11.9 Flight Controls Flashcards
What is the primary purpose of flight control systems?
A) To manage fuel consumption
B) To control the forces of flight and aircraft direction/attitude
C) To monitor engine temperature
B) To control the forces of flight and aircraft direction/attitude
What type of aircraft typically still uses mechanical flight control systems?
A) Large commercial jets
B) High-speed military aircraft
C) Small general and sports category aircraft
C) Small general and sports category aircraft
What components are used in mechanical flight control systems?
A) Electric motors and fibre optics
B) Rods, cables, pulleys, and chains
C) Computer processors and screens
B) Rods, cables, pulleys, and chains
Why did hydromechanical systems replace basic mechanical systems in more advanced aircraft?
A) They increased engine thrust
B) They made aircraft more environmentally friendly
C) They reduced the weight and limitations of mechanical systems
C) They reduced the weight and limitations of mechanical systems
What is “fly-by-wire” in aviation?
A) A type of autopilot function
B) A flight control system where physical connections are replaced by electrical interfaces
C) A wireless communication system
B) A flight control system where physical connections are replaced by electrical interfaces
In fly-by-wire and augmented control systems, how is control feedback provided to the flight crew?
A) Through visual displays
B) Through tactile feedback via control sticks
C) Through simulated means
C) Through simulated means
What are the three primary flight control surfaces?
A) Flaps, slats, and spoilers
B) Ailerons, elevators, and rudder
C) Trim tabs, ailerons, and spoilers
B) Ailerons, elevators, and rudder
Which axis is controlled by the ailerons?
A) Lateral
B) Vertical
C) Longitudinal
C) Longitudinal
What effect does upward deflection of the right aileron have?
A) It increases lift on the right wing
B) It decreases lift on the right wing
C) It decreases drag
B) It decreases lift on the right wing
What happens when the pilot moves the yoke/sidestick to the right?
A) Both ailerons deflect downward
B) The aircraft rolls to the right
C) The elevators raise
B) The aircraft rolls to the right
Which axis is controlled by the elevators?
A) Lateral
B) Vertical
C) Longitudinal
A) Lateral
What movement of the control column causes the aircraft nose to pitch up?
A) Forward movement
B) Lateral movement
C) Aft movement
C) Aft movement
What aerodynamic effect causes the aircraft tail to move down during pitch-up?
A) Increased lift on the tail
B) Decreased lift on the tail
C) Increased downward aerodynamic force on the tail
C) Increased downward aerodynamic force on the tail
Which axis is controlled by the rudder?
A) Longitudinal
B) Lateral
C) Vertical
C) Vertical
How is the rudder controlled from the flight deck?
A) By joystick
B) By control wheel
C) By rudder pedals
C) By rudder pedals
What is the effect of pushing the left rudder pedal?
A) The nose yaws to the left
B) The nose yaws to the right
C) The tail moves to the left
A) The nose yaws to the left
What is the primary purpose of trim systems in an aircraft?
A) To increase speed during cruise
B) To reduce the workload on the flight crew to maintain an attitude
C) To improve engine efficiency
B) To reduce the workload on the flight crew to maintain an attitude
How do trim tabs function in relation to the main control surface?
A) They move in the same direction
B) They amplify movement
C) They move in the opposite direction
C) They move in the opposite direction
What kind of control system are trim tabs typically associated with?
A) Fully electric fly-by-wire systems
B) Manually operated primary flying controls
C) Autopilot systems
B) Manually operated primary flying controls
Which type of trim tab is directly linked to the control surface and helps the pilot overcome control forces?
A) Trim tab
B) Servo tab
C) Balance tab
C) Balance tab
What is the main function of a servo tab?
A) Provide trim during take-off
B) Aerodynamically assist in positioning a control surface
C) Balance forces at low speeds
B) Aerodynamically assist in positioning a control surface
Which trim tab type increases the force required to move the control surface, desensitising the controls?
A) Spring tab
B) Anti-servo tab
C) Balance tab
B) Anti-servo tab
What is a unique characteristic of spring tabs?
A) They move in the same direction as the control surface
B) They are active during slow flight
C) They assist only at high speeds
C) They assist only at high speeds
In modern aircraft, how is trim typically achieved without the use of trim tabs?
A) Manually by the pilot pulling levers
B) By autopilot alone
C) By small movements of the control surfaces via hydraulic actuators
C) By small movements of the control surfaces via hydraulic actuators