Airplane Instrument, Engines and Systems

Question 1

What is the instrument that is checked while preflighting?

Answer 1

Compass

Question 2

When does the magnetic compass give a reliable indication?

Answer 2

In straight and level unaccelerated flight

Question 3

When does the magnetic compass indicate a turn to the north?

Answer 3

When accelerating on a east or west heading

Question 4

When does the magnetic compass indicate a turn to the south?

Answer 4

When decelerating on a east or west heading

Question 5

During your preflight inspection, you find the pitot tube blocked. What instrument(s) would be affected by this?

Answer 5

The airspeed indicator.

Question 6

What instruments would be affected by a loss of vacuum?

Answer 6

Heading indicator and attitude

Question 7

What should the vacuum gauge read under normal circumstances?

Answer 7

PA-28-181: 4.8 to 5.2

Question 8

What instruments would be affected if your static sources were blocked?

Answer 8

Vertical Speed indicator and altitude indicator

Question 9

What would cause your attitude indicator and heading indicator to fail?

Answer 9

Loss of vacuum

Question 10

How much power does the engine have?

Answer 10

PA-28-181: 180 BHP Lycoming O-360-A4M

Question 11

What is the total fuel capacity of the airplane?

Answer 11

PA-28-181: 50 gallons

Question 12

How much usable fuel is on board?

Answer 12

PA-28-181: 48 gallons

Question 13

What octane of fuel is used and what color is the fuel?

Answer 13

PA-28-181: 100 Low Lead; light blue

Question 14

What are you looking for when checking fuel samples?

Answer 14

Correct color to verify the correct octane and any water bubbles or other types of contamination

Question 15

How do the fuel tanks feed the engine?

Answer 15

PA-28-181:
The fuel is fed either from the left or right fuel tank as selected by the fuel selector valve in the cockpit. The fuel is pumped through the fuel strainer either by the electric, engine drive, or both fuel pumps. From there it is pumped into the carburetor where it is mixed with air and distributed to the cylinders.

Question 16

How many fuel draining locations are on the airplne?

Answer 16

PA-28-181:

3; two under each wing and 1 in the engine

Question 17

During preflight, you find a puddle of red fluid around on of the main tires, what does this indicate?

Answer 17

This is brake fluid and indicate a lead in the brake system.

Question 18

What is the oil capacity of the airplane?

Answer 18

PA-28-181: 8 quarts

Question 19

When should the oil be checked and what is the minimum amount of oil that must be in the airplane for flight?

Answer 19

PA-28-181:

The oil should be checked before each flight and have at least 6 quarts

Question 20

What should you do if you find nicks in the propeller?

Answer 20

Cancel the flight and have the blades inspected by an A&P mechanic

Question 21

How much magneto drop is allowed when running up teh engine?

Answer 21

PA-28-181: No more than 175 RPM drop on each magneto and no more than 50 RPM difference in between the two mags.

Question 22

What should you do if the oil pressure goes to zero and the temperature starts to rise rapidly?

Answer 22

Land as soon as possible and investigate cause. Prepare for power off landing

Question 23

What does it mean when after you have actuated the carburetor heat then the rpm drops and then rises on its own?

Answer 23

It means carburetor icing was present

Question 24

What is the first thing you should do if the engine begins to lose rpm and run a little rough?

Answer 24

Engage carburetor heat

Question 25

What is the first thing you should do if the engine should quit?

Answer 25

Trip for best glide speed 76 KIAS

Question 26

Where does the cabin heat come from

Answer 26

The head coming from the engine exhaust

Question 27

How much fuel does this airplane burn per hour in normal cruise?

Answer 27

PA-28-181: 9.5g/h at 65% power 117 kts

Question 28

What voltage does the electrical system have?

Answer 28

PA-28-181: 28-volt

Question 29

What should you do if your ammeter indicates an excessive rate of charge?

Answer 29

PA-28-181:
Alt switch ON
Bat switch Off
If alt load are reduced set electrical load to minimum and land as soon as practical

Else Alt switch off bat switch as required land as soon as possible. prepare for full electrical failure

Question 30

What should you do if your ammeter indicate an insufficient rate of charge?

Answer 30

PA-28-181:
Alt switch off
Check Alt breaker 
Alt switch ON
If power is not restored alt switch off 
reduce electrical load and land as soon as practical

Question 31

What should you do if your low-voltage light illuminates

Answer 31

Check Ammeter to verify inop. alt

Question 32

What is the gross weight of the airplane?

Answer 32

N168F: Empty weight 1,683.46lb + people + baggage + fuel = gross weight

Question 33

What is the empty weight of the airplane?

Answer 33

N168F: 1,683.46

Question 34

Where is the exact empty weight and the empty center of gravity found?

Answer 34

The aircraft W&B document inside the aircraft

Question 35

What is the maximum ramp weight?

Answer 35

N168F: 2558.00lb

Question 36

What is the maximum takeoff weight?

Answer 36

N168F: 2550.00lb

Question 37

What is the maximum landing weight?

Answer 37

N168F: 2550.00lb

Question 38

What is the maximum baggage weight?

Answer 38

N168F: 200lb

Question 39

What is the normal cruise RPM?

Answer 39

PA-28-181: 2,430

Question 40

What is the minimum octane that is to be used in the airplane?

Answer 40

PA-28-181: 100

Question 41

When ground handling the airplane with a towbar, how much can the nose gear be turned right or left?

Answer 41

PA-28-181: 20 degres left/right of center

Question 42

What kind of oil is used in the airplane?

Answer 42

PA-28-181:

SAE 20 - 50 depended on ambient temp.

Question 43

As density altitude increases, what happens to performance?

Answer 43

Performance decreases

Question 44

How much air pressure should be kept in the tires?

Answer 44

PA-28-181:
Nose Gear: 18 psi
Main Gear: 24 psi

Question 45

How does carburetor ice form?

Answer 45

The pressure drop in the venturi causes the air to cool and draw heat away from the surrounding metal of the carburetor venturi. Ice can then collect on the cooled carburetor throat.