Aircraft Performance

Question 1

Piston engine

Answer 1

Ground - 12000 ft
Up to 250 knots
Rate of climb: 500 - 1500 FPM
Rate of descent: 500 - 1500 FPM
Rate of turn: 3 degree per sec/ rate 1
Long run up
No delay in acceleration
Very fuel efficient
Does not ingest FOD (propeller can strike)

Question 2

Jet engine

Answer 2

25000 ft + (most efficient: turbojet 36000ft/ turbofan 33000 - 37000ft)
300 - 500 knots
Rate of climb: 1500 - 6000 FPM
Rate of descent: 2000 - 6000 FPM
Rate of turn: 1.5 degrees per sec (pax aircraft)/ rate 1/2
No run up
Long delay in acceleration
Consumes excessive amount of fuel
Ingests FOD

Question 3

Turboprop

Answer 3

13000 - 25000 ft
200 - 300 knots
Rate of climb: 1500 - 3000FPM
Rate of descent: 1500 - 4000 FPM
Rate of turn: 3 degrees per sec/ rate 1
Short run up
Slight delay in acceleration
Operating below normal altitude causes high fuel consumption
Does not ingest FOD (propeller can strike FOD)

Question 4

Coarse pitch

Answer 4

Most efficient for cruising

Blade set at a large angel of attack

Greater distance for given RPM

Question 5

Fine pitch

Answer 5

Produces greater power for better take off & climb

Blade set at a lower angel of attack

Question 6

Fixed pitch

Answer 6

Compromise between coarse & fine pitch

Blade angle is set by the manufacturer

Question 7

Variable pitch

Answer 7

Used to enable pilot to select the most efficient pitch to maximize flight

Question 8

Constant speed propeller

Answer 8

Variable pitch propeller fitted with a governor (alters blade angle to maintain constant RPM)

Question 9

Reversible pitch

Answer 9

Turning blades to full reverse pitch to produce a pushing action rather than pulling

Nose wheel must be in contact with ground before pilot is able to select reverse pitch

Question 10

Feathering

Answer 10

Turning blades to extreme coarse pitch for streaming to stop it from rotating

Desirable when you want to stop engine