ACMC-130 Performance and Handling

Question 1

Define the different altitudes and their effect on performance

Answer 1

Absolute altitude: Distance above the surface (AGL)
True altitude: Distance above MSL
Indicated Altitude: altitude reading on altimeter calibrated to proper sea level reference
Pressure altitude: altitude reading on altimeter set at standard atmosphere sea level barometric conditions ( 29.92 inHg)
Density Altitude: Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. Best measurement of the air mass an aircraft is operating in, primary indicator of performance

Question 2

Describe the effect of temperature on performance and navigation systems

Answer 2

Cold weather corrections are listed in the FIH
Not required if using aircraft true alt function. WARNING: Obtaining an ALT CAL / ALT UPDATE at significantly higher or lower altitude than the target can induce substantial altimeter error. Need to be taken as close as possible to the objective error.

Question 3

Describe stalls and instruct stall recoveries

Answer 3

Blown lift; power off stall speeds are listed in the flight manual. J has stick pusher. Greatest percentage stall warning exists at 50% flap.
Approach to stall: Reduction of rudder and elevator control forces and high decent rate and g-break at stall. Recover at first indication of stall
Exceeding critical AoA causes a stall, “max relax roll”.
Move throttles to flight idle of asymmetric
Rudder is last to stall
Do not raise flaps (if extended) during recovery

Question 4

Describe the effect of the Fowler Flap on the C-130 wing

Answer 4

Increase chord and wing area. Nose down moments due to increased camber. Twisting loads on structure. Must be controlled with elevator. For the same AoA, CL will increase with flaps extended.

Question 5

Understand the fin stall and proper recovery

Answer 5

Reduce rudder force and / or use opposite rudder force to bring the aircraft back to coordinated flight. Smoothly recenter the ball

Question 6

Define parasitic and induced drag

Answer 6

Parasitic drag is a function of Velocity squared (similar to lift)
Induced drag is a function of AoA

Question 7

Be able to lead discussion on aircraft performance

Answer 7

CFL: (Legacy) the greater of the total runway distances - balanced or unbalanced - required to accel on all engines, experience an engine failure, and then recover to either continue the takeoff or stop.
(J) the total runway distance required to accell on all engines to CEF speed experience an engine failure then continue the takeoff or stop within the same distance.

Question 8

Understand and utilize energy and maneuverability diagrams

Answer 8

Slide 55. Velcocity, turn rate, turn radius, g lines, accel/decal lines.
Slide 56. Max inst turn, max sust turn, max sust airspeed, corder speed, min airspeed

Question 9

Understand the implications of low altitude threat reactions / Zero G bunt

Answer 9

Airspeed does not affect time-to-impact, at 0 g you lose altitude at 32 ft/s2. The faster you fly, the more g you will command for a given change in pitch - this could produce visual illusions.

Question 10

Air minimum control speed

Answer 10

Minimum speed Vmca to maintain directional control - function of temp and pressure altitude
Level flight is a function of power available and gross weight and whether you can maintain an AoA that supports that weight. For the C-130, yaw control required (rudder authority) establishes Vmca. As airspeed decreases, yaw from asymmetric thrust and windmilling prop drag increases. Rolling tendency caused by asymmetric prop slipstream increases; balanced by aerodynamic controls which become less effective.

Question 11

Best rate of climb

Answer 11

Best rate of climb: maximum altitude gain over time

Question 12

Best angle of climb

Answer 12

Maximum altitude gain over distance. If obstacles are a factor immediately after takeoff, maintain 50% flap obstacle clearance until clear.

Question 13

Service Ceiling

Answer 13

The altitude at which the maximum rate of climb capability at maximum continuous power and best climb speed is 100 ft per minute.

Question 14

Descents

Answer 14

Maximum range: Flight idle, clean - L/D max
Penetration: Max range to 20k ft - 250 kts to level
Rapid-configured: Flight idle, gear / 100 flap - 145 kts to level
Rapid-dive speed: Flight idle, clean - dive speed to level

Lighter aircraft descends faster

Question 15

Define Torsion Moment

Answer 15

The twisting of a body by the exertion of forces tending to turn one end about it’s axis while the other is held fast or turned in the opposite direction

Question 16

g limitations summary

Answer 16

Symmetrical maneuvers are those performed with ailerons neutral.

Question 17

MFLMETO and Vmca

Answer 17

MFLMETO does not gurantee Vmca1

Question 18

Describe the relationship between Vr and Takeoff speed

Answer 18

When computed refusal speed exceeds takeoff speed, use takeoff as refusal speed.
When computed refusal speed is less than takeoff, you must do an accel time check.