FAA Instrument Rating Helicopter (IRH) knowledge test — also preparing for Instrument Rating Helicopter Canadian Conversion (ICH)
The written test for your helicopter instrument rating — helicopter IFR fuel and alternate rules, Copter and point-in-space approaches, holding, clearances and IFR weather.
About the exam
An instrument rating with a helicopter rating lets you fly helicopters under IFR and in instrument meteorological conditions. The Instrument Rating Helicopter (IRH) knowledge test is the written test you pass before the instrument-helicopter checkride; the same bank also prepares you for the Instrument Rating Helicopter Canadian Conversion test (ICH) for pilots converting a Transport Canada instrument rating. If you already hold an instrument rating in another category, such as airplane, 61.65 says you don't take another knowledge test to add instrument-helicopter. QuizMe does not yet cover the sport-pilot helicopter tests (SHF and IHF).
IRH has 60 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours on the FAA testing matrix (the Instrument Helicopter ACS table lists 2.5 hours — the matrix, revised September 2026, is the current word; confirm when you book). ICH has 40 questions in 2 hours. 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. IRH needs an endorsement from an authorized instructor or a pilot school graduation certificate; ICH needs no endorsement. Approach plates, en route charts and weather products come from the FAA instrument testing supplement (FAA-CT-8080-3F) or embedded images. A passing result is valid for 24 calendar months.
Our practice covers every area with original questions mapped to the Instrument Helicopter ACS, with step-by-step worked solutions for every calculation — helicopter IFR fuel and alternate requirements, holding-pattern entries and timing, descent rates for a glide path, climb gradients, VOR check tolerances and wind correction. Add flashcards for helicopter IFR rules, minimums and weather codes, worked case walkthroughs of Copter and point-in-space approaches, illustrated guides to instruments and navigation displays, and timed practice tests at the IRH length — 60 questions in 2 hours — 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-ACS-14, Instrument Rating – Helicopter ACS (November 2023; effective May 31, 2024) — Helicopter IFR regulations, weather, ATC clearances and holding, instrument approaches, helicopter instrument flying and Copter procedures, and systems and navigation equipment — one bank for IRH and ICH. Domain weights are QuizMe estimates — the FAA does not publish them. Tap a domain to see its topics.
1 Helicopter IFR Regulations about 17% (est.) of the exam
50 practice questions in this domain so far
2 Weather Information about 22% (est.) of the exam
73 practice questions in this domain so far
3 ATC Clearances and Procedures about 15% (est.) of the exam
43 practice questions in this domain so far
4 Instrument Approach Procedures about 17% (est.) of the exam
18 practice questions in this domain so far
5 Helicopter Instrument Flying and Copter Procedures about 20% (est.) of the exam
70 practice questions in this domain so far
6 Systems, Instruments and Navigation Equipment about 10% (est.) of the exam
29 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 an Instrument Helicopter ACS area — three choices like the real test, with Copter approach plates and en route charts described in text, holding-pattern diagrams and IFR 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 — with a pacing indicator, full review and a percent score against the 70% pass mark.
Flashcards, walkthroughs and guides
Flashcards for helicopter IFR regulations, 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 — spoken scenarios with every call voiced.
Test at home or at a center
IRH and ICH are scheduled and taken through PSI, the FAA's knowledge-testing provider. Get your FAA Tracking Number (FTN) in IACRA and your instrument instructor's endorsement (not needed for ICH), 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-CT-8080-3F instrument 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: IRH for an instrument-helicopter rating, ICH if you're converting a Transport Canada instrument rating.
- 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. ICH needs no endorsement.
- Already instrument-rated in an airplane or another category? 61.65 says you don't take another knowledge test to add instrument-helicopter — confirm with your instructor or examiner.
- 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.
Pacing checkpoints
Our timed test uses the real length and time — 60 questions in 2 hours, the IRH length on the testing matrix — as one block of single-answer, three-choice questions; ICH is shorter. Figures that the real test shows from the FAA-CT-8080-3F 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.
- Memorize the helicopter IFR rules: 30 minutes of reserve fuel, an alternate unless the forecast is at least 1,000 feet (or 400 above minimums) and 2 miles, and alternate minimums of 200 feet above the approach and 1 mile.
- Drill holding entries and Copter and point-in-space approach notes — proceed visually versus proceed VFR.
- 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 minutes a question — spend the extra on approach plates and chart questions.
- Read whether a rule is the helicopter version — fuel, alternates and visibility minimums differ from airplanes.
- On approach plates, read the minimums table, the Copter or category notes and any visibility reduction before answering.
- 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 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 ACS codes of 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 instrument-helicopter practical test within that window or retake the knowledge test.
- Next comes the instrument-helicopter practical test under FAA-S-ACS-14 — an oral on IFR planning and procedures and a flight test with holding, approaches, partial-panel work and emergencies.
Official sources and further reading
- Instrument Rating – Helicopter ACS (FAA-S-ACS-14) ↗The official areas of operation, tasks and knowledge elements the test is built on.
- FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Matrix ↗Official question count, time, minimum age and the authorization each test requires.
- FAA airman knowledge testing supplements ↗The instrument figures book (FAA-CT-8080-3F) provided at the test center.
Ready to start?
283 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.