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ATP Elevate Notes > Aerodynamics > Flashcards

Aerodynamics Flashcards

1
Q

What are the four forces of aerodynamics?

A
  • Thrust
  • Drag
  • Lift
  • Weight
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2
Q

What is thrust in aerodynamics?

A

Forward force produced by the propeller

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3
Q

Define drag in the context of aerodynamics.

A

Rearward force caused by disruption of airflow

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4
Q

What is lift?

A

Upward force created by air acting on airfoils

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5
Q

What does weight refer to in aerodynamics?

A

Downward force caused by gravity

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6
Q

State Bernoulli’s principle.

A

Higher air velocity results in lower pressure

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7
Q

What is Newton’s third law?

A

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction

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8
Q

Describe the design of an airfoil.

A

Upper surface is longer than lower surface

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9
Q

What is the result of the airfoil design?

A

Creates higher pressure below, resulting in lift

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10
Q

Define angle of attack (AoA).

A

Angle between chord line and relative wind

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11
Q

What is the relationship between AoA and speed?

A

Greater AoA is needed at lower speeds

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12
Q

In steady flight, what is true about the forces?

A

All forces are balanced; opposite forces are equal

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13
Q

What is parasite drag?

A

Drag caused by wind moving around the aircraft

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14
Q

Define form drag.

A

Drag caused by wind moving around the aircraft

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15
Q

What is interference drag?

A

Drag caused by the intersection of wind streams at 90° angles

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16
Q

What causes skin friction drag?

A

Caused by any non-smooth surfaces on the aircraft

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17
Q

What is induced drag?

A

Byproduct of lift, altered by changing AoA

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18
Q

Describe wingtip vortices.

A

Moves out, up, in, around wing tips, then moves outward and down

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19
Q

When are wingtip vortices most prevalent?

A

In heavy, clean, slow aircraft

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20
Q

What is ground effect?

A

Interference of ground surface with airflow

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21
Q

What are the effects of ground effect?

A
  • Breaks up vortices
  • Increases performance
  • Reduces drag
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22
Q

How do higher temperature and humidity affect density altitude?

A

Increase density altitude, decreasing performance

Higher temperature and humidity lead to a decrease in air density, which can adversely impact aircraft performance.

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23
Q

What is the CG in aviation?

A

Point where the plane would balance, if suspended

CG stands for Center of Gravity, a critical factor in aircraft stability and control.

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24
Q

What are the three axes of aircraft movement?

A
  • Lateral - stabilator
  • Longitudinal - ailerons
  • Vertical - rudders

These axes define the orientation and movement of the aircraft in three-dimensional space.

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25
Q

What does ‘Moment’ measure in aviation?

A

Measures an aircraft’s tendency to rotate

Moment is calculated as the product of force applied and the distance at which it is applied.

26
Q

How is Moment calculated?

A

Moment = weight X arm

The arm is the distance from the reference point to the applied force.

27
Q

How is CG calculated?

A

CG = total moment / total weight

This formula helps determine the aircraft’s center of gravity based on its weight distribution.

28
Q

What is Stability in aviation?

A

Ability of an aircraft to correct deviations after a disturbance

Stability is crucial for safe flight operation and handling.

29
Q

What is Static stability?

A

Initial tendency back to equilibrium

Static stability refers to how an aircraft reacts immediately after a disturbance.

30
Q

What is Dynamic stability?

A

Overall tendency after disturbance

Dynamic stability considers how the aircraft behaves over time after a disturbance.

31
Q

What does Longitudinal stability refer to?

A

Quality of pitch stability

It assesses how well the aircraft maintains its pitch attitude.

32
Q

What is Lateral stability?

A

Stability of roll

Lateral stability ensures the aircraft maintains its roll attitude during flight.

33
Q

What does Directional stability refer to?

A

Yaw stability

It involves how well the aircraft maintains its directional path during flight.

34
Q

What are the two components of lift in a turn?

A
  • Vertical (upward)
  • Horizontal (inward)

Understanding these components is essential for managing aircraft performance during turns.

35
Q

What is a Coordinated turn?

A

Left turn, left rudder

A coordinated turn maintains balanced flight and prevents skidding.

36
Q

What is a Slipping turn?

A

Left turn, right rudder

This type of turn can lead to a loss of control and should be avoided.

37
Q

What is a Skidding turn?

A

Left turn, excessive left rudder (avoid)

Skidding turns can cause adverse yaw and loss of control.

38
Q

In a turn, what must be increased to equalize total lift and total weight?

A

Angle of Attack (AoA)

Adjusting AoA is crucial for maintaining lift during turns.

39
Q

What occurs during a climb when lift is initially greater than weight?

A

Aircraft will balance and airspeed decreases

This indicates a transition from a climb to a stable flight condition.

40
Q

What causes stalls in aircraft?

A

Exceeding critical AoA

Stalls result in significant loss of lift, starting at the wing root and spreading to the wing tips.

41
Q

What is the result of a stall combined with yaw?

A

Spin, uncoordinated stall

This situation can lead to a dangerous loss of control.

42
Q

What condition is necessary for recovery from a stall to be achieved?

A

Being within CG envelope

Center of Gravity (CG) envelope is crucial for recovery.

43
Q

What does the coefficient of lift (CL) describe?

A

Lift depending on atmospheric variables

CL is a key factor in understanding lift performance.

44
Q

What is CLMax?

A

Maximum peak of CL at critical AoA

This is the highest lift coefficient before stall occurs.

45
Q

What is the recovery procedure for a spin?

A

Full opposite rudder, elevator forward, aileron level, power idle

These steps help regain control of the aircraft during a spin.

46
Q

What is torque reaction in relation to propeller forces?

A

Opposite force trying to go opposite direction of propeller spin

This creates a left turning tendency in the aircraft.

47
Q

What is the corkscrew effect?

A

Spiraling slipstream around the plane causing left turn tendency

This effect is due to the rotation of the propeller.

48
Q

What does gyroscopic action refer to?

A

Turning of a gyro in response to a deflective force, felt 90 degrees later

This can create either left or right turning tendencies.

49
Q

What is P-factor in aviation?

A

Ascending blade is thinner than descending blade

This phenomenon also contributes to the left turning tendency of the aircraft.

50
Q

What is the load factor in aviation?

A

Amount of force of the aircraft’s structure, measured in G’s

51
Q

What is the limit load factor?

A

Highest load factor in normal operation, specified by category (normal, utility, acrobatic)

52
Q

What causes the load factor to increase significantly?

A

Centrifugal force and weight; increases significantly after 60 degrees of bank

53
Q

What happens if an aircraft is flying below maneuvering speed?

A

Aircraft will stall before it breaks

54
Q

What is the reference datum in aviation?

A

Invisible vertical plane from which weight arms are measured

55
Q

How are arms measured in relation to the center of gravity (CG)?

A

Arms forward of CG are negative, behind are positive

56
Q

Who is responsible for weight and balance in aviation?

A

Pilot in command (PIC)

57
Q

What constitutes standard empty weight?

A

Airframe + engine + unusable oil and fuel

58
Q

What is the basic empty weight of an aircraft?

A

Standard empty weight + flight instruments

59
Q

Define payload in aviation.

A

Occupants + baggage

60
Q

What is useful load?

A

Pilots + passengers + baggage + usable oil/fuel

61
Q

Fill in the blank: Zero fuel weight = Useful load - _______

A

Fuel

62
Q

What does fuel load refer to?

A

Usable fuel

ATP Elevate Notes (6 decks)

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