Airplane Systems Flashcards
How does the oil temperature gauge work?
Electrically powered from the aircraft electrical system.
A sensor on the engine sends the reading to the gauge.
What are the minimum and maximum oil capacities?
Min. oil capacity = 2 quarts
Max. oil capacity = 8 quarts
What are the limitations of the VSI?
- Not accurate until the aircraft is stabilized.
- Sudden or abrupt changes in altitude will cause erroneous readings.
What are cowl flaps?
- scoop located on the engine cowling
- allows the pilot to control the operating temperature of the engine
- regulates the amount of air circulating within the engine compartment.
What type of systems are used in the prevention and elimination of airframe ice?
a. pneumatic - a deice system. Consists of inflatable boots on the leading edges of the wings and tail to breakup the ice.
b. hot air - an anti-ice system. Hot air is directed from the engine (compressor) to the leading edges of the wing.
Within what frequency band does the Comm transceivers operate?
118.0 - 136.975 MHz
What is the purpose of the manual primer?
To assist with starting the engine. It draws fuel directly from the fuel strainer and injects it directly into the cylinder intake ports.
What is the difference between a deice system and an anti-ice system?
Deice system eliminates ice that already formed.
Anti-ice system prevents formation of ice.
What does the throttle do?
Manually controls the amount of fuel/air charge entering the cylinders, which controls the engine manifold pressure.
What is “calibrated airspeed”?
Airspeed reading corrected for position and instrument errors.
What is a bus bar?
- A bus bar interfaces the electrical system with the various electrical systems -i.e. radios, lights, instruments, etc.
- Makes electrical wiring less complex.
What is “true airspeed”?
Speed of the airplane in relation to the air mass in which it is flying.
How does the oil pressure gauge work?
Direct pressure oil line from the engine to the gauge.
Where are the fuel vents located for each tank?
Below the bottom of each wing.
Which instruments contain gyroscopes?
Turn coordinator, heading indicator, and the attitude indicator.
What sources power the gyroscopic instruments in the airplane?
Attitude indicator - vacuum
Heading indicator - vacuum
Turn coordinator - electrical
What error is the heading indicator subject to?
Because of precession, caused by friction, the heading indicator will drift from a heading to which it is set. The indicator may indicate as much a 15 degrees of error per hour.
What are the two fundamental properties of a gyroscope?
Rigidity in space, and precession
What are two main advantages of a dual ignition system?
a. increased safety - if one magneto system fails the engine may be operated on the other until landing.
b. better engine performance due to more complete and even combustion of the mixture.
When is the auxiliary (electric) fuel pump used?
When recommended by the POH
Takeoff
Landing
When switching tanks
If the fuel pressure falls below a minimum value (out of the green)
How does the heading indicator operate?
Using the principle of rigidity in space the rotor turns in a vertical plane. The airplane revolves around the vertical axis and the compass card shows heading information.
What does the ammeter indicate?
Electrical load placed on the system.
Just master switch on = the ammeter will indicate the charging rate of the battery.
As equipment is turned on the ammeter will indicate the total amp draw of all loads on the electrical system, including the battery.
What is “density altitude”?
Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature variation. Impacts the aircraft’s takeoff, climb and landing performance.
What is the red line on the airspeed gauge?
Vne , Maximum operating speed.
How does the altimeter work?
Aneroid wafers inside the altimeter expand and contract as atmospheric pressure changes.
Are the fuel quantity indicator accurate?
Certification only requires the gauges to be accurate when the tanks are empty. Any reading other than empty should be verified.
Discuss fixed pitch propellers. What are the 2 types?
Climb propeller - has lower pitch, and therefore less drag. Which results in higher rpm and more horsepower being made by the engine. Increases performance for takeoffs and climbs.
Cruise propeller - has a higher pitch, therefore more drag. Results in lower rpm and less horsepower. Increases efficiency for cruise flight.
What are the limitations of the airspeed indicator?
It needs proper flow of air into the pitot static system.
The airspeed indicator is subject to what errors?
Position error - the slipstream causing disturbances at the static port preventing the atmospheric pressure from being read.
Density error - Changes in altitude and temperature are not compensated for in the instrument.
Compressibility error - caused by the packing of air into the pitot tube at high speeds, resulting in higher than normal indications.
The attitude indicator is subject to what errors?
Slight nose up indication during rapid acceleration, slight nose down indication during rapid deceleration.
May get a slight pitch and bank angle error after a 180 degree turn, which should correct itself within a minute or so.
What are some examples of different fuel grades available?
80 - red
100 - Green
100LL - Blue
Turbine - Clear
Briefly describe the engine oil system.
Aircraft engine lubrication and oil for propeller governor operation is supplied from a sump on the bottom of the engine. Oil sump capacity is 8 quarts.
What is Vx?
Best angle of climb speed (63 kts)
What is the white arc on the airspeed gauge?
Flap operating range
What are the minimum and maximum oil temperatures and pressures?
Oil temperature - 75 to 245 °F
Oil pressure - 25 to 100 psi
What are the limitations of the heading indicator?
The instrument may tumble after reaching more than 55 degrees of pitch or bank rendering it unusable until it is reset.
How does the vacuum system operate?
Air is sucked through a filter, then through the vacuum instruments (attitude and heading indicator), through the pump and then overboard. A relief valve regulates the pressure.
How does the turn coordinator operate?
It uses precession to indicate direction and approximate rate of turn. The slip/skid indicator is a liquid filled tube with a ball that reacts to centrifugal force and gravity.
How does the Vertical Speed Indicator work?
Pressure differential with a calibrated leak.
How do you determine indicated altitude?
Read it directly from the altimeter (set with current altimeter setting)
How is the fuel quantity measured?
With a float type transmitter and one electric fuel quantity indicator for each tank.
What information does the turn coordinator provide?
Yaw and roll of the aircraft around the vertical and longitudinal axis.
The miniature airplane indicates direction of turn as well as rate of turn. When aligned with the turn index, it represents a standard rate turn of 3 degrees per second.
The inclinometer of the coordination of aileron and rudder. The ball indicates whether the airplane is in coordinated flight or is in a slip or skid.
What is “true altitude”?
The aircrafts height above sea level (MSL).
Discuss variable pitch propellers (constant speed)
A constant speed propeller is capable of adjusting its blade angle to maintain a constant engine speed. For example, if engine rpm increases as a result of a decreased load on the engine (descent), the system automatically increases the propeller blade angle until rpm and returned to the selected speed.
How are the circuits for the various electrical accessories within the aircraft protected?
Most of the electrical circuits are protected from an amperage overload by either a circuit breaker or fuse.
In a constant speed prop airplane, what would the desired propeller setting be for maximum performance situations such as takeoff?
Low pitch and high rpm setting produces maximum power and thrust.
The low blade angle allows the highest rpm and produce the maximum amount of fuel into energy.
What does the mixture control do?
It regulates the fuel to air ratio. Its purpose is to prevent the mixture from becoming too rich at high altitudes due to decreasing air density. Leaning the mixture during cross country flights conserves fuel and provides optimum power.
The electrical system provides power for what equipment in the airplane?
a. radios
b. turn coordinator
c. fuel gauges
d. pitot heat
e. landing light
f. exterior lights
g. interior lights
h. oil temperature gauge
I. accessory power
What is the purpose of the fuel tank vents?
The vents provide a way for air to replace the fuel as it is consumed.
How does the engine tachometer work?
Through an engine drive mechanical connection.
What is Vle?
Maximum gear extension speed
What function does the avionics power switch have?
It controls power from the primary bus to the avionics bus. Allows the ability to isolate the avionics from the power. Also, if an overload occurs, the switch will act like a circuit breaker.
What type of trim systems are in the airplane?
Both rudder and elevator trim are equipped in the airplane, both manually actuated.
How does the cylinder head temperature gauge work?
Electrically. A sensor on the engine sends the reading to the gauge.
Within what frequency band does the VOR receiver operate?
108.0 - 117.95 MHz
How does the fuel pressure gauge work?
Electrically. A sensor sends the fuel pressure signal to the gauge. Indicates pressure to the carburetor.
Can any kind of oxygen be used for aviator’s breathing oxygen?
No. standard medical purpose oxygen should not be used because it may contain too much water. The water could condense and freeze in the oxygen lines when flying at high altitude.
A pressure altimeter is subject to what limitations?
Non-standard pressure and temperature variations.
What limitations does the magnetic compass have?
The float in the compass can rotate and tilt up to approximately 18 degrees of bank. At steeper angles the compass indications are erratic and unpredictable.
What are static discharger wicks?
Wire wicks on the trailing edges of the control surfaces to reduce radio receiver interference caused by corona discharge.
What is the green arc on the airspeed gauge?
Normal operating range
How are the flight controls operated?
Manually actuated through rods and cables. Control wheel actuates the ailerons and elevator, rudder pedals accurate the rudder.
What are some advantages of fuel injection?
a. Reduction in evaporative icing
b. Better fuel flow
c. Faster throttle response
d. Precise control of mixture
e. Better fuel distribution
f. Easier cold weather starts
What is Va speed?
Maneuvering speed
What is “indicated airspeed”?
Speed of the airplane read directly from the airspeed gauge.
How does the magnetic compass card work?
Magnetized needles are attached to a float assembly around which is mounted a compass card. The needles align themselves parallel to the earths magnetic field. The float assembly is housed in a bowl filled with kerosene.
How does the attitude indicator work?
The gyro is mounted on a horizontal plane and depends on rigidity in space for operation. The fixed gyro remains in a horizontal plane as the airplane is pitched and banked about its axis, indicating the attitude of the airplane relative to the horizon.
What will the turn indicator indicate when the aircraft is in a skidding or a slipping turn?
Skid - the ball will be to the outside of the turn; too much rate of turn to the amount of bank.
Slip - the ball will be on the inside of the turn; not enough rate of turn for the amount of bank.
How does aircraft pressurization work?
Air is pumped into the cabin continuously which produces a higher air pressure inside of the cabin than the ambient pressure outside. Air is released from the fuselage by an outflow valve which regulates the cabin pressure.
What is the yellow arc on the airspeed gauge?
Caution range (smooth air only)
How does the carburetor heat system work?
A carburetor heat valve, controlled by the pilot, allows unfiltered, heated air from a shroud located around an exhaust riser or muffler to be directed to the induction air manifold prior to the carburetor. Carb heat should be used anytime suspected or known carburetor icing conditions exist.
How does the airspeed indicator work?
It measures the difference between the impact pressure at the pitot head and the atmospheric pressure at the static source.
How do you determine pressure altitude?
Read from the altimeter with a pressure setting of 29.92”.
What does the carburetor do?
It vaporizes liquid fuel and mixes it with air. It also measures the airflow and meters fuel accordingly.
How is steering on the ground accomplished?
Mechanical linkage between the rudder pedals and the nose wheel.
How does the aircraft cabin heat work?
Fresh air, heated by an exhaust shroud, is directed to the cabin through ducting.
Where is the battery located?
Through the baggage compartment, just aft of the baggage compartment.
What does the prop control do?
It regulates the propeller pitch and engine rpm for a given flight condition. The prop control adjusts a propeller governor which establishes and maintains the prop speed, which in turn maintains the engine speed.
Define the term service ceiling.
The height above sea level beyond which the aircraft’s maximum rate of climb would be no more than 100 feet per minute. Service ceiling may be found in the POH.
What function does the voltage regulator have?
It controls the rate of charge to the battery by stabilizing the alternator output. The voltage output is usually slightly higher than the battery voltage. For example, a 12 volt battery is fed by an alternator regulated at 14 volts.
Can other types of fuel be used if the specified grade is not available?
May be possible to use a higher grade of fuel (need to consult the manufactures documentation), however you should never use a lower grade.
What are the limits of an attitude indicator?
Banking limits - around 100 degrees
Pitch limits - usually around 60 - 70 degrees.
If either limit is exceeded the instrument will tumble or spill giving incorrect indications until reset.
Specific limits depend on the instrument.
How is the landing gear extended and retracted?
An electrically driven hydraulic pump provides pressure to a hydraulic actuator which enables landing gear extension and retraction. A pressure switch starts and stops the pump and the direction of flow is controlled by the landing gear lever.
What types of systems are used in the prevention and elimination of windshield ice?
a. fluid - pump sprays alcohol onto the windshield to prevent the formation of ice.
b. electrical - heating elements embedded in the windshield heat it preventing the formation of ice.
What are the landing gear tire pressures?
24 psi on the main tires, 30 psi on the nose wheel.
How does the pilot control temperature in the cabin?
By mixing outside air with heated air in a manifold near the firewall.
What is Vy?
Best rate of climb speed (79 kts)
What is “absolute altitude”?
Aircrafts vertical distance above the terrain.
What is fuel injection?
Fuel injection replaces a carburetor by injecting the fuel directly into the cylinders or just ahead of the intake valves.
What are the various compass errors?
D: Deviation - which is interference caused by airplane instruments.
V: Variation - the difference between true north and magnetic north.
M: Magnetic dip - occurs close to North & South poles.
O: Oscillation - caused by external factors like turbulence or rapid aircraft movements.
N: Northerly turning errors - compensated for using the acronym UNOS.
A: Acceleration/Deceleration errors - compensated for using the acronym ANDS.
What operational advantages are there in flying pressurized aircraft?
a. allows aircraft to fly higher which results in better fuel economy, higher speeds, and better weather avoidance.
b. prevents rapid changes of cabin altitude which may be uncomfortable or injurious to passengers and crew.
c. permits a reasonably fast exchange of air from inside to outside of the cabin, which helps eliminate odors and to remove stale air.
What are flaps, and what is their function?
Movable panels on the inboard trailing edges of the wings which extend downward into the flow of air beneath the wings to increase both lift and drag. Their purpose is to permit a slower airspeed and a steeper angle of decent during landing.
What instruments operate from the pitot/static system?
Altimeter
Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
Airspeed Indicator
How does the manifold pressure gauge work?
Direct reading of air pressure on the induction side of the air manifold, show in inchs of mercury.
What is a “pressurized” aircraft?
In a “pressurized” aircraft, the cabin, flight compartment, and baggage compartments are a sealed unit which is capable of containing air under a pressure higher than outside atmospheric pressure.
