FAA Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter (FIH) and Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter Added Rating (HIF) knowledge tests
The instrument instructor knowledge tests for helicopters — FIH for your helicopter CFII and HIF for the added rating — built on the helicopter IFR knowledge you'll teach.
About the exam
A flight instructor instrument-helicopter rating (helicopter CFII) lets you give the flight and ground training for an instrument-helicopter rating and instrument proficiency checks in helicopters. Two FAA knowledge tests lead there, both drawing on the same helicopter IFR knowledge: FIH (Flight Instructor Instrument Helicopter) and HIF (the shorter added-rating version, for instructors who already hold a flight instructor certificate with an instrument rating — confirm on the testing matrix which applies to you). QuizMe does not yet cover the sport-pilot helicopter tests (SHF and IHF).
FIH has 50 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes; HIF has 20 questions in 1 hour. Every question has three answer choices, and you need 70% to pass. You test on computer at a PSI test center with a photo ID and an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) from IACRA; the testing matrix lists no instructor endorsement or other written authorization for a first attempt and a minimum testing age of 16. Approach plates, en route charts and weather products come from the FAA testing supplement handed to you at the center or embedded images. Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) applies only if this is your first instructor certificate and you aren't exempt (61.183(e)). A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months for the practical test.
Our practice covers every area with original questions mapped to the Instrument Helicopter ACS and the instrument instructor standards, with step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation — helicopter IFR fuel and alternate requirements, holding-pattern entries, descent rates for a glide path, climb gradients, VOR check tolerances and wind correction. Add flashcards for helicopter IFR regulations, endorsements and minimums, worked case walkthroughs of student scenarios and Copter approaches, illustrated guides to instruments and navigation displays, and timed practice tests at the FIH length — 50 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — with a score. If you're taking HIF, aim to finish the full test comfortably inside the time.
How we track your progress
Every blueprint domain moves through five levels as you study:
- Not startedNo questions answered in this domain yet.
- Getting startedFirst questions answered — not enough yet to judge.
- DevelopingAt least 5 answered and 50% or better on your recent questions.
- ProficientAt least 15 answered and 70% or better on your recent questions.
- Exam readyAt least 25 answered, 80% or better recently, and holding up on hard questions.
The exam blueprint
FAA-S-8081-9E Flight Instructor Instrument PTS, Airplane and Helicopter (effective May 31, 2024), with the Instrument Rating – Helicopter ACS (FAA-S-ACS-14) and 14 CFR 61.65 — Helicopter IFR regulations, weather, ATC clearances and holding, instrument approaches, helicopter instrument flying and Copter procedures, systems, plus instrument-instructor privileges, endorsements and teaching — one bank for FIH and HIF. Domain weights are QuizMe estimates — the FAA does not publish them. Tap a domain to see its topics.
1 Helicopter IFR Regulations about 16% (est.) of the exam
50 practice questions in this domain so far
2 Weather Information about 20% (est.) of the exam
73 practice questions in this domain so far
3 ATC Clearances and Procedures about 14% (est.) of the exam
43 practice questions in this domain so far
4 Instrument Approach Procedures about 16% (est.) of the exam
18 practice questions in this domain so far
5 Helicopter Instrument Flying and Copter Procedures about 18% (est.) of the exam
70 practice questions in this domain so far
6 Systems, Instruments and Navigation Equipment about 8% (est.) of the exam
29 practice questions in this domain so far
7 Instrument Instruction and Endorsements about 8% (est.) of the exam
35 practice questions in this domain so far
What you get when you access this exam
Free with your QuizMe account.
Questions built on the ACS
Every question is original and tagged to a helicopter instrument knowledge area or instructor task — three choices like the real test, with Copter approach plates and en route charts described in text, holding-pattern diagrams, IFR weather reports and student-error scenarios.
Hints and worked solutions
Reveal the rule, reference or formula behind the question when you're stuck. Every answer has the full rationale, and every calculation is solved step by step.
Adaptive practice
Questions steer toward your weakest areas, weighted like the real test, and get harder as you get stronger.
Timed practice tests
Full-length tests at the real pace — 50 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, the FIH length — with a pacing indicator, full review and a percent score against the 70% pass mark.
Flashcards, walkthroughs and guides
Flashcards for helicopter IFR regulations, instrument endorsements, minimums and weather codes, worked case walkthroughs that reason through harder questions step by step, and interactive illustrated guides you explore hotspot by hotspot.
Progress in every area
Each area moves from Not started to Exam ready, so you know exactly what to study next.
Radio & callouts drill
Copy IFR clearances by ear, read back holds, approach clearances and amended routings, and handle lost-comm and emergencies — the same spoken scenarios your instrument students will fly.
Test at home or at a center
FIH and HIF are scheduled and taken through PSI, the FAA's knowledge-testing provider. Create a profile in IACRA to get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN), confirm which of the two tests applies to you, then choose a PSI test center and time. Remote testing is not offered for FAA airman knowledge tests.
At a PSI test center
- Book through PSI's FAA scheduling site; the fee is paid to PSI, not the FAA — about $175 at PSI (confirm when you book).
- Bring a current government-issued photo ID that meets FAA identification rules, and your FAA Tracking Number (FTN).
- The center gives you the FAA testing supplement with the approach plates, en route charts and weather figures; some questions show images on screen.
- You may use an FAA-approved flight computer (E6B) and calculator under the test center's rules; PSI's testing system also includes an on-screen E6B.
Before you book
- Pick the right test: FIH for a helicopter CFII, HIF only if you already hold a flight instructor certificate with an instrument rating — confirm with your examiner.
- The testing matrix lists no instructor endorsement for a first attempt at FIH or HIF — check the current matrix before you book.
- FOI applies only to a first instructor certificate: current flight or ground instructors, state-certified teachers for grade 7 or higher and accredited college or university teachers don't take it (61.183(e)).
- If you retake after a failure, bring the failed test report and an endorsement from an authorized instructor who gave you the additional training.
Exam-day game plan
How to walk in ready — and how to pace 50 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes.
Pacing checkpoints
Our timed test uses the FIH length and time — 50 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — as one block of single-answer, three-choice questions; HIF is shorter (20 questions in 1 hour). Figures that the real test shows from the testing supplement or as embedded images are reproduced as described text, tables or simple diagrams — not the official FAA charts.
The week before
- Take one full-length timed practice test 4–7 days out, then shorter sets and rest.
- Drill holding entries and the helicopter IFR rules — 30 minutes of reserve fuel, the 1,000-foot (or 400 above minimums) and 2-mile alternate test, and 200 feet and 1 mile above the approach for alternate minimums.
- Review instrument instructor privileges and endorsements — who may give instrument training, IPCs and knowledge-test recommendations.
- Confirm your PSI appointment, your FTN, your ID and the flight computer and calculator you'll bring.
During the test
- At 3 minutes a question you have time — spend it on approach plates: read the minimums table, the Copter notes and any visibility reduction before answering.
- Sketch holding patterns and DME arcs on scratch paper before choosing an answer.
- Read for the instructor's angle — many questions ask what a student did wrong or what the instructor must endorse.
- Watch for EXCEPT and NOT — they flip what you're looking for.
- Mark hard questions, answer every one and come back if time allows — there's no penalty for guessing.
Keep your head
- A few nerves sharpen focus. If you freeze, take three slow breaths and reread the question.
- With three choices, ruling out one wrong answer leaves you a coin flip at worst.
- You need 35 of 50 — a few dense approach-plate questions won't sink you.
After you test
- You get your Airman Knowledge Test Report at the test center; it shows your score and the codes of any knowledge areas you missed, and you'll show it to your examiner.
- A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months — complete the helicopter CFII practical test within that window.
- Next comes the practical test under the Flight Instructor Instrument PTS (FAA-S-8081-9E), which covers both airplane and helicopter, where you teach instrument procedures and the examiner reviews your missed topics. Once certificated, flight instructors keep their privileges by meeting the recent-experience requirements every 24 calendar months.
Official sources and further reading
- Flight Instructor Instrument PTS (FAA-S-8081-9E) ↗The official standard for the CFII practical test, airplane and helicopter — what an instrument instructor must know and teach.
- Instrument Rating – Helicopter ACS (FAA-S-ACS-14) ↗The helicopter instrument knowledge elements both tests draw on.
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix ↗Official question count, time, minimum age and the authorization each test requires.
Ready to start?
318 questions and scenarios across the blueprint — and growing.
QuizMe is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA or PSI. All questions are original. Details are summarized from FAA sources (ACS, testing matrix, 14 CFR); rules and policies change — always confirm at faa.gov. Estimated scores are rough guides.