AV02 Basic Aircraft Operations Flashcards
Newton’s Third Law of Motion
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
What are the four forces that act on an aircraft in flight?
Thrust, drag, lift and weight
Centre of pressure
The point on the wing through which the lift acts.
Which four factors can change the amount of lift?
- The shape and area of the airfoil
- the aircraft’s speed through the atmosphere
- air density
- the angle of attack
Angle of attack
The angle that the chord of the wing makes with the relative wind.
At what angle can you expect the wing to stall?
15-18 degrees
Stall
When even airflow over the wing is disrupted and breaks away, destroying lift.
What are the two types of drag?
Parasitic and induced
Parasitic drag
Drag of all those parts of an aircraft that do not produce lift such as landing gear, fuselage, antennas, struts.
What are the two components of parasitic drag?
Form drag:created by the form or shape of a body as it resists motion through the air
Skin friction:the tendency of the air flowing over a body to cling to its surface
Induced drag
Caused by those parts of an airplane which are active in producing lift.
Explain how wing tip vortices are caused
The air flowing over the wing flows in toward the fuselage and the air under the wing flows out away from the fuselage to an area of less pressure. The two air flows meet at the trailing edge resulting in eddies and vortices at the wing tips. Eddies from the left wing tip flow clockwise and from the right flow counter clockwise when viewed from behind.
Longitudinal Axis
Extending from the nose to the tail of the aircraft. Motion around this axis is roll. (Produced by ailerons)
Lateral Axis
Extending from wing tip to wing tip. Motion around this axis is pitch. (Produced by elevators)
Vertical Axis
Passes through the centre of gravity. Motion around this axis is yaw. (Produced by the rudder)
Trim tabs
Adjustable devices located on the trailing edge of the ailerons, elevators, and rudders to allow the pilot to maintain the desired attitude without applying constant pressure to the control column or pedals.
Flaps
Control devices situated along the trailing edge of the wing to change the shape of the wing to increase lift.
Speed brakes
Hinged doors, normally located at the rear of the fuselage, that extend to create drag and reduce speed.
Slats/slots
Smooth the flow of air over the wing. Slots are built into the wing just behind the leading edge and slats are fitted into the leading edge of the wing.
Spoilers
Devices fitted into the top of the wing to destroy airflow. Used to decrease airspeed or increase rate of descent.
List the 7 factors that affect aircraft performance
- Wind
- Temperature
- AC load
- Speed limit
- Company limitations
- Pilot proficiency
- Runway conditions and gradient.
State the four atmospheric ICAO standards
- Perfectly dry air
- MSL pressure of 29.92
- MSL temperature of 15 degrees Celsius
- Temperature lapse of 1.98 degrees Celsius/1000ft
What are the effects on take off, landing, approach, and climbing with regards to temperature?
If the air is warmer, more runway is needed for take off and landing, approach is faster, and the rate of climb is less.
What are the effects on take off, landing, approach, and climbing with regards to pressure?
If the pressure is lower, more runway is needed for take off and landing, approach is faster, and the rate of climb is less.
What is the speed limit under 10,000ft ASL?
250knots
What is the speed limit under 3000ft AGL within 10NM of a controlled aerodrome?
200knots
What are the exceptions to airspeed limitations?
- The AC is being operated in accordance with a special flight operations certificate
- The minimum safe airspeed for the AC is greater than said airspeed limitation
What are the two methods used to slow airspeed and descend?
- Reduce power, maintain altitude so that the airspeed is reduced and the AC descends
- Reduce power and push the nose down so that the airspeed is maintained and the AC descends
When is maximum rate of climb usually achieved?
Within the first 500 feet of climb.
IAS
Indicated Air Speed: The uncorrected speed of the AC read from the airspeed indicator.
TAS
True Airspeed: calibrated airspeed corrected for error due to temperature and density.