic pitch is commonly used to establish the attitude and airspeed, while collective and associated power adjustments are used to achieve the desired climb performance. Coordination and aircraft-specific procedures remain important.

Question 5

During an instrument lesson, what is a sound method for demonstrating how a helicopter responds to a control input?

  1. AMake one small input, allow the aircraft to respond, and observe the resulting instrument trend
  2. BApply simultaneous large cyclic and pedal inputs to make the response easier to see
  3. CChange several controls rapidly so the student can compare their combined effects
  4. DUse instruments only after the helicopter has returned to its original attitude
Show answerCorrect answer: A

A measured input followed by time to observe the response helps the student connect control movement with aircraft motion without introducing unnecessary instability.

Question 6

In a helicopter equipped with an electrically driven turn-and-slip indicator, what does the inclinometer’s ball primarily show?

  1. AWhether the aircraft’s lateral acceleration is consistent with coordinated flight.
  2. BWhether the aircraft is climbing or descending.
  3. CWhether the heading indicator is aligned with magnetic north.
  4. DWhether the pitot tube is producing sufficient pressure.
Show answerCorrect answer: A

The inclinometer’s ball responds to gravity and lateral acceleration. Centering it indicates a coordinated condition; displacement indicates a slip or skid. The ball does not show vertical speed, heading alignment, or pitot-system performance.

Question 7

What is the principal benefit of using an autopilot's mode annunciations during instrument flight?

  1. AThey show which lateral or vertical guidance modes are active or armed
  2. BThey guarantee the helicopter will remain within all approach limits
  3. CThey replace the need to monitor flight instruments
  4. DThey indicate the weather conditions outside the aircraft
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Mode annunciations help the pilot confirm what the autopilot is doing or preparing to do. The pilot remains responsible for monitoring aircraft performance and system operation.

How to use this practice test

The free practice bank contains 50 published questions. Each session presents up to 20 questions selected at random and shows results afterward. Use a session to identify which instrument indications, helicopter control relationships, or operational decisions need more focused review; then revisit those concepts before another attempt.

Preparation tips

  • Practice a deliberate instrument scan and explain how it helps detect attitude, heading, altitude, and performance deviations before they become larger.
  • Review how helicopter control inputs affect a constant-airspeed climb, and distinguish the adjustments used to manage climb rate from those used to hold airspeed.
  • Study the inclinometer’s ball indication and how it relates to coordinated flight when interpreting a turn-and-slip indicator.
  • Rehearse instrument-flight decisions for radio failure in controlled airspace, including prioritizing aircraft control and applicable communication procedures.
  • Explain what autopilot mode annunciations, altimeter settings, and assigned transponder codes tell the pilot, and what must still be monitored or corrected.
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