13.1 Theory of Flight Flashcards
Which controls provide lateral control about the longitudinal axis?
Ailerons
Which controls provide longitudinal control about the lateral axis?
Elevators
Which control provides directional control about the normal axis?
Rudder
Why are the control surfaces placed at the maximum distance from the centre of gravity?
Produce the greatest turning moment
What is meant by the term ‘instinctive’ in relation to control surface movement?
The pilot moves the cockpit control in the direction the aircraft is desired to fly
What are used to limit the angular range of movement of the control surfaces?
Mechanical stops at both the control surface and at the controls in the cockpit
The down going aileron has a greater angle of attack compared to the up going aileron.
What effect does this lead to? How can this be overcome?
More lift and drag on the down going aileron, aircraft will tend to yaw in the direction of the down going aileron (aileron drag or adverse aileron yaw)
Differential aileron
Frise type aileron
Slotted aileron
Spoilers (augment roll)
Wing tip washout
Describe a frise aileron.
Special section with hinges set back in the leading edge
The leading edge of the upgoing aileron protrudes below the wing, creating more drag
Thus, greater drag is produced on the aileron on the inner wing in the turn, helping to turn the aircraft in that direction
What is washout?
Reduction of wing incidence towards the wing tip
What movement of the elevators is necessary to pitch the aircraft nose up?
Elevator moving up
Stabilators provide stability, control and what else?
Trim
If a stabilator has an anti balance tab, what direction will the tab move in relation to the stabilator?
In the same direction as the stabilator trailing edge
How does an anti balance tab provide feel?
Increases the aerodynamic load which has to be overcome by the pilot
What is the primary advantage of a variable incidence stabiliser?
Having the elevator in continuation with the stabiliser ensures that drag is minimised
Full range of elevator travel is available
How would the rudder be positioned to achieve a yaw to the right?
Rudder will move right
How can sideslip or spinning be prevented when the rudder is operated?
Interconnecting the ailerons, therefore when the rudder is applied, the ailerons are automatically operated
What is the purpose of a rudder limiter?
At high speeds, large rudder movements cause large stresses on the aircraft
At lower speeds, large rudder movements are required for adequate yaw control
Rudder must be limited at high speeds, but free to move at low speeds
What does yaw damping prevent and how is this achieved?
Automatically moves the rudder approximately 3° either side of the neutral position fast enough to prevent Dutch rolling causing discomfort to the passengers
Why is the foreplane or canard mounted a larger angle of incidence than the mainplane?
Makes sure that the foreplane stalls before the mainplane so that the aircraft will not stall or spin
Describe an elevon.
Control surface on the trailing edge of delta wing aircraft
Acts both as elevators and ailerons
When acting together, acts as elevators
When acting in opposition, acts as ailerons
Which conventional controls would a ruddervator replace?
Rudder and elevator
How do leading edge slats increase lift at low speeds?
Slot produced is larger at the leading edge than at the rear
Airflow going through the slot from below wing to the top is accelerated and increases the velocity of the boundary layer above the wing
Delays separation of the airflow from the top surface of the wing
Increases the maximum coefficient of lift
How is deployment of the slat controlled?
From the cockpit using the flap selector handle
Move with the trailing edge flaps in the correct sequence
How do leading edge flaps increase lift?
Increases the leading edge camber
What additional advantage does a variable camber leading edge flap have over a Krueger flap?
Also functions as a slat
What happens to the centre of pressure as the extension flap is deployed? What affect does this have? How is it overcome?
The centre of pressure makes a large rearward movement
Causes the aircraft to pitch nose down
Smaller aircraft are fitted with a trim tab which moves down when the flap is lowered to prevent the nose down pitch
What 2 forms of protection are needed for high lift devices?
Asymmetry and very high flap loadings
What are flaperons?
Control surface that operate both as flaps or ailerons
Operate together as flaps
Operate differentially as ailerons
What is the difference between spoiler use on the ground and in the air?
Ground – Reduce wing lift on landing
Air – Assist large aileron control wheel commands, raised to assist the up going aileron
What governs movements of the spoiler’s when the speed brakes are selected?
Speedbrake lever in the cockpit, on the centre pedestal
What four conditions must be met to allow lift dump?
Speedbrake lever in the armed position
Aircraft weight on the undercarriage (through the air/ground sensing system)
All thrust levers in their idle positions
Aircraft wheels rotating (provides a time delay and ensures the aircraft is on the ground)
What happens to lift dump if the thrust levers are moved forwards after landing?
The speedbrake lever automatically moves to the down position
Spoilers retract
What device can be used to initiate a stall at the wing root rather than the tip?
Leading edge spoiler or stall wedge