SIFT (Selection Instrument for Flight Training) Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A pilot is heading north and sees a long straight road running diagonally from the lower-left to the upper-right of the cockpit view. In what direction does the road actually run?

North-South
East-West
Northwest-Southeast
Northeast-Southwest (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Northeast-Southwest

A road angling from lower-left to upper-right while heading north runs in a northeast-southwest direction.

Question 2: What does 'brownout' refer to as a hazard in Army helicopter operations?

An electrical power interruption causing cockpit instrument failure during landing
A complete loss of visual reference caused by rotor downwash stirring up dust or sand during low hover and landing (Correct answer)
A night-vision goggle malfunction caused by excessive ambient light
Engine compressor stall caused by dust ingestion at low altitude

Correct answer: A complete loss of visual reference caused by rotor downwash stirring up dust or sand during low hover and landing

Brownout occurs when rotor downwash lifts sand or dust into a dense cloud that eliminates the pilot's external visual reference during hover and landing, requiring instrument-referenced flight.

Question 3: What is the primary function of a flywheel in a mechanical system?

To change the direction of power flow
To store rotational kinetic energy and smooth out speed fluctuations (Correct answer)
To regulate fluid pressure in a hydraulic system
To increase the gear ratio of a transmission

Correct answer: To store rotational kinetic energy and smooth out speed fluctuations

A flywheel stores rotational kinetic energy due to its mass and rotational speed, smoothing out power delivery by releasing energy during low-power phases of a cycle.

Question 4: A thrust is produced by

The main rotor of a helicopter
The engine(s) of a helicopter (Correct answer)
The tail rotor of a helicopter
The fuselage of a helicopter

Correct answer: The engine(s) of a helicopter

Thrust is the force that propels an aircraft. In a helicopter, the engine(s) are responsible for generating the power that drives the main rotor system. It is the rotation of these main rotor blades, powered by the engine(s), that creates the aerodynamic forces, including both lift and thrust, necessary for flight.

Question 5: Another name for settling with power is

Emergency landing
Vortex ring state (Correct answer)
Coaxial rotor maneuver
In ground effect

Correct answer: Vortex ring state

Settling with power is a dangerous aerodynamic condition where a helicopter descends into its own downwash, causing the rotor blades to operate in turbulent air that has already passed through the rotor. This leads to a significant loss of lift and control, even with power applied. This condition is also commonly known as a vortex ring state.

Question 6: A sequence shows: 1 dot → 2 dots → 4 dots → 8 dots → ?

16 dots (Correct answer)
12 dots
10 dots
9 dots

Correct answer: 16 dots

The pattern doubles each time: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16. This is a geometric sequence with ratio 2.

Question 7: What are the four forces acting on an aircraft in flight?

Lift, weight, thrust, and drag (Correct answer)
Push, pull, gravity, speed
Power, resistance, gravity, and wind
Roll, pitch, yaw, and spin

Correct answer: Lift, weight, thrust, and drag

The four fundamental forces in flight are lift (upward), weight/gravity (downward), thrust (forward), and drag (rearward). Balanced forces result in steady flight.

Question 8: What is the US Army's primary multi-mission helicopter, used for utility transport and assault operations?

OH-58 Kiowa
UH-60 Black Hawk (Correct answer)
CH-47 Chinook
AH-64 Apache

Correct answer: UH-60 Black Hawk

The UH-60 Black Hawk is the Army's primary utility helicopter, used for troop transport, medical evacuation, and various other missions.

Question 9: What is 'crew coordination' in Army aviation?

Structured communication and task-sharing between crew members to enhance safety (Correct answer)
The process of scheduling flight crews for missions
The coordination of multiple aircraft in formation flight
Ground crew coordination for aircraft maintenance

Correct answer: Structured communication and task-sharing between crew members to enhance safety

Crew coordination refers to structured communication procedures and task-sharing between cockpit crew members to reduce workload and prevent errors.

Question 10: Read the following passage and answer the question below. "While many individuals contributed to the concept of vertical flight, Russian-American engineer Igor Sikorsky is widely credited with developing the first practical single-rotor helicopter. His design, the VS-300, which first flew in 1939, established the single main rotor and tail rotor configuration that would become the standard for the vast majority of helicopters. Unlike earlier multi-rotor designs that were often complex and unstable, Sikorsky's configuration provided effective control and counteracted the physics of torque—the tendency of the main body of the helicopter to spin in the opposite direction of the main rotor. This breakthrough was pivotal in transitioning the helicopter from an experimental concept to a viable aircraft." What was the primary problem that Sikorsky's single main rotor and tail rotor design successfully solved?

The inability of early helicopters to achieve high altitudes.
Inefficient fuel consumption in early designs.
The structural weakness of multi-rotor systems.
The tendency of the helicopter's body to rotate due to torque. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The tendency of the helicopter's body to rotate due to torque.

The passage clearly states that Sikorsky's configuration 'provided effective control and counteracted the physics of torque—the tendency of the main body of the helicopter to spin in the opposite direction of the main rotor.'

Question 11: An attitude indicator shows the horizon bar perfectly level and centered in the display. What is the aircraft's state?

Wings level, nose above horizon — climbing
Right bank, nose below horizon — right descending turn
Wings level, nose on the horizon — straight and level flight (Correct answer)
Left bank, nose on horizon — level left turn

Correct answer: Wings level, nose on the horizon — straight and level flight

A centered, level horizon bar indicates no bank and no pitch deviation — straight and level flight.

Question 12: Which agency publishes the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) that govern US civil aviation?

Department of Defense (DoD)
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The FAA publishes and enforces the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), officially known as Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Question 13: Read: 'Bias in a written passage can appear as selective presentation of facts, emotionally charged language, or failure to acknowledge opposing viewpoints. Recognizing bias does not mean the passage is factually incorrect; biased passages may contain accurate information presented from a partial perspective.' According to the passage, what does recognizing bias mean?

The passage is entirely unreliable and should be discarded
The author intentionally misled readers with false statistics
The passage contains factual errors that must be identified
The information may be accurate but presented from a partial perspective (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The information may be accurate but presented from a partial perspective

The passage states that biased passages may contain accurate information presented from a partial perspective, so recognizing bias doesn't mean the facts are wrong.

Question 14: What does 'MSL' mean in aviation altimetry?

Maximum Speed Limit
Minimum Safe Landing
Mean Sea Level — the average ocean surface used as altitude reference (Correct answer)
Military Standard Level

Correct answer: Mean Sea Level — the average ocean surface used as altitude reference

MSL stands for Mean Sea Level, the average ocean surface level used as the standard zero reference for measuring altitude in aviation.

Question 15: What is the primary hazard of structural icing on a helicopter's main rotor blades?

Increased rotor RPM beyond limits
Vibration that locks the anti-torque pedals
Magnetic interference with navigation instruments
Disruption of the rotor's airfoil shape, reducing lift and increasing drag (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Disruption of the rotor's airfoil shape, reducing lift and increasing drag

Ice accumulation distorts the rotor blade's airfoil profile, degrading aerodynamic efficiency and potentially causing asymmetric lift and blade imbalance.

Question 16: A smaller gear with 15 teeth is driving a larger gear with 45 teeth. If the smaller gear completes 3 full rotations, how many rotations will the larger gear complete?

3 rotations
1 rotation (Correct answer)
1.5 rotations
9 rotations

Correct answer: 1 rotation

The relationship between two meshed gears is determined by their gear ratio, which is the ratio of the number of teeth on each gear. The gear ratio here is 45:15, which simplifies to 3:1. This means for every 3 rotations of the smaller (drive) gear, the larger (driven) gear will complete 1 rotation.

Question 17: What is the purpose of the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) rating for Army aviators?

To certify the pilot for night vision goggle operations
To qualify the pilot to fly multi-engine helicopters
To authorize flight in instrument meteorological conditions using aircraft instruments alone for navigation (Correct answer)
To allow flight in any weather condition with no restrictions

Correct answer: To authorize flight in instrument meteorological conditions using aircraft instruments alone for navigation

An IFR rating authorizes pilots to fly in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) where visibility is too low for Visual Flight Rules, relying solely on cockpit instruments.

Question 18: Read: 'Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. High density altitude conditions—hot, humid, and high-elevation environments—reduce aircraft engine power and rotor efficiency, degrading helicopter performance.' In which environment would density altitude MOST negatively affect helicopter performance?

Hot, humid, high-elevation conditions (Correct answer)
Cold, dry, sea-level conditions
Cool, humid, moderate-elevation conditions
Warm, dry, low-elevation conditions

Correct answer: Hot, humid, high-elevation conditions

The passage explicitly lists hot, humid, and high-elevation environments as creating high density altitude conditions that degrade helicopter performance.

Question 19: Which type of airspace requires a clearance from ATC before entry under all conditions?

Class B airspace (Correct answer)
Class G airspace
Class E airspace
Class D airspace

Correct answer: Class B airspace

Class B airspace surrounds the nation's busiest airports and requires an ATC clearance before entry regardless of weather conditions.

Question 20: What is gyroscopic precession as it applies to helicopter rotors?

The tendency of the rotor to resist changes in speed
A force applied to a spinning rotor acts 90 degrees later in the direction of rotation (Correct answer)
The tendency of rotor blades to flap upward under lift
The wobble caused by unbalanced rotor blades

Correct answer: A force applied to a spinning rotor acts 90 degrees later in the direction of rotation

Gyroscopic precession means a force applied to a spinning disc takes effect 90 degrees in the direction of rotation from the point of application.

Question 21: A triangle has vertices at (1,1), (4,1), and (1,4). After reflecting across the line y = x, where is the vertex originally at (4,1)?

(1,4) (Correct answer)
(4,1)
(−4,1)
(1,−4)

Correct answer: (1,4)

Reflecting across y = x swaps the x and y coordinates, so (4,1) becomes (1,4).

Question 22: Which of the following components translates the pilot's cyclic and collective control inputs from the non-rotating fuselage to the rotating main rotor blades?

Rotor hub
Mast
Swashplate (Correct answer)
Transmission

Correct answer: Swashplate

The swashplate is a critical mechanical assembly that consists of a stationary part and a rotating part. It tilts and moves vertically in response to pilot inputs, transferring these commands to the rotating rotor blades via pitch links, thereby controlling the helicopter's flight.

Question 23: A hydraulic jack multiplies force by having a small piston with area 2 cm² and a large piston with area 20 cm². What force does the large piston exert if 100 N is applied to the small piston?

100 N
10 N
1000 N (Correct answer)
200 N

Correct answer: 1000 N

Pascal's principle: F_large / A_large = F_small / A_small, so F_large = 100 N × (20/2) = 1000 N.

Question 24: A figure shows a 2×2 grid. Top-left: large X; top-right: small X; bottom-left: large O; bottom-right: ?

Large O
Large X
Small O (Correct answer)
Small X

Correct answer: Small O

The pattern pairs large (left) with small (right) in each row. Large X → small X; large O → small O.

Question 25: Practicing visualization exercises such as mentally rotating simple shapes helps on Hidden Figures primarily because it:

Increases working memory for number sequences
Improves reading speed and verbal fluency
Strengthens the brain's ability to hold a shape's form in mind while visually searching (Correct answer)
Builds familiarity with aviation instrument layouts

Correct answer: Strengthens the brain's ability to hold a shape's form in mind while visually searching

Holding a clear mental image of the target shape while scanning a complex drawing is a working-memory task; visualization practice strengthens this capacity.

Question 26: What is the relationship between pressure and volume in a gas at constant temperature (Boyle's Law)?

Pressure stays constant regardless of volume changes
Pressure and volume are inversely proportional — as one increases, the other decreases (Correct answer)
Pressure and volume are independent — they don't affect each other
Pressure and volume are directly proportional — both increase together

Correct answer: Pressure and volume are inversely proportional — as one increases, the other decreases

Boyle's Law states that at constant temperature, the pressure of a gas is inversely proportional to its volume (P₁V₁ = P₂V₂). Compress a gas and its pressure rises.

Question 27: An inclined plane reduces the force needed to lift an object by increasing which quantity?

The normal force
The distance over which force is applied (Correct answer)
The weight of the object
Gravitational acceleration

Correct answer: The distance over which force is applied

An inclined plane trades increased distance for reduced force, allowing the same work to be done with less effort.

Question 28: Which approach is most time-efficient when a candidate cannot immediately spot the embedded figure?

Systematically trace each side of the target shape across the complex drawing (Correct answer)
Re-read the question stem multiple times
Skip the item entirely and return only if time permits
Focus on the center of the complex image and expand outward in a spiral

Correct answer: Systematically trace each side of the target shape across the complex drawing

Systematically following each line segment of the target shape across the complex drawing is the most reliable method for locating a hidden figure when it is not immediately obvious.

Question 29: A passage states: 'The helicopter's autorotation capability allows pilots to land safely even without engine power, provided they maintain adequate rotor RPM throughout the descent.' What is the PRIMARY condition for a successful autorotation landing?

The pilot must radio for emergency assistance
The landing gear must be deployed before descent begins
Adequate rotor RPM must be maintained throughout the descent (Correct answer)
The helicopter must have a backup engine engaged

Correct answer: Adequate rotor RPM must be maintained throughout the descent

The passage explicitly states that adequate rotor RPM must be maintained throughout the descent for a successful autorotation.

Question 30: During an engine failure, a pilot initiates an autorotation. What is the primary purpose of lowering the collective lever immediately?

To steer the helicopter towards a landing zone.
To increase the lift and soften the initial descent.
To quickly reduce forward airspeed.
To maintain rotor RPM by using the upward flow of air. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To maintain rotor RPM by using the upward flow of air.

In an autorotation, the engine is no longer driving the rotors. The pilot must immediately lower the collective to reduce the pitch (and thus drag) on the main rotor blades. This allows the upward flow of air through the rotor disc to keep the blades spinning, which is essential for maintaining lift and control for a safe landing.

Question 31: What does 'VFR' stand for in aviation?

Variable Frequency Radio
Verified Fuel Reserve
Visual Flight Rules (Correct answer)
Vectored Flight Reference

Correct answer: Visual Flight Rules

VFR (Visual Flight Rules) refers to the set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions clear enough to allow the pilot to see and avoid obstacles and other traffic.

Question 32: What is 'autorotation' in helicopter emergency procedures?

A procedure where the copilot takes over flight controls automatically
An emergency engine restart procedure using rotor momentum
A flight condition where the rotor is driven by airflow rather than the engine, allowing a controlled descent (Correct answer)
An automatic stabilization system that prevents rotor overspeed

Correct answer: A flight condition where the rotor is driven by airflow rather than the engine, allowing a controlled descent

Autorotation is a flight condition where upward airflow through the rotor system drives the rotor blades, enabling the helicopter to descend in a controlled manner without engine power.

Question 33: What is the role of the pitch-change links (pitch links) on a helicopter rotor?

Connect the rotor blade to the main rotor shaft
Transmit pitch inputs from the swashplate to individual rotor blades (Correct answer)
Link the collective control to the tail rotor
Balance the weight of each rotor blade

Correct answer: Transmit pitch inputs from the swashplate to individual rotor blades

Pitch links connect the rotating swashplate to the pitch horns on each rotor blade, transferring swashplate motion into individual blade pitch changes.

Question 34: What does 'the four forces of flight' refer to?

Speed, altitude, heading, and attitude
Roll, pitch, yaw, and surge
Power, torque, velocity, and altitude
Lift, weight, thrust, and drag (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Lift, weight, thrust, and drag

The four forces acting on an aircraft in flight are lift (upward), weight (downward), thrust (forward), and drag (rearward). Flight is controlled by managing the balance of these forces.

Question 35: The horizon line in a cockpit instrument view appears perfectly horizontal and sits at the top quarter of the display. What does this indicate?

Left bank, nose level
Right bank, nose pitched up
Wings level, nose pitched down (Correct answer)
Wings level, nose pitched up

Correct answer: Wings level, nose pitched down

A high horizon line means the nose is pointed below it, indicating a nose-down pitch with no bank.

Question 36: A figure has exactly two lines of symmetry. Which shape could it be?

Scalene triangle
Rectangle (non-square) (Correct answer)
Right triangle
General parallelogram

Correct answer: Rectangle (non-square)

A non-square rectangle has exactly two lines of symmetry: one horizontal and one vertical.

Question 37: A figure shows a right triangle with the right angle at the bottom-left. Which rotation places the right angle at the top-right?

270° clockwise
180°
90° counter-clockwise
90° clockwise (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 90° clockwise

Rotating 90° clockwise moves the bottom-left corner to the top-right position.

Question 38: An aircraft is flying straight and level, parallel to a coastline. The coast is visible on the left side of the aircraft. From the pilot's point of view, what would be seen?

The horizon is centered and level, with land on the right and water on the left.
The horizon is below the center, tilted down to the left, with land on the left.
The horizon is above the center, tilted down to the right, with water on the left.
The horizon is centered and level, with land on the left and water on the right. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The horizon is centered and level, with land on the left and water on the right.

Straight and level flight means the horizon will appear centered and not tilted. If the aircraft is flying parallel to a coastline that is on its left, the pilot will see land on their left and the body of water on their right.

Question 39: What is the Army's 'DECIDE' model for aircraft emergency procedures?

Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate — a decision-making model for in-flight emergencies (Correct answer)
A communication protocol for air traffic control contact
A navigation planning model for instrument approaches
A checklist acronym for normal engine start procedures

Correct answer: Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate — a decision-making model for in-flight emergencies

The DECIDE model provides a structured approach to in-flight decision making: Detect the problem, Estimate the need to react, Choose a course of action, Identify solutions, Do the best action, Evaluate the outcome.

Question 40: On a sectional aeronautical chart, what color is used to depict Class D controlled airspace around smaller airports with operating control towers?

Magenta
Blue (Correct answer)
Green
Red

Correct answer: Blue

Class D airspace is depicted on sectional charts with a dashed blue boundary line encircling the airport, typically extending to 2,500 feet AGL.

Question 41: What is the difference between hovering in ground effect (IGE) and out of ground effect (OGE)?

There is no power difference between IGE and OGE at the same weight
OGE requires more power because the rotor cannot benefit from ground interference with downwash (Correct answer)
IGE requires more power because rotor vortices are trapped under the helicopter
IGE requires more power because the helicopter is closer to obstacles

Correct answer: OGE requires more power because the rotor cannot benefit from ground interference with downwash

OGE hovering requires significantly more power because the rotor operates without the efficiency benefit of ground effect, and density altitude OGE limits are lower than IGE limits.

Question 42: Passage: 'A standard IFR approach plate contains the minimum descent altitude, required visual references for landing, and missed approach instructions. Pilots must review the plate before beginning the approach, not during it.' What is the central instruction?

Missed approach procedures may be ignored in good weather
Pilots should review approach procedures before the approach begins, not while flying it (Correct answer)
IFR approach plates are optional for experienced pilots
Minimum descent altitude is the most important element on the plate

Correct answer: Pilots should review approach procedures before the approach begins, not while flying it

The passage's central instruction is explicit: review the plate before the approach, not during it. This is the main point, supported by listing what the plate contains.

Question 43: What is the effect of increasing density altitude on helicopter performance?

No change if outside air temperature is constant
Reduced lift, decreased engine power, and degraded performance (Correct answer)
Increased lift and improved engine power
Increased rotor efficiency due to less air resistance

Correct answer: Reduced lift, decreased engine power, and degraded performance

Higher density altitude means thinner air, reducing rotor lift efficiency and engine power output, significantly degrading helicopter performance.

Question 44: An electric motor draws 5 A at 120 V. What is its power consumption?

3,600 W
24 W
120 W
600 W (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 600 W

Electrical power P = V × I = 120 × 5 = 600 W. This is the rate of electrical energy consumption.

Question 45: Which instrument measures the main rotor and engine RPM in a helicopter?

Tachometer (Correct answer)
Turn coordinator
Altimeter
Manifold pressure gauge

Correct answer: Tachometer

The tachometer displays rotational speed (RPM) and typically shows both engine RPM and rotor RPM so the pilot can monitor their relationship.

Question 46: During a turn to the north in the Northern Hemisphere, a magnetic compass will typically:

Overshoot — indicate past north before settling (Correct answer)
Undershoot — stop short of north before settling
Remain fixed at the original heading
Read accurately throughout the turn

Correct answer: Overshoot — indicate past north before settling

Due to compass dip and northerly turning error in the Northern Hemisphere, the compass overshoots when rolling out of a turn to north, requiring the pilot to roll out early.

Question 47: In a Spatial Apperception test item, you see a cockpit view where the horizon is level and positioned below the center of the display. What attitude is the aircraft in?

Wings level, nose down
Right bank, nose down
Wings level, nose up (Correct answer)
Left bank, nose up

Correct answer: Wings level, nose up

A horizon below the center of the display means the nose is above the horizon, indicating a nose-up (climbing) attitude with no bank.

Question 48: If you double the mass of an object while keeping acceleration constant, the required force:

Halves
Doubles (Correct answer)
Remains the same
Quadruples

Correct answer: Doubles

From F = ma, doubling mass while holding acceleration constant requires doubling the force.

Question 49: An airspeed indicator marked with a yellow arc indicates:

Normal operating range (caution speed)
Caution range — smooth air operations only (Correct answer)
Flap operating range
Never-exceed speed zone

Correct answer: Caution range — smooth air operations only

The yellow arc on an airspeed indicator represents the caution range where flight should be conducted only in smooth air, between Vno (maximum structural cruising speed) and Vne (never-exceed speed).

Question 50: Which cognitive ability is most directly measured by the SIFT Hidden Figures subtest?

Verbal comprehension
Short-term auditory memory
Field independence and visual discrimination (Correct answer)
Numerical reasoning

Correct answer: Field independence and visual discrimination

Hidden Figures measures field independence — the ability to isolate a relevant visual element from a distracting, complex background.

Question 51: What is 'density altitude' and why is it important to a pilot?

True altitude minus the effect of magnetic variation
Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature, indicating aircraft performance potential (Correct answer)
Altitude measured from the closest terrain feature below the aircraft
The altitude at which the aircraft's oxygen system must be activated

Correct answer: Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature, indicating aircraft performance potential

Density altitude is pressure altitude adjusted for temperature; high density altitude (hot, high, humid conditions) means thinner air, reducing engine power, rotor/propeller efficiency, and aerodynamic lift.

Question 52: Which of the following is NOT a property that rotations preserve?

Shape
Side lengths
Position in the plane (Correct answer)
Angle measures

Correct answer: Position in the plane

Rotation is a rigid motion preserving shape, size, and angles, but it changes where the figure sits in the plane.

Question 53: A wedge is a modified version of which simple machine?

Lever
Inclined plane (Correct answer)
Pulley
Wheel and axle

Correct answer: Inclined plane

A wedge is essentially two inclined planes joined back-to-back and converts a downward force into horizontal splitting forces.

Question 54: If a helicopter must climb 4,500 feet over a horizontal distance of 9 miles, what is the climb gradient in feet per mile?

2,000 feet/mile
500 feet/mile (Correct answer)
200 feet/mile
900 feet/mile

Correct answer: 500 feet/mile

Climb gradient = altitude change / horizontal distance = 4,500 ft / 9 miles = 500 ft/mile.

Question 55: What is the purpose of a transponder Mode C in aviation?

To transmit only the aircraft's identification code
To encrypt communication between pilot and ATC
To broadcast emergency distress signals automatically
To provide ATC with the aircraft's altitude in addition to its position (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To provide ATC with the aircraft's altitude in addition to its position

Mode C transponders automatically encode and transmit the aircraft's pressure altitude along with its squawk code, giving ATC both position and altitude data.

Question 56: An aircraft is heading east at low altitude over flat farmland. A road running north-south is directly beneath the aircraft. How does the road appear from the cockpit?

At a 45° angle to the left
Stretching away ahead toward the horizon
Passing directly underneath, left-to-right (Correct answer)
At a 45° angle to the right

Correct answer: Passing directly underneath, left-to-right

Flying east over a north-south road means the road is perpendicular to the heading and passes underneath left to right.

Question 57: An arrow points to the upper-left (135°). After a 90° clockwise rotation, where does it point?

Lower-left (225°)
Lower-right (315°)
Upper-right (45°) (Correct answer)
Straight up (90°)

Correct answer: Upper-right (45°)

Rotating 135° clockwise by 90° gives 135° − 90° = 45°, which is upper-right.

Question 58: From an outside image, an aircraft appears to be flying toward the viewer (nose-on view) with the left wing lower and the nose slightly below the level horizon. What does the cockpit view show?

Horizon tilted right-side lower, horizon slightly above center (Correct answer)
Horizon tilted left-side lower, horizon slightly above center
Horizon level, horizon slightly above center
Horizon tilted left-side lower, horizon slightly below center

Correct answer: Horizon tilted right-side lower, horizon slightly above center

A left-wing-low bank is seen from inside as the right end of the horizon being lower, and a slightly nose-down attitude raises the horizon slightly above center.

Question 59: What is the meaning of a steady red light signal from an airport control tower to an aircraft in flight?

Give way to other aircraft and continue circling (Correct answer)
Land immediately — emergency in progress
Airport is closed
Clear to land

Correct answer: Give way to other aircraft and continue circling

A steady red light signal to an aircraft in flight means 'give way to other aircraft and continue circling,' indicating the pilot should not land yet.

Question 60: What is 'spatial disorientation' and why is it especially dangerous in helicopter flight?

A communication breakdown between crew members under stress
Disorientation caused by rotating rotor wash in the cockpit
A condition where a pilot's senses give false information about the aircraft's attitude, leading to loss of control (Correct answer)
A navigational error caused by faulty GPS

Correct answer: A condition where a pilot's senses give false information about the aircraft's attitude, leading to loss of control

Spatial disorientation occurs when a pilot's vestibular senses conflict with actual flight instruments, often leading to unrecognized attitude deviations and potential loss of control, particularly at night or in IMC.

Question 61: During a coordinated turn in a fixed-wing aircraft, the ball in the turn coordinator should be:

Centered (Correct answer)
Displaced to the outside of the turn
Irrelevant during turns
Displaced to the inside of the turn

Correct answer: Centered

A centered ball indicates that the turn is coordinated, meaning rudder input matches the bank angle and there is no sideslip.

Question 62: What is 'mast bumping' and why is it dangerous?

Resonance between rotor frequency and airframe structure
Contact between the rotor hub and the rotor mast in semi-rigid rotor systems, which can cause blade separation (Correct answer)
The main rotor striking the tail boom during extreme maneuvers
Vibration from an unbalanced rotor causing the mast to oscillate

Correct answer: Contact between the rotor hub and the rotor mast in semi-rigid rotor systems, which can cause blade separation

Mast bumping occurs in teetering rotor systems when the rotor hub contacts the mast, typically in low-G flight, and can rapidly lead to catastrophic blade separation.

Question 63: Read the following passage and answer the question below. "The four fundamental forces affecting an aircraft in flight are lift, weight, thrust, and drag. For an aircraft to maintain straight-and-level, unaccelerated flight, these forces must be in equilibrium. Lift, the upward aerodynamic force, must be equal to weight, the downward force of gravity. Thrust, the forward force from the propulsion system, must be equal to drag, the rearward-acting resistive force. If thrust is increased while lift and weight remain in balance, the aircraft will accelerate. Conversely, if drag becomes greater than thrust, the aircraft will decelerate. A change in one force necessitates a change in another to maintain the desired state of flight." According to the passage, what is the direct result of thrust being less than drag?

The aircraft's weight will increase.
The aircraft will decelerate. (Correct answer)
The aircraft will accelerate.
The aircraft will climb.

Correct answer: The aircraft will decelerate.

The passage explicitly states, 'Conversely, if drag becomes greater than thrust, the aircraft will decelerate.' This indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship between the imbalance of thrust and drag and the aircraft's motion.

Question 64: Solve for x: 3x + 7 = 22

x = 5 (Correct answer)
x = 3
x = 7
x = 9

Correct answer: x = 5

Subtract 7 from both sides: 3x = 15. Divide by 3: x = 5.

Question 65: A right-pointing arrow is reflected across a horizontal axis. The result is:

An upward-pointing arrow
A downward-pointing arrow
A left-pointing arrow
A right-pointing arrow (unchanged) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A right-pointing arrow (unchanged)

Reflecting a horizontal arrow across a horizontal axis flips it top-to-bottom but leaves its left-right direction unchanged.

Question 66: A pilot looks out of the cockpit and sees the horizon line tilted down to the right and positioned in the upper half of their view. Which of the following correctly describes the aircraft's attitude?

Descending and banking to the right.
Climbing and banking to the left.
Climbing and banking to the right.
Descending and banking to the left. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Descending and banking to the left.

When the horizon appears in the upper half of the view, it means the aircraft's nose is pointed below it, indicating a descent. A horizon line tilted down to the right means the left wing is down, which corresponds to a left bank. Therefore, the aircraft is descending and banking to the left.

Question 67: An object moving in a circle at constant speed is experiencing which type of acceleration?

Tangential acceleration along the path
Centripetal acceleration toward the center (Correct answer)
Zero acceleration
Gravitational acceleration only

Correct answer: Centripetal acceleration toward the center

Even at constant speed, circular motion requires centripetal acceleration directed toward the center to change the direction of velocity.

Question 68: An object is accelerating at 3 m/s². If the net force on it is 15 N, what is its mass?

45 kg
5 kg (Correct answer)
18 kg
0.2 kg

Correct answer: 5 kg

Using Newton's Second Law: F = ma, so m = F/a = 15/3 = 5 kg.

Question 69: What does 'TOLD card' stand for in Army aviation pre-flight planning?

Terrain Obstacle and Low-Level Data card
Takeoff and Landing Data card, used to calculate performance figures for a given flight profile (Correct answer)
Target Orbit and Landing Diagram card
Tactical Operations and Logistics Data card

Correct answer: Takeoff and Landing Data card, used to calculate performance figures for a given flight profile

A TOLD card contains Takeoff and Landing Data, including calculations for hover ceiling, rate of climb, and landing distance based on current density altitude, weight, and conditions.

Question 70: An aircraft is shown flying directly toward you with its right wing down. What is the aircraft's bank and heading relative to the observer?

Banking left, heading toward observer
Banking left, heading away from observer
Banking right, heading away from observer
Banking right, heading toward observer (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Banking right, heading toward observer

When the aircraft is heading toward you and you see its right wing down, the aircraft is in a right bank moving toward the observer.

Question 71: Which primary control input would a helicopter pilot use to initiate a left pedal turn while in a hover?

Left cyclic
Left anti-torque pedal (Correct answer)
Right anti-torque pedal
Left collective

Correct answer: Left anti-torque pedal

Pushing the left anti-torque pedal increases tail rotor thrust, which yaws the nose of the helicopter to the left while in a hover.

Question 72: A candidate who scores very high on Hidden Figures but average on Spatial Apperception likely has stronger skills in:

Isolating a specific visual element from a flat, two-dimensional background (Correct answer)
Perceiving aircraft attitude from outside-view cues
Three-dimensional rotation of objects in the mind
Estimating distances and altitudes from a cockpit

Correct answer: Isolating a specific visual element from a flat, two-dimensional background

Hidden Figures is a 2-D embedded figure task, while Spatial Apperception involves inferring 3-D aircraft attitude; high Hidden Figures scores indicate superior 2-D visual search rather than 3-D spatial rotation.

Question 73: What does a transponder do in aviation?

Transmits weather data to ground stations automatically
Translates pilot speech for non-English-speaking controllers
Responds to radar interrogation signals with the aircraft's identity and altitude (Correct answer)
Controls transponder frequencies between aircraft

Correct answer: Responds to radar interrogation signals with the aircraft's identity and altitude

A transponder automatically responds to secondary surveillance radar interrogations, broadcasting a 4-digit code (squawk code) and, with Mode C/S, the aircraft's altitude.

Question 74: What component in a helicopter transmission system allows the rotor to continue spinning when the engine fails?

The freewheeling unit (one-way clutch) (Correct answer)
The centrifugal clutch
The governor
The synchronizing shaft

Correct answer: The freewheeling unit (one-way clutch)

The freewheeling unit, or one-way clutch, disengages the engine from the rotor when engine RPM drops below rotor RPM, allowing autorotation.

Question 75: What is 40% of 250?

150
10
25
100 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 100

40% of 250 = 0.40 × 250 = 100.

Question 76: What does 'MEDEVAC' specifically refer to in Army aviation?

Medical Evaluation and Vetting of Aviation Crews
Medical Emergency Vehicle and Aircraft Coordination
Medical Evacuation — the transport of wounded personnel by air (Correct answer)
Medical Equipment Vehicle Acquisition Command

Correct answer: Medical Evacuation — the transport of wounded personnel by air

MEDEVAC refers to Medical Evacuation, the use of dedicated medical aircraft (typically HH-60 Black Hawks) to transport wounded soldiers from the battlefield.

Question 77: A figure composed of two overlapping circles is rotated 360°. The result is:

Reflected
Shifted to the right
Identical to the original (Correct answer)
Reduced in size

Correct answer: Identical to the original

A full 360° rotation returns any figure to its exact original position and appearance.

Question 78: What is the function of the altimeter setting (Kollsman window) on an altimeter?

To convert indicated altitude to pressure altitude
To reset the gyro to the correct heading
To adjust airspeed for density altitude
To correct the altimeter for local barometric pressure so it reads accurate elevation (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To correct the altimeter for local barometric pressure so it reads accurate elevation

The Kollsman window allows the pilot to dial in the current local altimeter setting (barometric pressure), which corrects the altimeter to accurately display true altitude above mean sea level.

Question 79: Due to the thrust produced by the tail rotor to counteract torque, a single-rotor helicopter in a hover has a natural tendency to drift sideways. This is known as:

Retreating blade stall
Transverse flow effect
Coriolis effect
Translating tendency (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Translating tendency

Translating tendency, or tail rotor drift, is the helicopter's inclination to drift laterally in the direction of tail rotor thrust. To counter the main rotor's torque (which would spin the nose right in a CCW system), the tail rotor pushes the tail to the right, causing the entire aircraft to want to move to the left. Pilots compensate with cyclic input. Note: The question describes the drift direction for a CW rotor system, but the principle is the same. The key is that tail rotor thrust causes a sideways drift. A better phrasing is 'drift in the direction of tail rotor thrust'. Let's assume a CW rotor to match the answer. Correction: For a standard US helicopter (CCW rotor), the torque is to the right. The tail rotor pushes the tail to the right to move the nose left, which creates a tendency for the entire helicopter to drift to the right. The pilot compensates with left cyclic.

Question 80: Read: 'Dehydration degrades cognitive function in ways that mimic fatigue: slower reaction times, reduced concentration, impaired decision-making, and increased risk of spatial disorientation.' What is the author's purpose?

To argue that fatigue is less dangerous than dehydration for pilots
To compare dehydration effects with symptoms of other medical conditions
To recommend how much water pilots should drink daily
To demonstrate that dehydration produces performance decrements similar to fatigue, making it a serious flight hazard (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To demonstrate that dehydration produces performance decrements similar to fatigue, making it a serious flight hazard

The author's purpose is to illustrate that dehydration is dangerous because it causes performance failures that mirror fatigue — making the implicit argument that dehydration should be taken as seriously as fatigue.

Question 81: If a lever has a 4-foot effort arm and a 1-foot resistance arm, what is the mechanical advantage?

1
4 (Correct answer)
0.25
5

Correct answer: 4

Mechanical advantage of a lever = effort arm length / resistance arm length = 4 / 1 = 4. A force applied at 4 feet can lift 4 times the load at 1 foot.

Question 82: In Army aviation navigation, what does a magnetic compass primarily measure?

The horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field to indicate direction (Correct answer)
Air pressure changes to determine altitude
The aircraft's speed relative to the ground
The rate of turn in degrees per second

Correct answer: The horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field to indicate direction

A magnetic compass aligns with the horizontal component of Earth's magnetic field, providing the pilot with a magnetic heading reference.

Question 83: The principle that a force applied to a rotating object will manifest its effect approximately 90 degrees later in the direction of rotation is fundamental to helicopter flight controls. What is this principle called?

Newton's Third Law
Gyroscopic Precession (Correct answer)
Bernoulli's Principle
Venturi Effect

Correct answer: Gyroscopic Precession

Gyroscopic precession dictates that a force applied to a spinning disc (like a helicopter's main rotor) will have its maximum effect about 90 degrees later in the direction of rotation. Helicopter swashplate and pitch link designs are engineered to account for this, applying control inputs 90 degrees ahead of the desired blade action.

Question 84: Which instrument would a pilot check first to identify spatial disorientation (vestibular illusion) in IMC?

Attitude indicator (Correct answer)
Airspeed indicator
Magnetic compass
Engine manifold pressure gauge

Correct answer: Attitude indicator

The attitude indicator provides an immediate, reliable picture of pitch and bank and is the primary reference to correct spatial disorientation since human senses are unreliable in clouds.

Question 85: A ball is thrown vertically upward. At the peak of its trajectory, what is its velocity?

Equal to its initial velocity
Maximum negative velocity
Maximum positive velocity
Zero (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Zero

At the highest point, the ball has momentarily stopped moving upward before gravity pulls it back down. Its instantaneous velocity is zero at the peak.

Question 86: Two figures are congruent if and only if one can be mapped to the other by:

A rigid motion (translation, rotation, or reflection) (Correct answer)
A shear
A horizontal stretch
A dilation

Correct answer: A rigid motion (translation, rotation, or reflection)

Congruence is defined by the existence of a rigid motion (isometry) mapping one figure exactly onto the other.

Question 87: What is the 'H-V diagram' (Height-Velocity diagram) used for in helicopter operations?

A graph of engine power vs. airspeed for performance planning
A diagram of helicopter control input movements
A chart showing hover ceiling vs. outside air temperature
A chart identifying dangerous combinations of altitude and airspeed where a safe autorotation landing may not be possible (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A chart identifying dangerous combinations of altitude and airspeed where a safe autorotation landing may not be possible

The H-V (Height-Velocity) diagram defines combinations of height above ground and airspeed that are considered unsafe for autorotation in the event of an engine failure.

Question 88: Imagine five simple, abstract figures are presented in a row. Four of the figures are identical rotations of each other, but one cannot be made to match the others simply by rotating it in two dimensions. Which of the following describes the unique figure?

A figure that is rotated 90 degrees clockwise from the first figure.
A figure that is scaled 10% larger than the other four.
A figure that is a mirror image (a reflection) of the other four. (Correct answer)
A figure that is identical to the first figure in the series.

Correct answer: A figure that is a mirror image (a reflection) of the other four.

In tasks requiring mental rotation, a mirror image cannot be oriented to match the original figure through rotation alone. It is a reflection, a fundamentally different geometric operation. The other options (scaling, rotation, or being identical) do not make the figure unique in the same way, as rotation is the allowed transformation.

Question 89: What weather phenomenon is most dangerous for rotary-wing aircraft?

Light rain
Icing conditions, which can change rotor blade aerodynamics and add weight (Correct answer)
Clear skies
Moderate winds

Correct answer: Icing conditions, which can change rotor blade aerodynamics and add weight

Ice accumulation on rotor blades changes their aerodynamic shape, reduces lift, adds weight, and can cause dangerous vibrations, making icing extremely hazardous for helicopters.

Question 90: Which of the subsequent is not a typical helicopter taxi maneuver?

Rotor Taxi (Correct answer)
Air Taxi
Ground Taxi
Hover Taxi

Correct answer: Rotor Taxi

Standard helicopter taxi maneuvers include Ground Taxi (moving on wheels), Hover Taxi (moving slowly above the ground, typically below 20 knots and 20 feet AGL), and Air Taxi (moving faster and/or higher than a hover taxi, but still below normal cruising flight). 'Rotor Taxi' is not a recognized or typical term for a helicopter taxi maneuver.

Question 91: What is the unit of power in the SI system?

Watt (Correct answer)
Newton
Pascal
Joule

Correct answer: Watt

The watt (W) is the SI unit of power, equal to one joule per second (J/s). Power measures the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred.

Question 92: Two blocks, A (10 kg) and B (5 kg), rest on a frictionless surface connected by a string. If a 30 N force is applied to block A, what is the tension in the string?

30 N
5 N
10 N (Correct answer)
15 N

Correct answer: 10 N

Total mass = 15 kg. Acceleration a = F/m_total = 30/15 = 2 m/s². Tension = m_B × a = 5 × 2 = 10 N.

Question 93: A simple drawing shows a crescent shape pointing right. After a vertical-axis reflection followed by a 180° rotation, the crescent points:

Left
Down
Right (Correct answer)
Up

Correct answer: Right

Vertical reflection reverses it to point left; the subsequent 180° rotation reverses it again, returning it to pointing right.

Question 94: An aircraft is flying straight and level heading west. A river runs north-south below. How will the river appear from the cockpit?

Running directly away from the pilot toward the horizon
Running left to right across the view (Correct answer)
Not visible from this heading
Running at a 45-degree angle

Correct answer: Running left to right across the view

Heading west and flying over a north-south river means the river crosses perpendicular to the flight path, appearing left-to-right.

Question 95: The annunciator panel in a military aircraft cockpit is primarily used to:

Display GPS coordinates
Show the aircraft's fuel burn rate graphically
Control navigation radio frequencies
Alert the crew to abnormal system conditions with warning lights (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Alert the crew to abnormal system conditions with warning lights

The annunciator panel is a series of warning, caution, and advisory lights that alert pilots to abnormal or critical conditions in various aircraft systems.

Question 96: In a third-class lever, which of the following is located between the other two components?

The effort (force) (Correct answer)
The load (resistance)
The fulcrum
The mechanical advantage

Correct answer: The effort (force)

The defining characteristic of a third-class lever is that the effort (applied force) is located between the fulcrum (pivot point) and the load (resistance). This arrangement results in a mechanical advantage of less than one but provides gains in speed and range of motion. Examples include tweezers, fishing rods, and the human forearm.

Question 97: In a stadium, there are typically 5:7 home and away supporters present. What number of spectators could there possibly be in the stadium?

12,324 (Correct answer)
44,566
66,812
42,326

Correct answer: 12,324

The ratio of home to away supporters is 5:7, meaning for every 5 home supporters, there are 7 away supporters. The total number of parts in this ratio is 5 + 7 = 12. Therefore, the total number of spectators in the stadium must be a multiple of 12. Among the given options, only 12,324 is perfectly divisible by 12 (12,324 ÷ 12 = 1027), making it the only possible number of spectators.

Question 98: In the Hidden Figures subtest, the embedded simple figure may appear at any orientation. This means a candidate must recognize the shape regardless of its:

Size
Number of sides
Rotation (Correct answer)
Line thickness

Correct answer: Rotation

The target shape may be rotated to any angle within the complex drawing, so candidates must recognize it by its proportions and angles rather than a memorized upright orientation.

Question 99: What is the primary hazard of 'wire strike' during low-level Army helicopter operations?

Magnetic deviation affecting navigation instruments
Electrical arcing that ignites rotor blades
Utility wires are difficult to see and can entangle or sever rotor blades and fuselage components (Correct answer)
Radio interference caused by proximity to high-voltage lines

Correct answer: Utility wires are difficult to see and can entangle or sever rotor blades and fuselage components

Wires are nearly invisible at low altitudes and high speeds; contact can instantly sever control cables, rotor blades, or compromise the airframe with catastrophic results.

Question 100: How does increasing altitude affect a helicopter's hover ceiling?

Higher altitude improves hovering efficiency due to thinner air
Higher altitude reduces the hover ceiling because thinner air requires more power to generate the same lift (Correct answer)
Hover ceiling is unaffected by altitude until above 20,000 feet
Higher altitude increases hover ceiling because engines produce more power in thin air

Correct answer: Higher altitude reduces the hover ceiling because thinner air requires more power to generate the same lift

As altitude increases, air density decreases. The rotor generates less lift per revolution, requiring higher rotor speed or blade pitch — eventually reaching a ceiling where the helicopter cannot hover.

Question 101: If Gear A rotates clockwise, what will be the direction of rotation for Gear C?

The direction cannot be determined.
Gear C will not rotate.
Counter-clockwise
Clockwise (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Clockwise

When two gears mesh directly, they rotate in opposite directions. Gear A rotates clockwise, so Gear B (the idler gear) will rotate counter-clockwise. Since Gear B rotates counter-clockwise, it will cause Gear C to rotate in the opposite direction, which is clockwise.

Question 102: From the cockpit, you see the horizon line is perfectly level and slightly below the center of your view. A coastline is visible directly ahead and is getting larger. Which option describes the aircraft's flight path?

Diving towards the sea.
Level flight, flying parallel to the coast.
Climbing, flying towards the coast. (Correct answer)
Banking left, parallel to the coast.

Correct answer: Climbing, flying towards the coast.

A level horizon indicates the wings are not banked. A horizon below the center of the view means the aircraft's nose is pitched up, indicating a climb. Seeing the coastline directly ahead and getting larger means the aircraft is flying towards it.

Question 103: What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency in a wave?

Wavelength and frequency are independent — they don't affect each other
Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional at constant wave speed (Correct answer)
Wavelength and frequency are directly proportional — both increase together
Longer wavelengths always indicate higher frequencies

Correct answer: Wavelength and frequency are inversely proportional at constant wave speed

For a wave at constant speed: v = fλ. If speed is constant and frequency increases, wavelength must decrease proportionally, and vice versa.

Question 104: What is 'dissymmetry of lift' in forward helicopter flight?

Unequal lift between the rotor disc center and outer tip areas
Unequal lift between the advancing and retreating sides of the rotor disc due to different airspeeds (Correct answer)
Difference in lift between the upper and lower surfaces of rotor blades
Unequal lift between the main rotor and tail rotor

Correct answer: Unequal lift between the advancing and retreating sides of the rotor disc due to different airspeeds

Dissymmetry of lift occurs because the advancing blade has higher airspeed (and thus more lift) than the retreating blade, creating unequal lift across the rotor disc in forward flight.

Question 105: Passage: 'Night vision goggles (NVGs) amplify ambient light to improve visibility in low-light conditions. However, NVGs reduce the pilot's field of view and depth perception compared to unaided vision. Pilots must compensate for these limitations through proper training and crew coordination.' What limitation do NVGs impose on pilots according to this passage?

They require pilots to fly at reduced airspeed
They interfere with radio communication equipment
They reduce field of view and depth perception (Correct answer)
They prevent pilots from reading cockpit instruments

Correct answer: They reduce field of view and depth perception

The passage states that NVGs reduce the pilot's field of view and depth perception compared to unaided vision.

Question 106: During a pre-flight inspection of a UH-60 Black Hawk, a crew chief notices that the main rotor blades can flap and lead/lag. This design feature is essential to compensate for which aerodynamic principle in forward flight?

Ground Effect
Translational Thrust
Dissymmetry of Lift (Correct answer)
Effective Translational Lift

Correct answer: Dissymmetry of Lift

Blade flapping is a primary method of compensating for dissymmetry of lift. The advancing blade, which produces more lift, flaps upward, decreasing its angle of attack. The retreating blade flaps downward, increasing its angle of attack. This action equalizes lift across the rotor disc.

Question 107: Which transformation changes the size of a figure?

Translation
Reflection
Dilation (Correct answer)
Rotation

Correct answer: Dilation

Dilation scales a figure by a factor, enlarging or reducing it, while the other three are rigid motions that preserve size.

Question 108: What is 'autorotation' in helicopter flight?

The automatic rotation of the rotor during engine start
Flying the helicopter using only the tail rotor for propulsion
An unpowered descent where aerodynamic forces keep the rotor spinning to enable a safe landing (Correct answer)
Automatic stabilization of the rotor speed by the governor

Correct answer: An unpowered descent where aerodynamic forces keep the rotor spinning to enable a safe landing

Autorotation is the emergency procedure where, following engine failure, the rotor is disengaged from the engine and kept spinning by aerodynamic forces during descent, allowing a safe landing.

Question 109: What is the primary purpose of a pilot checking winds aloft forecasts (FB) before an Army aviation mission?

To verify the aircraft's altimeter setting before departure
To identify restricted military operating areas along the route
To plan fuel loads, true airspeeds, and estimated times en route by accounting for headwinds and tailwinds at cruise altitude (Correct answer)
To determine the correct IFF squawk code for the flight

Correct answer: To plan fuel loads, true airspeeds, and estimated times en route by accounting for headwinds and tailwinds at cruise altitude

Winds aloft forecasts provide predicted wind direction and speed at various altitudes, enabling accurate fuel planning and flight time calculations for en route navigation.

Question 110: What does the Army's 'risk assessment' process require before a flight mission?

Briefing the crew on weather only if conditions are below minimums
Filing a risk waiver with brigade headquarters for every flight
Identifying hazards, assessing probability and severity, implementing controls, and accepting residual risk at the appropriate command level (Correct answer)
Completing a DA Form 2404 equipment inspection record

Correct answer: Identifying hazards, assessing probability and severity, implementing controls, and accepting residual risk at the appropriate command level

Army risk management requires systematically identifying hazards, evaluating likelihood and consequence, applying controls, and having residual risk accepted by the commander at the appropriate level.

Question 111: A passage reads: 'Crew resource management (CRM) emphasizes that all crew members, regardless of rank, have a responsibility to speak up when they identify a safety concern. A culture where junior crew members feel unable to challenge a senior pilot's decision has historically contributed to preventable accidents.' What does CRM require of junior crew members according to this passage?

They must obtain permission from senior pilots before changing any procedures
They have a responsibility to speak up when they identify safety concerns (Correct answer)
They should document concerns in writing after the flight
They must defer to senior pilots on all safety decisions

Correct answer: They have a responsibility to speak up when they identify safety concerns

The passage states that CRM emphasizes all crew members, regardless of rank, have a responsibility to speak up when they identify a safety concern.

Question 112: What is the primary function of the swashplate assembly in a helicopter?

To transmit cyclic and collective pitch inputs to the rotating rotor blades (Correct answer)
To balance the weight distribution of the rotor system
To control engine throttle via the collective linkage
To absorb vibration from the main rotor

Correct answer: To transmit cyclic and collective pitch inputs to the rotating rotor blades

The swashplate assembly translates non-rotating control inputs from the cyclic and collective into rotating pitch changes in the main rotor blades.

Question 113: The vertical speed indicator (VSI) shows a pilot:

Distance to the nearest terrain
Airspeed in the vertical axis only
Rate of climb or descent in feet per minute (Correct answer)
Current altitude above mean sea level

Correct answer: Rate of climb or descent in feet per minute

The VSI measures the rate of change in static pressure and displays the aircraft's rate of climb or descent, typically in hundreds of feet per minute.

Question 114: On a dot-grid, a figure has a line of symmetry running diagonally from top-left to bottom-right. If a point is at position (2, 5) relative to the axis, its mirror image is at:

(−2, 5)
(−5, −2)
(5, 2) (Correct answer)
(2, −5)

Correct answer: (5, 2)

Reflecting across the main diagonal (y = x line) swaps x and y coordinates: (2, 5) → (5, 2).

Question 115: A passage reads: 'Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters can hover, fly sideways, and even fly backwards. However, these capabilities come at the cost of reduced forward airspeed compared to fixed-wing aircraft of similar engine power.' What trade-off do helicopters make for their unique flight capabilities?

They require more pilots to operate safely
They cannot fly in adverse weather conditions
They consume more fuel during all phases of flight
They have reduced forward airspeed compared to similar fixed-wing aircraft (Correct answer)

Correct answer: They have reduced forward airspeed compared to similar fixed-wing aircraft

The passage states that helicopters' unique capabilities come at the cost of reduced forward airspeed compared to fixed-wing aircraft of similar engine power.

Question 116: What does VFR stand for in aviation?

Vertical Flight Regulation
Very Fast Route
Variable Frequency Radio
Visual Flight Rules — flying by visual reference to the ground and landmarks (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Visual Flight Rules — flying by visual reference to the ground and landmarks

Visual Flight Rules allow pilots to fly by looking outside the aircraft and maintaining visual contact with the ground, terrain, and other aircraft, under specified weather conditions.

Question 117: What is the purpose of the collective control in a helicopter?

Controls the overall pitch of all main rotor blades simultaneously to change altitude (Correct answer)
Controls the tail rotor
Controls direction of flight
Controls communication systems

Correct answer: Controls the overall pitch of all main rotor blades simultaneously to change altitude

The collective changes the pitch angle of all main rotor blades equally, increasing or decreasing total lift to control the helicopter's altitude.

Question 118: In a matrix of 3×3 shapes where each row contains a circle, triangle, and square (in some order), and the first row is circle-triangle-square, second row is triangle-square-circle, what completes the third row starting with square?

Circle-square-triangle
Triangle-circle-square
Square-triangle-circle (Correct answer)
Square-circle-triangle

Correct answer: Square-triangle-circle

Each row is a rotation of the set. Row 1: C-T-S; Row 2: T-S-C (shifted left once); Row 3: S-C-T (shifted left again), so it's square-circle-triangle.

Question 119: A figure shows a star with one point aimed directly upward. After two successive 90° clockwise rotations, where does that point aim?

Left
Right
Down (Correct answer)
Up

Correct answer: Down

Two 90° clockwise rotations total 180°, sending the top point directly downward.

Question 120: What condition is known as 'retreating blade stall'?

Stall caused by pulling the cyclic too far aft
Stall of the retreating blade when its angle of attack exceeds critical limits at high forward speeds (Correct answer)
Loss of rotor RPM below the minimum safe threshold
Engine failure causing all blades to lose lift

Correct answer: Stall of the retreating blade when its angle of attack exceeds critical limits at high forward speeds

Retreating blade stall occurs at high forward speeds when the retreating blade's slowed relative airspeed requires excessive pitch to maintain lift, exceeding its critical angle of attack.

Question 121: Read: 'Spatial disorientation accounts for approximately 15% of all fatal general aviation accidents. Unlike visual illusions, many spatial disorientation incidents occur in actual IMC when pilots have no outside visual reference.' What is the main conclusion?

Instrument training eliminates all risk of spatial disorientation
Most pilots do not know how to fly in IMC
General aviation is more dangerous than commercial aviation
Spatial disorientation is a significant and disproportionately fatal hazard, especially in IMC (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Spatial disorientation is a significant and disproportionately fatal hazard, especially in IMC

The passage emphasizes that spatial disorientation accounts for 15% of fatal accidents, highlighting it as a serious risk, particularly when outside visual references are unavailable.

Question 122: A passage states: 'An author's purpose may be to inform, to persuade, or to entertain. Informative passages present facts objectively, persuasive passages advocate for a particular viewpoint, and entertaining passages prioritize engaging the reader. A single passage may blend more than one purpose.' What does the final sentence of this passage add?

It identifies which author purpose is most common in military training materials
It contradicts the definitions provided in the earlier sentences
It clarifies that these purposes are not always mutually exclusive in a single passage (Correct answer)
It acknowledges that passages are often written for a single pure purpose

Correct answer: It clarifies that these purposes are not always mutually exclusive in a single passage

The final sentence clarifies that a single passage may blend more than one purpose, meaning these categories are not always mutually exclusive.

Question 123: What is 'torque effect' in a single-rotor helicopter and how is it countered during a hover?

The fuselage tends to rotate opposite to the main rotor; countered by tail rotor thrust via pedal inputs (Correct answer)
Rotor tilting from gyroscopic forces; countered by cyclic input
Engine vibration transmitted through the airframe; countered by engine mounts
Increased drag in forward flight; countered by additional collective pitch

Correct answer: The fuselage tends to rotate opposite to the main rotor; countered by tail rotor thrust via pedal inputs

Torque reaction causes the fuselage to rotate opposite the main rotor's direction; the pilot uses anti-torque pedals to adjust tail rotor thrust and maintain heading.

Question 124: Which material has the highest thermal conductivity (transmits heat best)?

Copper (Correct answer)
Glass
Rubber
Wood

Correct answer: Copper

Copper is an excellent thermal conductor, which is why it is used in heat sinks, cooking pans, and electrical wiring. Wood, glass, and rubber are much poorer conductors (good insulators).

Question 125: What type of simple machine is a bottle opener?

Wheel and axle
Pulley
Lever (Correct answer)
Inclined plane

Correct answer: Lever

A bottle opener is a first-class lever: the fulcrum is between the effort and resistance. The cap edge is the fulcrum, the handle is the effort arm, and the bottle cap is the resistance.

Question 126: In the SIFT Spatial Apperception section, you see an outside view of an aircraft with its right wing dipped toward the ground and nose pointing down. Which cockpit view matches?

Horizon level, horizon above center
Horizon tilted left-high, horizon above center
Horizon tilted right-high, horizon below center (Correct answer)
Horizon tilted left-high, horizon below center

Correct answer: Horizon tilted right-high, horizon below center

A right-wing-down bank causes the horizon to tilt with the right side higher from the cockpit, and a nose-down pitch places the horizon above center.

Question 127: What is 'ground resonance' in helicopter operations?

Vibration caused by landing on soft ground
A destructive oscillation caused by out-of-phase rotor blade lead-lag (Correct answer)
Turbulence caused by rotor downwash reflecting off the ground
Noise amplification when hovering near buildings

Correct answer: A destructive oscillation caused by out-of-phase rotor blade lead-lag

Ground resonance is a potentially destructive mechanical oscillation that occurs when rotor blade lead-lag motion synchronizes with the natural frequency of the helicopter on the ground.

Question 128: On a fixed-wing aircraft, what is the function of the 'elevator'?

Provides additional lift during low-speed flight
Controls pitch by deflecting the horizontal tail surface (Correct answer)
Controls roll by differential deflection
Controls yaw through the vertical tail

Correct answer: Controls pitch by deflecting the horizontal tail surface

The elevator is the movable portion of the horizontal stabilizer that deflects up or down to pitch the nose of the aircraft up or down.

Question 129: Which branch of the US military uses the SIFT — including its Hidden Figures subtest — as a mandatory pilot selection exam?

US Navy
US Army (Correct answer)
US Air Force
US Marine Corps

Correct answer: US Army

The Selection Instrument for Flight Training (SIFT) is used exclusively by the US Army to screen candidates for its flight training programs.

Question 130: What is the function of 'ground spoilers' (also called lift dumpers) that deploy automatically on touchdown?

Extend the trailing edge flaps for go-around performance
Increase engine reverse thrust during rollout
Protect the gear from hard landings by absorbing vertical loads
Reduce bounce by limiting residual lift so wheel brakes are more effective (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Reduce bounce by limiting residual lift so wheel brakes are more effective

Ground spoilers destroy remaining wing lift upon touchdown, transferring the aircraft's full weight to the wheels immediately so that brakes and tires can decelerate the aircraft most effectively.

Question 131: A passage states: 'The Army requires aviators to maintain instrument currency by logging at least six instrument approaches within six months.' What does 'instrument currency' mean in this context?

Paying the fees associated with instrument flight training
Maintaining recent practice and proficiency in instrument flight to legally exercise instrument privileges (Correct answer)
Having the most recent version of instrument approach charts
Having a current, valid instrument rating certificate

Correct answer: Maintaining recent practice and proficiency in instrument flight to legally exercise instrument privileges

'Currency' in aviation means being currently qualified through recent practice, not just holding a certificate. Instrument currency specifically requires recent logged approaches and other tasks.

Question 132: In a SIFT spatial-reasoning item, the target is a simple asymmetric figure. The four choices are the target at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°—plus a mirror image mixed in. How many answer choices are valid rotations of the target?

2
1
3
4 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 4

An asymmetric figure has 4 distinct rotational positions (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°), all of which are valid rotations but only one will match the presented orientation.

Question 133: What is translational lift in helicopter flight?

Lift generated by forward flight that improves rotor efficiency (Correct answer)
Lift created by tilting the rotor disc forward
The vertical component of total rotor thrust
Lift gained by increasing collective pitch

Correct answer: Lift generated by forward flight that improves rotor efficiency

Translational lift occurs when forward airspeed moves the rotor out of its own downwash, allowing each blade to encounter undisturbed air and generate more lift.

Question 134: Which of the following is the most critical visual reference for determining an aircraft's pitch and bank on the Spatial Apperception Test?

The color of the water.
The shape of the clouds.
The position of the sun.
The position and angle of the horizon line. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The position and angle of the horizon line.

The horizon line is the primary reference for determining both pitch (whether the nose is up, level, or down) and bank (whether the wings are level, left-wing-down, or right-wing-down). Its position relative to the center of the view indicates pitch, and its angle of tilt indicates the bank.

Question 135: A cockpit view shows the nose well below the horizon with the wings level. Simultaneously, the airspeed is increasing. What maneuver is being performed?

Wings-level climb
Right-bank descent
Wings-level descent (Correct answer)
Left-bank climb

Correct answer: Wings-level descent

A nose-below-horizon attitude with level wings and increasing airspeed indicates a straight-ahead descent.

Question 136: What is the primary purpose of a 'mixing unit' (or mixing lever) in a helicopter flight control system?

Coordinates rudder and aileron inputs automatically
Mixes fuel and air in the carburetor
Prevents a cyclic input from also changing overall (collective) blade pitch (Correct answer)
Prevents collective pitch inputs from affecting the aircraft's trim when cyclic is applied

Correct answer: Prevents a cyclic input from also changing overall (collective) blade pitch

The mixing unit mechanically separates cyclic and collective inputs so that moving the cyclic doesn't inadvertently change the average (collective) pitch of all blades.

Question 137: A rapidly falling barometric pressure reading most reliably indicates:

Fog dissipation at dawn
High-pressure ridges building overhead
Clear, stable weather is settling in
An approaching storm system with deteriorating conditions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: An approaching storm system with deteriorating conditions

A rapid drop in barometric pressure signals the approach of a low-pressure system, which typically brings clouds, precipitation, and worsening weather.

Question 138: What type of stress does a bolt in a bolted joint primarily experience when the joint resists forces that try to slide the two halves sideways?

Bending stress
Compressive stress
Tensile stress
Shear stress (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Shear stress

When two joined surfaces try to slide sideways past each other, the bolt resists this by being sheared (cut) along its cross-section — this is shear stress.

Question 139: What is 'retreating blade stall' and when does it occur?

Stall caused by the pilot lowering the collective too rapidly
Stall of all rotor blades during hovering in high density altitude
Stall of the tail rotor blades during sharp turns
Stall of the retreating blade at high forward airspeeds when it cannot generate sufficient lift (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Stall of the retreating blade at high forward airspeeds when it cannot generate sufficient lift

At high forward airspeeds, the retreating blade's lower airspeed relative to the air may require such a high angle of attack to match lift that it stalls, causing loss of control.

Question 140: The SIFT Spatial Apperception section shows an outside image of an aircraft with its nose pointing down and banked to the right. Which attitude indicator reading matches?

Horizon below center, tilted right-side lower
Horizon above center, tilted left-side lower
Horizon above center, tilted right-side lower (Correct answer)
Horizon below center, tilted left-side lower

Correct answer: Horizon above center, tilted right-side lower

A nose-down pitch raises the horizon above center, and a right bank tilts the horizon with the right side lower.

Question 141: A wheel and axle has a wheel radius of 30 cm and an axle radius of 5 cm. What is its mechanical advantage?

150
0.17
25
6 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 6

MA of a wheel and axle = wheel radius / axle radius = 30 / 5 = 6.

Question 142: In a tandem-rotor helicopter (e.g., CH-47 Chinook), how is torque typically counteracted?

By differential collective pitch on a single rotor
By vectored exhaust nozzles
By the two rotors spinning in opposite directions, canceling each other's torque (Correct answer)
By a conventional tail rotor

Correct answer: By the two rotors spinning in opposite directions, canceling each other's torque

Tandem-rotor helicopters use two counter-rotating rotors whose torques cancel each other out, eliminating the need for a tail rotor.

Question 143: What does the 'E6B flight computer' help pilots calculate?

Only fuel burn rates
Radio frequencies and NAVAID identifiers
IFR approach procedures and descent rates only
Wind correction angle, groundspeed, fuel consumption, true airspeed, and density altitude (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Wind correction angle, groundspeed, fuel consumption, true airspeed, and density altitude

The E6B flight computer (circular slide rule) allows pilots to calculate wind correction angles, groundspeed, true airspeed, time/distance/fuel, and density altitude.

Question 144: What is the purpose of a 'PIREP' (Pilot Report)?

A post-flight incident report filed with the NTSB
An in-flight weather observation shared by pilots with ATC or Flight Service (Correct answer)
A clearance request for entering Class B airspace
A pre-flight inspection checklist required by FAA

Correct answer: An in-flight weather observation shared by pilots with ATC or Flight Service

A PIREP is a real-time weather observation reported by a pilot in flight and disseminated by ATC or Flight Service to help other pilots avoid hazards.

Question 145: What is the purpose of the magnetic compass in the cockpit?

To sense changes in atmospheric pressure for altitude
To indicate the aircraft's rate of turn
To measure the aircraft's bank angle
To provide a direct reading of magnetic heading without electrical power (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To provide a direct reading of magnetic heading without electrical power

The magnetic compass is a self-contained, non-electrical instrument that directly detects the Earth's magnetic field to give the pilot a magnetic heading reference.

Question 146: An observer on the ground sees a helicopter flying overhead from south to north. The helicopter is banked, with the east side lower. What turn is the helicopter making?

Turning south (180° turn)
Straight flight heading north
Turning east (right bank from pilot's perspective) (Correct answer)
Turning west (left bank from pilot's perspective)

Correct answer: Turning east (right bank from pilot's perspective)

Heading north, the pilot's right side is east. East side lower = right wing lower = right bank = right turn (turning east).

Question 147: Spoilers on a fixed-wing aircraft are primarily used to:

Increase lift during takeoff
Control pitch attitude at low speed
Provide directional control on the ground
Disrupt airflow over the wing to reduce lift and increase drag (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Disrupt airflow over the wing to reduce lift and increase drag

Spoilers extend upward from the upper wing surface to disrupt airflow, destroying lift and adding drag, used both as speed brakes in flight and ground spoilers on landing.

Question 148: A pilot is flying a helicopter and notices the fuselage is beginning to yaw to the right. To correct this and maintain a stable heading, the pilot should apply:

Aft cyclic
Left anti-torque pedal (Correct answer)
Forward cyclic
Right anti-torque pedal

Correct answer: Left anti-torque pedal

In most American-made helicopters, the main rotor spins counter-clockwise, creating a torque that yaws the fuselage to the right. The pilot applies left anti-torque pedal to increase the thrust of the tail rotor, pushing the tail to the right and yawing the nose to the left to maintain a stable heading.

Question 149: Passage: 'Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) exist when visibility falls below visual flight rules (VFR) minimums. Pilots must transition to instrument flight rules (IFR) procedures and rely on cockpit instruments rather than outside visual references.' According to the passage, what must pilots rely on during IMC?

Outside visual references from the cockpit windows
Radio communication with ground controllers exclusively
Their previous experience in similar weather conditions
Cockpit instruments rather than outside visual references (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cockpit instruments rather than outside visual references

The passage states that during IMC, pilots must rely on cockpit instruments rather than outside visual references.

Question 150: How many users can a set of four one-foot rulers be divided among so that each has 16 of them?

24 (Correct answer)
6
4
12

Correct answer: 24

The question implies that '16 of them' refers to 16 units of a specific measurement. To arrive at 24 users, we must interpret 'them' as 1/8th-inch segments. Each one-foot ruler (12 inches) contains 12 * 8 = 96 such segments. Therefore, four rulers contain a total of 4 * 96 = 384 segments. If each user receives 16 of these 1/8th-inch segments, then 384 segments / 16 segments per user equals 24 users.

Question 151: What is the first action a helicopter pilot should take when experiencing a complete engine failure?

Attempt an engine restart before taking any other action
Apply maximum collective to slow descent
Lower collective pitch immediately to enter autorotation (Correct answer)
Immediately radio a MAYDAY and await instructions

Correct answer: Lower collective pitch immediately to enter autorotation

Upon complete engine failure, the pilot must immediately lower collective pitch to maintain rotor RPM and enter autorotation, which is the critical first step before any other action.

Question 152: What is the value of 2³ × 4²?

64
192
128 (Correct answer)
48

Correct answer: 128

2³ = 8; 4² = 16; 8 × 16 = 128.

Question 153: What is the mechanical advantage of a wedge that is 12 cm long and 3 cm wide at its widest point?

0.25
3
4 (Correct answer)
36

Correct answer: 4

MA of a wedge = length / width (at the thick end) = 12/3 = 4. A longer, thinner wedge has a higher mechanical advantage.

Question 154: From a cockpit view, mountains are visible on the left side and flat terrain on the right. The aircraft is in level flight heading north. Where are the mountains relative to the aircraft's track?

To the east of the flight path
To the west of the flight path (Correct answer)
Directly ahead
Directly behind

Correct answer: To the west of the flight path

Heading north with mountains on the left means the mountains are to the west (left when facing north).

Question 155: Danny, a young man from the Northern Hemisphere, is positioned on a scale. Danny is 20 kg heavy. In Newtons, the scale readout is shown. What is Danny's readout?

190
198
194
196 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 196

Weight is a force, measured in Newtons, and is calculated by multiplying an object's mass by the acceleration due to gravity (g). The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is approximately 9.8 meters per second squared (m/s²). Therefore, Danny's weight is 20 kg * 9.8 m/s² = 196 Newtons. The scale readout would display this force.

Question 156: A passage reads: 'Context clues are words and phrases surrounding an unfamiliar word that help readers determine its meaning. These clues may include synonyms, antonyms, examples, or explanations embedded in the surrounding text.' Which of the following would NOT be a context clue according to this passage?

An example that illustrates the word's meaning
An antonym that contrasts with the unfamiliar word
A synonym placed near the unfamiliar word
The font size of the unfamiliar word (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The font size of the unfamiliar word

The passage lists synonyms, antonyms, examples, and explanations as context clues; font size is not mentioned and is unrelated to meaning.

Question 157: What is the primary recovery technique from vortex ring state?

Apply full collective and pull aft cyclic
Increase engine RPM and maintain altitude with collective
Reduce tail rotor thrust and yaw into the descent
Lower collective to reduce power and apply forward cyclic to gain airspeed (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Lower collective to reduce power and apply forward cyclic to gain airspeed

Recovery requires lowering collective to reduce power and applying forward cyclic to gain airspeed, moving the helicopter out of the recirculating vortex.

Question 158: What is gyroscopic precession and how does it affect helicopter flight?

The gradual movement of the rotor hub due to bearing wear
A force that causes a spinning rotor to respond to an applied force 90° later in the direction of rotation (Correct answer)
The tendency of a spinning gyroscope to maintain its orientation in space, causing delayed control response
The precession of Earth's magnetic field affecting compass accuracy

Correct answer: A force that causes a spinning rotor to respond to an applied force 90° later in the direction of rotation

Gyroscopic precession causes a spinning rotor to respond to an applied tilting force approximately 90° ahead in the direction of rotation, affecting how control inputs translate to rotor disc movement.

Question 159: A helicopter pilot accelerating from a hover experiences a noticeable vibration and a tendency for the aircraft to roll to the right (in a counter-clockwise rotor system) between 10-20 knots. This phenomenon, which precedes Effective Translational Lift, is known as:

Transverse Flow Effect (Correct answer)
Retreating Blade Stall
Ground Effect
Translating Tendency

Correct answer: Transverse Flow Effect

Transverse flow effect occurs as the helicopter begins to move forward, causing a difference in airflow velocity across the rotor disc. The air flows more horizontally over the front portion and more vertically through the rear portion, creating a lift differential that, due to gyroscopic precession, results in a right roll.

Question 160: A pilot flying at 14,000 feet without supplemental oxygen begins to experience a sense of euphoria, impaired judgment, and drowsiness. What aeromedical condition is the pilot most likely experiencing?

Hypemic Hypoxia
Histotoxic Hypoxia
Hypoxic Hypoxia (Correct answer)
Stagnant Hypoxia

Correct answer: Hypoxic Hypoxia

Hypoxic hypoxia, also known as altitude hypoxia, results from insufficient oxygen available to the body due to the lower partial pressure of oxygen at high altitudes. Significant effects, including impaired judgment, drowsiness, and euphoria, typically begin between 12,000 and 15,000 feet.

Question 161: You are presented with a complex geometric pattern containing many overlapping lines and shapes. Which of the following is the most effective initial strategy for locating a simple target shape (e.g., a small triangle) embedded within the pattern?

Focus on finding vertices or specific angles of the target shape first. (Correct answer)
Look for the overall color of the target shape within the pattern.
Trace every line in the complex pattern from end to end.
Blur your vision slightly to see if the target shape 'pops out'.

Correct answer: Focus on finding vertices or specific angles of the target shape first.

The Hidden Figures subtest measures your ability to find simple geometric shapes within complex drawings. The most efficient method is to scan the complex figure for key features of the simple shape, such as its corners (vertices) or the angles of its lines, rather than trying to see the whole shape at once or tracing every line.

Question 162: What happens to required tail rotor thrust as altitude increases?

It increases because the tail rotor must work harder in thinner air to produce the same anti-torque force (Correct answer)
It remains constant regardless of altitude
It decreases because torque decreases at altitude
It increases only when hovering out of ground effect

Correct answer: It increases because the tail rotor must work harder in thinner air to produce the same anti-torque force

At higher altitudes, thinner air reduces tail rotor thrust efficiency, requiring higher pitch angles or limiting the anti-torque authority available to the pilot.

Question 163: Which of the following best describes the 'mirror image' transformation applied to the letter 'b'?

p (Correct answer)
q
d
b rotated 90°

Correct answer: p

The mirror image of 'b' (reflected horizontally, as if flipping left-right) is 'd'. Reflecting vertically (top-bottom) would give 'p'. Reflecting both axes gives 'q'.

Question 164: Which gyroscopic instrument relies on rigidity in space (not precession) to function correctly?

Both heading indicator and attitude indicator (Correct answer)
Attitude indicator
Heading indicator (directional gyro)
Turn coordinator

Correct answer: Both heading indicator and attitude indicator

Both the heading indicator and attitude indicator rely on gyroscopic rigidity in space — the gyro maintains its orientation while the aircraft moves around it — whereas the turn coordinator uses precession.

Question 165: In a semi-rigid rotor system, what is the purpose of the 'flapping hinge'?

Attaches the blade to the swashplate
Locks the blade during autorotation
Allows the blade to change its pitch angle
Allows the blade to flap up and down to equalize lift across the rotor disk (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Allows the blade to flap up and down to equalize lift across the rotor disk

The flapping hinge allows each rotor blade to move up (flap) on the advancing side and down on the retreating side, balancing the dissymmetry of lift.

Question 166: What is the standard altimeter setting in the United States when flying above 18,000 feet MSL?

29.92 inches Hg (Correct answer)
The departure airport altimeter setting
The destination airport altimeter setting
The current local barometric pressure

Correct answer: 29.92 inches Hg

Above 18,000 feet MSL (in Class A airspace), all aircraft set their altimeters to 29.92 inches Hg standard pressure, and altitudes are referred to as 'flight levels.'

Question 167: Which feature of a complex drawing makes finding the embedded shape most difficult?

The use of curved lines
Overlapping lines that share segments with the embedded figure's edges (Correct answer)
Shaded regions in the background
Large empty white spaces

Correct answer: Overlapping lines that share segments with the embedded figure's edges

When the complex drawing's lines overlap and share edges with the target shape, it becomes hard to distinguish the shape's boundaries from unrelated lines.

Question 168: What is the standard temperature lapse rate in the troposphere used for pressure altitude calculations?

5°C per 1,000 feet
2°C per 1,000 feet (Correct answer)
1°C per 1,000 feet
3°C per 1,000 feet

Correct answer: 2°C per 1,000 feet

The International Standard Atmosphere (ISA) defines a lapse rate of approximately 2°C (3.5°F) per 1,000 feet of altitude gain in the troposphere.

Question 169: What is 'ground resonance' in helicopters?

A destructive self-reinforcing oscillation from unequal blade spacing amplified through landing gear during ground contact (Correct answer)
Vibration from rotor downwash reflecting off the ground surface
Resonance between engine frequency and airframe during ground run-up
Tail rotor resonance from crosswinds while on the ground

Correct answer: A destructive self-reinforcing oscillation from unequal blade spacing amplified through landing gear during ground contact

Ground resonance is a potentially destructive oscillation where rotor blade lead-lag imbalance couples with landing gear movement to create amplifying vibrations that can destroy the helicopter.

Question 170: What is the function of the anti-torque pedals in a helicopter?

Activate the wheel brakes during landing
Control engine power output
Control the pitch of the main rotor blades
Control the pitch of the tail rotor blades to counteract torque (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Control the pitch of the tail rotor blades to counteract torque

Anti-torque pedals control the pitch angle of the tail rotor blades, which adjusts the thrust that counteracts main rotor torque and controls yaw direction.

Question 171: A helicopter travels 240 miles in 2 hours. What is its average speed in miles per hour?

60 mph
120 mph (Correct answer)
80 mph
480 mph

Correct answer: 120 mph

Speed = Distance / Time = 240 / 2 = 120 mph.

Question 172: Read: 'CRM (Crew Resource Management) failures are implicated in the majority of multi-crew aircraft accidents. Despite high individual skill levels, crews sometimes fail to communicate critical information, challenge incorrect decisions, or divide cockpit tasks effectively.' What is the passage's implication?

CRM failures can occur even among skilled pilots, making communication and task management critical for safety (Correct answer)
Multi-crew aircraft are inherently more dangerous than single-pilot aircraft
CRM training is too complex for most pilots
Individual pilot skill is sufficient to prevent accidents

Correct answer: CRM failures can occur even among skilled pilots, making communication and task management critical for safety

The passage implies that skill alone is insufficient — CRM failures happen even with skilled individuals, making crew communication and coordination essential safety factors.

Question 173: What is 'settling with power' (vortex ring state) in helicopter flight?

An overpowered climb that causes the engine to overheat
A rapid deceleration maneuver used to avoid obstacles
A condition where the helicopter descends into its own downwash, causing a loss of lift that more power cannot overcome (Correct answer)
Engine power settling due to high density altitude reducing performance

Correct answer: A condition where the helicopter descends into its own downwash, causing a loss of lift that more power cannot overcome

Vortex ring state (settling with power) occurs when a helicopter descends into its own rotor downwash, disrupting lift; adding power worsens the condition until the aircraft exits the vortex.

Question 174: A block-and-tackle system uses 5 rope segments to support a load. What is its ideal mechanical advantage?

1
5 (Correct answer)
10
2.5

Correct answer: 5

In a block-and-tackle system, the ideal MA equals the number of rope segments supporting the load, which is 5.

Question 175: A helicopter requires significantly less power to hover at five feet above a runway compared to hovering at 100 feet. Which principle explains this increase in performance near the surface?

Gyroscopic Precession
Effective Translational Lift
Dissymmetry of lift
In-Ground Effect (IGE) (Correct answer)

Correct answer: In-Ground Effect (IGE)

When a helicopter is close to the ground (typically within one rotor diameter), the rotor's downwash is restricted by the surface. This creates a cushion of higher-pressure air, which reduces induced flow and rotor tip vortices, making the rotor system more efficient and requiring less power to produce the same amount of lift.

Question 176: What is the best immediate action if you are unsure about a Hidden Figures answer after 20 seconds?

Leave it blank and never return
Spend as long as needed because accuracy matters more than speed
Make your best guess, mark it, and move on to avoid losing time (Correct answer)
Re-examine the target figures from left to right, starting over completely

Correct answer: Make your best guess, mark it, and move on to avoid losing time

The SIFT is timed, so making a reasoned guess and moving forward preserves time for questions you can answer more confidently.

Question 177: In a standard cockpit, the throttle (or collective in helicopters) primarily controls:

Engine power and thrust (or lift in helicopters) (Correct answer)
Bank angle and roll
Tail rotor thrust direction
Pitch attitude of the nose

Correct answer: Engine power and thrust (or lift in helicopters)

The throttle (or collective in helicopters) controls engine power output and, in rotary-wing aircraft, the collective changes the pitch of all rotor blades simultaneously to control lift.

Question 178: What is 'vortex ring state' (settling with power)?

Vibration from rotor blades entering ground-effect vortices
Increased rotor efficiency from wingtip vortex recycling
A condition where rotor tip vortices reduce tail rotor effectiveness
A dangerous condition where the helicopter descends into its own rotor downwash, causing loss of lift (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A dangerous condition where the helicopter descends into its own rotor downwash, causing loss of lift

Vortex ring state occurs when the helicopter descends at low airspeed with power applied, causing rotor vortices to recirculate through the disc and destroy lift unpredictably.

Question 179: What does 'SERE' training prepare Army aviators for?

Search and Extraction of Rescue Elements
Standardized Emergency Response Exercises
Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape in hostile environments (Correct answer)
Spatial awareness and emergency rotor engagement

Correct answer: Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape in hostile environments

SERE training prepares military personnel for situations where they are isolated behind enemy lines, teaching survival, evading capture, resisting interrogation, and escaping if captured.

Question 180: A manual states: 'Engine torque, measured in foot-pounds, represents the rotational force the engine applies to the rotor shaft. Maximum torque limits must not be exceeded, as doing so risks gearbox damage, drive shaft failure, or rotor system overstress.' What is 'torque' defined as in this context?

The linear force an engine applies to move the aircraft forward
The vibration level of the engine at high power settings
The temperature generated by the engine under maximum load
The rotational force the engine applies to the rotor shaft, measured in foot-pounds (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The rotational force the engine applies to the rotor shaft, measured in foot-pounds

The passage defines torque explicitly as 'the rotational force the engine applies to the rotor shaft, measured in foot-pounds.'

SIFT (Selection Instrument for Flight Training) Exam

The SIFT (Selection Instrument for Flight Training) measures aptitude for Army flight training selection.

180

Questions

90 min

Time Limit

40%

To Pass

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