FAA Private Pilot Gyroplane (PRG) knowledge test — also preparing for Commercial Pilot Gyroplane (CRG), Recreational Pilot Gyroplane (RPG) and Private Pilot Gyroplane/Recreational Pilot Transition (PGT)
The written test for your gyroplane certificate — rotor aerodynamics in permanent autorotation, prerotation and jump takeoffs, power pushover and PIO, performance and loading, weather and airspace, with the commercial, recreational and transition tests covered too.
About the exam
A private pilot certificate with a rotorcraft category, gyroplane class rating lets you fly gyroplanes — also called autogyros or gyrocopters — for personal flying and carry passengers, but not for compensation or hire. The Private Pilot Gyroplane (PRG) knowledge test is the written test you pass before the private gyroplane checkride. The same bank prepares you for the Commercial Pilot Gyroplane (CRG) test, the Recreational Pilot Gyroplane (RPG) test and the Private Pilot Gyroplane/Recreational Pilot Transition (PGT) test for recreational gyroplane pilots upgrading to private. QuizMe does not cover the Sport Pilot Gyroplane (SPY) or gyroplane flight instructor (FRG, GFA) tests.
PRG has 60 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours 30 minutes; the FAA testing matrix lists CRG at 100 questions in 3 hours, RPG at 50 questions in 2 hours and PGT at 30 questions in 1 hour 30 minutes. 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; minimum testing age is 15 for PRG, RPG and PGT and 16 for CRG. Each needs an endorsement from an authorized instructor or a pilot school graduation certificate. A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months. If you already hold an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift, powered-parachute or airship rating at the same certificate level — a private helicopter pilot, for example — adding a gyroplane rating needs no knowledge test (61.63). The 2025 MOSAIC rule rewrote sport pilot and light-sport aircraft rules (effective October 22, 2025 and July 24, 2026) but did not change private or commercial pilot requirements or these knowledge tests; the sport pilot practical test standards were revised in September 2026 and test banks are still catching up, so confirm details with your instructor.
Our practice covers every area with original questions mapped to the Private and Commercial Pilot Gyroplane PTS, with step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation — density altitude, takeoff distance, CG and weight shift, wind triangle, time, distance and fuel. Add flashcards for regulations and gyroplane-specific rules, worked case walkthroughs of power pushover, pilot-induced oscillation and engine-failure decisions, illustrated guides to rotor-disc airflow and the thrust line, and timed practice tests at the PRG length — 60 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes — with a score.
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-8081-15B, Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Rotorcraft Category Gyroplane Rating (November 2023; effective May 31, 2024), with FAA-S-8081-16C Commercial Pilot Gyroplane PTS — no gyroplane ACS has been published — Gyroplane regulations, autorotation aerodynamics, gyroplane systems, performance and weight & balance, emergencies and hazards, gyroplane operations, weather, navigation and airspace, and human factors — one bank for PRG, CRG, RPG and PGT. Domain weights are QuizMe estimates — the FAA does not publish them. Tap a domain to see its topics.
1 Regulations and Pilot Qualifications about 13% (est.) of the exam
29 practice questions in this domain so far
2 Gyroplane Aerodynamics about 13% (est.) of the exam
29 practice questions in this domain so far
3 Gyroplane Systems and Instruments about 10% (est.) of the exam
22 practice questions in this domain so far
4 Performance, Limitations and Weight & Balance about 12% (est.) of the exam
26 practice questions in this domain so far
5 Emergencies and Hazards about 10% (est.) of the exam
22 practice questions in this domain so far
6 Gyroplane Operations about 10% (est.) of the exam
22 practice questions in this domain so far
7 Weather Information about 12% (est.) of the exam
52 practice questions in this domain so far
8 Navigation, Airspace and Flight Planning about 12% (est.) of the exam
62 practice questions in this domain so far
9 Human Factors and Aeronautical Decision-Making about 8% (est.) of the exam
18 practice questions in this domain so far
What you get when you access this exam
Free with your QuizMe account.
Questions built on the PTS
Every question is original and tagged to a Private or Commercial Pilot Gyroplane PTS area of operation — three choices like the real test, with performance and loading tables and sectional excerpts described in text, and weather reports.
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 — 60 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, the PRG length — with a pacing indicator, full review and a percent score against the 70% pass mark.
Flashcards, walkthroughs and guides
Flashcards for regulations, gyroplane hazards, rotor facts 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.
Test at home or at a center
PRG, CRG, RPG and PGT are scheduled and taken through PSI, the FAA's knowledge-testing provider. Get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) in IACRA and your instructor's endorsement, 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 (FAA-CT-8080-2H for private and recreational, FAA-CT-8080-1E for commercial) with the chart, weather and performance 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: PRG for a private gyroplane certificate, CRG for commercial, RPG for recreational, PGT if you're a recreational gyroplane pilot upgrading to private.
- The testing matrix accepts an endorsement from an authorized instructor or a graduation certificate from an FAA-certificated pilot school as the authorization for a first attempt.
- Already a pilot with an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift, powered-parachute or airship rating at that certificate level? Adding a gyroplane rating needs no knowledge test (61.63) — confirm with your instructor.
- 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 60 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes.
Pacing checkpoints
Our timed test uses the real length and time — 60 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, the PRG length — as one block of single-answer, three-choice questions; CRG is 100 questions in 3 hours and RPG and PGT are shorter. Figures that the real test shows from the FAA 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 the gyroplane hazards until you can name cause and prevention in seconds: power pushover, PIO, blade sailing, ground resonance and retreating blade stall.
- Know where gyroplanes differ from helicopters in the rules — 91.155 Class G relief and 91.119(d) are helicopter-only; the 20-minute reserve covers all rotorcraft.
- Confirm your PSI appointment, your endorsement (or graduation certificate), your FTN, your ID and the flight computer and calculator you'll bring.
During the test
- Pace yourself at about 2.5 minutes a question — chart and loading problems take longer, recall questions much less.
- Read for gyroplane-specific rules — weather minimums and minimum altitudes follow the airplane rules, not the helicopter exceptions.
- For performance and loading questions, write down the inputs and units before you read the chart.
- 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 42 of 60 — a few long chart problems won't sink you.
After you test
- You get your Airman Knowledge Test Report at the test center; it shows your score and codes for any knowledge areas you missed, and your instructor reviews them with you before the checkride.
- A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months — complete the gyroplane practical test within that window or retake the knowledge test.
- Next comes the gyroplane practical test under FAA-S-8081-15B (private) or FAA-S-8081-16C (commercial) — an oral on the same knowledge plus a flight test of takeoffs and landings, ground reference maneuvers, flight at slow airspeeds and emergency procedures; the examiner also checks your missed topics.
Official sources and further reading
- Private Pilot Gyroplane PTS (FAA-S-8081-15B) ↗The official areas of operation and tasks the private gyroplane test is built on.
- Rotorcraft Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-21) ↗The FAA still uses this 2000 handbook for gyroplane information — the gyroplane chapters cover aerodynamics, systems, flight and hazards.
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix ↗Official question count, time, minimum age and the authorization each test requires.
- FAA airman knowledge testing supplements ↗The figures books provided at the test center — FAA-CT-8080-2H for private tests, FAA-CT-8080-1E for commercial.
Ready to start?
282 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 (PTS, testing matrix, 14 CFR); rules and policies change — always confirm at faa.gov. Estimated scores are rough guides.