Airlink Interview Questions Flashcards
What is an EAT
Expected approach time. The time you are expected to be overhead the IAF in order to commence the approach procedure
What is OCT
Onward clearance time, the time ATC expects you to leave an en route fix in order to position for the IAP (Normally within 10 minutes of your EAT)
IFR Alternate requirements
91.06.34 You may not nominate an aerodrome as an alternate unless it has a published letdown procedure if the aerodrome is expected to be in IMC conditions
Special VFR
Take off/Landing Within a control zone Cloud base of 600ft 1500m visibility By day only May not interfere with IFR traffic By ATC approval only
VMU
Minimum unstick speed - Aircraft testing speed which is the minimum speed an aircraft will be able to rotate and climb out with all engines operational
Aquaplaning speed
9x square root of tire pressure for take off
7.6x square root of tire pressure for landing
3 types of hydroplanning
Dynamic - Deep standing water, where tire build a wedge up against the water and is lifted above the ground
Viscous - Thin layer of water that the tire cannot penetrate, normally on smooth surfaces with rubber deposits
Reverted Rubber - Occurs as a result of dynamic hydroplaning, heavy braking and a long skid. Tire heats due to friction and reverts to its original state, water boils and forms a pocket of steam which lifts the wheel off the ground, signs are long white streaks on runway
Effects of spanwise flow over a wing
reduced aileron efficiency
Increased wing tip vortices
Tip stalling
What is the purpose of a Mach Trimmer
To counteract the nose down pitching moment of Mach Tuck and increases the aircraft Mach Crit. It uses information from Mach meter and controls the angle of incidence of the Horizontal Stabilizer
What wing is most effected by dutch roll
Swept wing aircraft - Initial Yaw, upgoing wing is more exposed to airflow, greater lift and rolls. Increased drag causes a yaw in the opposite direction and therefore roll in opposite direction.
Oscillations in Yaw and Roll
What increases Dutch Roll
Wing Sweep
High Wing loading
High Altitude flight
What is propeller blade twist
Helix Angle, reason is the prop tips turn at a higher speed than the propeller root. By twisting the propeller you ensure a constant angle of attack throughout the blade
Describe maximum continues thrust
Maximum thrust which may be set for an indefinite period of time expressed as N1 or EPR
Where will you find a Microburst
Below well developed CB cloud and in the vicinity of thunderstoms
What is VMCG
Minimum control speed on the ground by use of aerodynamic control surfaces only (Rudder)
It is higher than VMCA
Increased with increased engine thrust and rearward C of G
What hazards to aviation does icing cause
Increased weight Reduced engine power Blocking of vents (Pitot, static) Degraded aerodymanic properties (Loss of lift) Freezing of control surfaces Degraded communication and navigation
What is the missed approach climb gradient
2.5%
MSA in ICAO and RSA
1000ft and 1500ft
What do you understand about an IRS
Internal Reference System
Independent navigation system
Makes use of accleromenters, gyros and a computer to plot great circle tracks
Accelerometers - Plot aircraft’s movement from parking bay
Gyro - Aligns to true north
Computer - Corrects for variation and errors
What is the Jeppesen definition of cloud ceiling
Lowest Layer of cloud covering more than half the sky below 20 000ft
Definition of LVP’s
Low Visibility Procedures
Procedures put in place by ATC to ensure safe traffic separation in the localizer sensitive area during low visibility operations
LVTO
Low visibility take off - Any take off conducted where the RVR is less than 400m
What is Mach No
Ratio of TAS compared to the LSS
GNSS Approach
Global Navigation Satellite System
A letdown procedure utilizing the GPS
Explain Windshear in a Microburst
Initial up draft followed by an extreme down draft
Why do tropical cyclones not form on the Equator
No Coriolis effect
Wet and contaminated Runways
Wet - Shiny apperance to it, less than 3mm standing water
Contaminated - more than 3mm of standing water covering more than 25% of the runway, slush, snow or ice
What is an Approach Ban
A point at FAF where the approach must be abandoned if the RVR and cloud ceiling (Only for NPA) falls below minima
You may continue beyond the FAF under the following conditions
- Cloud base/RVR is variable on minima
- It is a training flight and missed approach is pre planned
- The weather drops below the minima once you have passed the FAF
Where there is NO FAF indicated, Glideslope is intercepted for PA
For NPA 1000ft AGL
Jeppesen - Maltese Cross
91.07.2
FAF or Precision/Non Precision approaches
Final approach segment begins - Maltese cross/Glideslope intercept or within 5 degrees of the inbound were no FAF is indicated
Why is it important to Check Outer Marker Crossing height
Check for false glideslopes and that you have the correct QNH set
If Transmissiometer at TDZE is unservicable may you continue your appraoch
Yes, you can convert Visibility to RVR via the tables 91.07.4
What do you understand about WAT limtiation
Weight, altitude, temperature limitations which ensure you comply with 4 segment climb profile with one engine inoperative
Define VA,VLO,VSO
VA - Maneuvering speed - Maximum speed at which full scale control deflection is achieved without over stressing the aircraft
VLO - Landing gear operating speed
VSO - Basic stall speed in the landing configuration
What does established mean
5 degrees for an NDB
half scale on the localizer/VOR
Maximum RVR recorded
1500m
What is Mach Tuck
Nose down pitching moment caused by rearward movement of the C of P as the shockwave moves down over the upper surface of the wing
Balanced field
V1 is calculated that you ASDR is equal to your TODR
Advantages of Swept wing aircrafts
Higher Mach Crit
More lateral stability in turbulence - Due to reduced lift of swept wings
AIRMET
Recorded telephone message which provides FORECAST of weather for a particular area
SIGMET
Significant Meteorological Weather Report
Valid 4 hours unless volcanic ash/TRS = 6 hours
Thunderstorms
Squall lines
Severe Windshear/turbulance
Severe Icing conditions
Heavy Rain
What is a METAR
Meteorological Aerodrome Report releasing the actual weather at an aerodrome every 1 hour
What is a Speci
Aviation Select Special Weather Report (valid for the same period as a METAR)
TEMPO
BECMG
PROB
Temporary changes of less than 1 hour but longer than 30min
Becoming indicated with a time frame
Probability of weather indicated in a percentage up until 40%
Two types of Reverse Thrust
Bucket/Clamshell
Cascade
What happens to V1 on a wet runway
V1 may reduce in order to remain within limits of TORR
Explain FADEC
Full Authority Digital Engine Control
Control engine start sequence and all aspects of engine parameters throughout flight allowing the engine to operate at its optimum efficiency
Total FADEC failure = Engine Failure
ICAO Weight Categories
Light - 0 - 7000kg
Medium - 7000 - 136000kg
Heavy - above 136000kg
Lost Comm Procedure
IMC - Radar control area - Maintain last assigned flight level or lowest safe altitude for 7 minutes starting once 7600 is squawking, aircraft failed to report over compulsory point, last assigned level MSA/MORA is reached. Continue climb to planned level, route over head aerodrome and descent in hold, commence approach at closest time to EAT or ETA and land within 30 in of EAT.
No Radar control - Maintain last assigned level for 20min
VMC - Route to nearest suitable aerodrome, report arrival to ATC as soon as practical
Visual and VMC Apprpoach
Visual
ATC responsible for traffic separation 25nm of airfield passed known reporting point Ceiling above MSA Visual reference to terrain
VMC
Requested by Pilot
Responsible for own traffic separation
Ensure approach is able to be flown in VMC conditions
Prescribed by ATC
ICAO Holding speeds
14000ft - 230kts (170)
14000ft -20000ft - 240kts
20000ft - 34000ft -265kts
What is DA referenced to
Threshold elevation
Mayday and Pan call
Grave and eminent life theatening danger to safety of crew and passengers on board
Commander has an urgent message to relay regarding the safety of the flight
How does anti skid system work
By sensing wheel rotation, when wheel rotation is to slow or stops, break pressure is reduced in order to prevent wheel lockup effectively increasing braking efficiency
Prevent Aquaplaning
Firm touchdown, aerodynamic breaking, anti skid braking, only apply brakes when all 3 wheel points are on the ground
The only 7 things you can be cleared for
Start Taxi Enter/cross active runway Take off Enter an airspace Approach Landing
Localiser Sterile area
Extends 150m either side of the centreline, extends from the localiser aerial to the beginning of the runway.
No aircraft/vehicle may enter this area from the time an aircraft is on a 10nm final until the time it vacates the runway or until a departing aircraft has completed its take off run
What is an MEL
Minimum equipment list of an operator as approved by the state authority and the MMEL from the aircraft manufacturer which allows aircraft’s to be dispatched with open snags under certain conditions and restrictions
What is a CDL
Configuration Deviation List - Same as a MEL put refers to the structure of the aircraft
Speeds for CTR and ATZ
below 10 000ft outside controlled airspace - 250kts Turbine - 200kts Piston - 160kts 50nm of beacon - 250kts 15nm of beacon - 210kts
En route holding times
14000ft - 4min and 984ft OCH
Classes of Airspace in SA
Class A - IFR only above 20 000ft
Class C - IFR/VFR traffic and separation, controlled
Class F - Advisory - IFR/VFR receive advisory traffic service
Class G - Information service is provided in requested
Stages of a Thunderstorm
Developing - Growing CB, updrafts
Mature - Heavy rainfall, large downdrafts, windshear, MB
Dissipating - Exhausted local supply of moisture, light rain, Anvil
Microburst
1-5min in length Severe downdrafts 5km in diameter associated with large well developed thunderstorms may not be associated with rain
What is a Jetstream
Narrow band of fast flowing air in the upper troposphere
caused by large temperature gradient
wind speed greater than 60kts to be classified JS
1500nm in length, 600nm wide, 12000ft deep
23000ft - 56000ft
associated with CAT
Polar Jet, Sub tropical Jet - Westerly
Equatorial Jet - Light Easterly
What is a tropical cyclone
TRS - Typhoon - Indian ocean
Hurricane in the Pacific Ocean
Takes its energy from the latent heat in water 27 deg
dissipates over land
Backs in NH
Veers in SH
Deep low depression found along ITCZ
5-20 degrees North and South of Equator
Requires large Coriolis force
Fly right in NH, left in SH to take advantage of winds
Strong winds and spiral arrangement of storms
Advantages of T Tail design
undisturbed airflow, reduced drag, increased lift, allows for tail mounted engines, more responsive pitch control
Disadvantages of T Tail design
Deep stall
increased weight
CANPA/CDFA
Constant angle non precision approach/ Constant descent final approach
Windshear
Rapid changes in wind direction and speed elevated runways vicinity of thunderstorms approach over water mountainous terrain
Approach techniques
Predictive windshear mode, increase Vref, reduce flap setting to minimum required, listen for pilot reports, monitor indicated airspeed
In event of go around do not make rapid configuration changes
Wake Turbulance
Created by wingtip vortices of large aircraft’s at high angels of attack and low speed
Take off - Rotate before point of rotation of aircraft
Landing - stay above the glide path and land after touchdown point of aircraft
Most severe at point of rotation of large aircraft where a light crosswind exists
Radar Control separation - 5nm
Visaul signs of wake turbulance
plumbs of dust on either side of runway, rotary clouds
What can change wake turbulance delay times
Wind Direction and speed
Intersection take off
What do you do if tower tells you runway is contaminatd
Refer to aircraft performance graphs to ensure you are within the limits for landing distance available
Calculate landing distance at 115% of available
Aerodynamic and anti skid braking with firm touchdown
brief on aquaplaning
Coffin Corner
Occurs at aircraft’s absolute ceiling
Onset of the Mach buffet is equal to the lower end of the stall speed
Compressor Stall
Axial Velocity of airflow is low compared to the tangential velocity of the turbine blade
Stall occurs, leads to pressure rise and reverse flow
Reasons - Worn turbine blades, disturbed airflow at intake, excessive combustion chamber pressure, high altitude flight
Pilot Response - Reduce Power, AOA, descent, increase airspeed
RVSM
Reduced vertical seperation minima by ICAO, allows 1000ft clearance between flight levels from FL290-F410
Water/Alcohol Injection
Boosting and cooling incoming by water vapour, methanol injection - increases air density and increases performance
Disadvantages - quenching flame and leads to un burnt fuel out of exhaust and black smoke trail
CAVOK
Ceiling and visibility Ok
greater than 10km Ceiling above 5000ft or MSA NSW No thunderstorms (CB) withing 25mn of aerodrome
Deep/Superstall
Swept wing aircrafts with T tail design are most prone
Wing tip stalls first, CP moves up the wing leading to a nose up pitching moment, aircraft stalls the tail plane is enveloped in disturbed airflow from the wing causing elevator control to be rendered uselss
Prevent - Stick pushers and Shakers
Why do engines have auto ignition
In order to prevent engine flame out and protect against disturbed/turbulent airflow
TORA/TODA
TORA - usable runway
TODA - Usable runway + Stopway + Clearway
Circle to Land Minima ICAO
Cat A - 400ft 1500m
Cat B - 500ft 1600m
Cat C - 600ft 2400m
Cat D - 700ft 3600m
ILS Minima
CAT 1 - 200ft 550m RVR 800m vis CAT 2 - 100ft 300m RVR CAT 3a - 0-100ft 200m RVR CAT 3b - 0-50ft 75m-200mm RVR CAT 3c - 0ft 0 RVR
RVR TDZE lighting out
Pilot assessment, you can count the runway center-line/edge lights and calculate RVR. If above applicable minima you may depart
How can one increase Mach Crit
Reduce Camber, thinner wing, sweepback, Mach Trimmer,
What is the difference between fog and mist
Fog - 1000m
Mist - 1000m-5000m
Localiser and glideslope range
Localizer - 35 degree’s 17nm, 10 degrees 25nm
Glideslope - 8 degrees withing the localiser area
How many phases are in an approach
5 Arrival Initial Intermediate Final Missed approach
What is the troposphere, its temperature and altitude
The top of the troposphere where the temperature becomes isothermal. ISA conditions 36090ft -56.5 degrees. Most of the worlds weather occurs in the troposphere.
Warmer at poles than at the equator, greater isothermal layer at the poles
At Equator - 56000ft
At Poles - 30000ft
SID climb gradient
3.3% Gross, 2.5% net
Give 6 reasons for spoilers
Ailerons are limited in size and therefore effectiveness
Sweep-back reduces aileron effectiveness
Ailerons can lead to wing twist at high altitude, high speed flight
Used as speed brakes to slow the aircraft down
Used as lift dump devices on the ground
Used to counteract adverse aileron yaw but applying drag to the down going wing
What is Q feel
Artificial feel system for fly by wire controls
calculated at 1/2r V squared
What is the helix angle
Angle between the resultant relative velocity and the blade rotation angle
MABH
Minimum break off height - aircrafts with large inertia, minimum height on an ILS where in the event of a missed approach procedure the wheels will not come in contact with the ground
You encounter red centreline lights? what does this mean?
last 300m of the active runway….
Threshold to 900m left - white
900-300m - alternating red and white
300m - red
ICAO wake turbulence separation
Light- heavy - 3min 6nm
Medium-heavy - 2min 5nm
Heavy-Heavy - 4nm
Intersection take off add 1min
VMCL
VMCA in the landing config on approach, VMCL 2 is when 2 engines on the same side fail
Why is an engine flat rated
To give the widest possible operating range keeping within its defined structural limitations, especially in dense air. Guarantees a constant rate of thrust up until a certain temperature at which the engine can produce its maximum rated thrust
What does TCH mean
Threshold crossing height (50ft)
Difference between magenta and green grid mora
magenta above 10 000ft
