Hi Jon,
I have open questions in regards to taking the written test required for private pilot qualification for gyroplanes.
My first question is what areas of the written test would you recommend specifically concentrating on?
Second question is what subjects are in your opinion the most important areas to know without fault and are the most important to be aware of in order to pass with the least amount of potential errors while taking the test?
I appreciate any advise or insight you have in this regard. So Thank You in advance.
Should anyone else who reads this inquiry have important first hand knowledge or experience while taking the written test please feel free to add your two cents.
Weather is the one that usually clobbers people. Understanding which key indicators are in Centigrade and which are Fahrenheit is always problematic. You may expect the answer choices to include both and only one is correct. Visibility limits and cloud clearances frequently make an appearance.
The next likely is airspace. I expect that to be prominent this year with the introduction of ADS-B requirements. Along with airspace, there could be runway markers.
There will always be a couple of things regarding sectional charts and navigation. These should be easy, as long as you can use an E6-B.
Lastly, they like to ask when stuff expires (medicals, registrations, licenses, flight reviews, etc) and what requirements are for certain things. They love asking which documents are required to be in an aircraft. Most pilots I ask get that one wrong.
I strongly recommend using one of the many test-prep apps. My favorite is Dauntless, but all of them are pretty good.
Do helicopter and some fixed wing specific questions still show up on the private pilot portions of the written test questions?
I ask this since during my studies I have found in the past (several yrs. ago now) that there were indeed some questions outside and unrelated to gyroplanes. I find it frustrating when questions are required to be answered I was unaware needed to be correctly answered for a complete score without fore knowledge of these possibilities. I like to be concise with my answers. Again thank you for any guidance.
Alas, gyroplanes are still an afterthought with respect to anything FAA. I had a question about weight-shift wing warping on my CFI exam. Of course, they sometimes put a bogus question on test as some anti-cheating scheme. Somehow, it is supposed to prove you are cheating if you get it right. And yes, expect some questions that have absolutely nothing to do with gyroplanes. You may also expect that IF you get a gyroplane question, the answer will apply only to a 18S or similar 1960's vintage machine and not at all applicable to modern gyroplanes.
I suppose a more concise answer would be that you should be surprised if you find more than a couple of actual, valid gyroplane questions on the written. There were absolutely no gyroplane questions on the CFI renewal I took last September.
This confirms my suspicions and I think why every CFI or test taker I have spoken to tells me I will NEVER get a perfect score. And while I had the sign off to take the written back in 2016 I did not do so. Reason being is I hate failing or getting a passing score of 95% or less and it is just unacceptable to me.
Not because I am some sort of over achiever but because it has always been my way. I don't adhere to the No Win scenario also know in the Star Trek world as the "Kobayashi Maru". So I have been studying other aviation disciplines in the hope I can get closer to this goal. Also this would help out my CFI from having to review material over again. But I must say Jon your insight and answers are very concise and I Thank You for that!
You are one of the first to welcome me and kindest souls within this small community and the encouragement you provided @ my 2nd attendance @ Bensen Days when I brought and set up 2 computers to offer gyro sims in the club house and I will never forget it!
Take Care.