18. Forces acting on an aircraft (Descending)

Question 1

In a steady-speed glide, the component of …….. parallel to the flight path is equal to the drag.

Answer 1

weight

Question 2

The airspeed in the glide is determined by the …….. …….. selected by the pilot.

Answer 2

nose attitude

Question 3

For the shallowest glide angle and the best still-air gliding range, the aircraft must be flown at the airspeed that achieves the angle of attack for the best …….. ……..

Answer 3

L/D ratio

Question 4

If the flaps are lowered in the glide and speed is maintained, the nose attitude will be (lower / higher), the glide angle (steeper / shallower) and the rate of descent (higher / lower)

Answer 4

lower; steeper; higher

Question 5

Aircraft weight (affects / does not affect) the glide angle. At a lower weight, the speed for the best glide angle should be (higher / lower)

Answer 5

does not affect; lower

Question 6

A headwind or tailwind component (does / does not) affect the glide angle through the air mass.

Answer 6

does not

Question 7

Gliding with a tailwind component will make the flight path over the ground (shallower / steeper). The range in the glide will be (increased / decreased) but the time taken to reach the ground will be (longer / shorter / the same)

Answer 7

shallower; increased; the same