Aircraft Knowledge Flashcards
What is the typical structure of a helicopter?
The typical structure of a helicopter consists of a fuselage with a mast protruding upward out of it.
What is used to generate thrust?
The main rotor.
What helps balance the thrust of the main rotor?
a tail rotor or dual opposite spinning rotor.
In what countries does the main rotor rotate counterclockwise?
The USA, UK, and Germany.
What advantages does the turbine engine have over a reciprocating engine?
Less vibration, increased aircraft performance, reliability, and ease of operation.
What types of rotor systems are there?
Single, Tandem, and Coaxial.
Which rotor system uses one main rotor on a mast and a separate tail rotor?
Single rotor system.
Which rotor system uses two main rotors spinning opposite and inside each others path?
Tandem rotor system.
Which rotor system uses two main rotors mounted on the same mast?
Coaxial rotor systems.
Which rotor system uses a set of two rotors turning in opposite directions with each rotor mast mounted on the helicopter with a slight angle to the other.
Intermeshing rotor system
What does the rotor consist of?
The mast, hub, and rotor blades.
What are the four flight control inputs?
cyclic, collective, antitorque pedals, and throttle.
what are the two basic flight conditions for helicopters?
Hover and forward flight.
What are the 4 forces acting upon an aircraft?
Lift, thrust, drag, and weight.
Define Thrust?
the forward force produced by the power
plant/propeller or rotor. It opposes or overcomes the
force of drag. As a general rule, it acts parallel to the
longitudinal axis
Define drag?
a rearward, retarding force caused by
disruption of airflow by the wing, rotor, fuselage, and
other protruding objects. Drag opposes thrust and acts
rearward parallel to the relative wind.
Define lift?
opposes the downward force of weight, is
produced by the dynamic effect of the air acting on
the airfoil, and acts perpendicular to the flight path
through the center of lift.
Define weight?
the combined load of the aircraft itself, the
crew, the fuel, and the cargo or baggage. The weight pulls
the aircraft downward because of the force of gravity.
It opposes lift and acts vertically downward through
the aircraft’s center of gravity (CG)
What is Bernoulli’s Principle?
Bernoulli’s principle describes the relationship between
internal fluid pressure and fluid velocity. when lower pressure occurs over a wing blade than under it, lift is achieved. Airflow is travelling faster a
