Aircraft Flashcards
Why do controllers need to know about ACFT performance?
Because it is essential for the provision of a safe and efficient air traffic control service. The quality of service provided is dependent on other controllers knowledge of ACFT performance
The knowledge is used to:
- Provide separation
- Decide the allocation of cruising levels
- Create approach/departure sequences
- Use speed control
- Provide wake turbulence separation
- Use other ATC techniques
REFER TO EXAMPLES IN UK ACFTB 01 BOOKLET
What is the Climb Gradient and how is it calculated?
The ratio of height gained to distance travelled expressed as a percentage.
tan(angle)=height/distance
Why is the Minimum Climb Gradient specified on Instrument Departure Procedures?
It is required to overfly the obstacles in the departure area at a safe altitude defined as Minimum Obstacle Clearance.
What is Rate of Climb?
The vertical component of the ACFTs velocity.
Rate of Turn (ROT) is constant if ____ and ____ remain constant
- ) Speed
2. ) Bank
What is the ICAO standard turn and what is it used for?
- 3 degrees per second but MAX 25 degrees of bank.
- It is used for Instrument flight procedures e.g. holding
- Required angle of bank can be calculated by (TAS/10) +7
What is an ICAO ACFT type designator?
- A unique designator assigned by ICAO to each type/series of ACFT.
- MAX of 4 alphanumeric characters.
- Intended to be used in flight plans and ATS Messages.
- E.g. Airbus A320 = A320 and Boeing 737-300 = B733
- ICAO Doc 8643
What is an ICAO ACFT type descriptor?
- 3 character code which describes an ACFT.
- 1st character represents ACFT category.
- 2nd represents No. of engines.
- 3rd represents type of engines.
- ICAO Doc 8643
What are the 2 broad categories of ACFT?
Heavier than air and lighter than air
What are the 2 further ACFT categories within heavier than air category ?
Powered and non-powered
What are the 2 further ACFT categories within powered category?
Aeroplanes and Rotorcraft
What are the 3 further ACFT distinctions within aeroplanes category?
Land planes, Sea planes and Amphibians
What are the Wake Turbulence Categories (WTC)?
- Light - 7000kg or less
- Medium - 7000-136,000kg
- Heavy - 136,000kg or more
- For A380, the word super can be added to Heavy. Higher minima.
What are the 5 ICAO Approach categories?
1.3 times stall speed in landing config at MAX certified landing mass
A: < 91kt IAS B: 91kt ≤ IAS 121kt C: 121kt ≤ IAS < 141kt D: 141kt ≤ IAS < 166kt E: 166kt ≤ IAS < 211kt H: Helicopters (May use category A)
What are the main structural components of a fixed wing ACFT?
- Fuselage
- Empennage (tail section)
- Wings
- Powerplant (engines)
- Landing gear (undercarriage) and nose wheel
What are the main structural components of a rotorcraft?
- Fuselage
- Tail section
- Power plant
- Rotor
- Undercarriage
What are the 4 major forces acting on an ACFT?
- WEIGHT - Downward acting force which acts through the centre of gravity.
- LIFT - Upward force which must overcome the weight of the ACFT in order for it to climb.
- THRUST - Produced by the engines resulting in the ACFT moving forward either by horizontal lift (Propellers) or expanding gases pushed backwards (Jet).
- DRAG - retarding force caused by disruption of air flow by various parts of the ACFT as it moves through the air.
What happens with the 4 major forces during straight and level flight?
Weight is balanced by lift and drag is balanced by thrust.
What is the Centre of Gravity?
The point of balance, the position of which depends upon the load, mass of the ACFT and position of the individual parts of the ACFT.
What is static pressure?
Pressure measured with a gauge which is motionless with respect to the air. It acts equally in all directions and decreases with altitude.
What is dynamic pressure?
Pressure exerted as a result of the airs motion acting in the direction of the movement only. Proportional to the density of the air and the square of the speed of the air.
What is air density?
The mass per unit volume of the atmosphere. Proportional to static pressure and inversely proportional to temperature.
What is total pressure?
The sum of static and dynamic pressure.
What is an aerofoil?
A shape capable of producing lift as it passes through the air.