Chapter 1 - Becoming a Pilot and Principles of Flight Flashcards
What are the two main points of pre-flight?
1) That all required documents are on-board
2) To ensure that the airplane is in safe condition for flight
What are the three required documents to look for during pre-flight?
1) Airworthiness certificate
2) Aircraft registration certificate
3) Airplane checklists
When walking to the airplane, what should you look for?
Fluid leaks or obvious hazards
What should you and shouldn’t you do concerning the airplane checklists?
You should be familiar with them, but you should NOT memorize them
What is the general direction of the exterior pre-flight inspection?
Left seat to tail, then counter clockwise around plane
What is the propeller arc?
The space the propeller will turn in
What does good cockpit management require?
Materials and equipment are readily available and well organized
What are the four main materials needed in the cockpit?
1) Pen/Pencil and Paper
2) Airport diagram
3) Terminal area and sectional charts
4) American Flyers flight planing form
Important seat position tip
Keep the seat position consistent, especially early in training
What is the predominant aerodynamic for for enabling an airplane to fly?
The lifting force
What are airfoils?
Structures or surfaces that are designed to generate an aerodynamic force when they interact with the air
Examples of airfoils
Wings, Propellers, Stabilizers, Helicopter blades
What are the four basic forces of flight?
1) Lift
2) Weight
3) Thrust
4) Drag
What is lift
Upward force created by an airfoil
What direction does lift act?
Perpendicular to wings
What force does lift oppose?
Weight
With regards to lift, why is air accelerated rearward and downward by the wings?
Due to the shape of the wing and its inclination or angle relative to the flight path of the airplane
What does the amount of lifting force depend on?
The weight/load of the airplane
Is there an Angle of Attack indicator in the C172?
No
What is the only reference to Angle of Attack in the C1172 and why?
As airspeed changes, the AOA changes, maintaining the same lifting force
Wings will create lift equal to weight unless what?
The critical Angle of Attack is exceeded, resulting in a stall
Are pitch and Angle of Attack the same?
No! Level pitch could be greater than any angle of attack depending on power/airspeed/flight path
What direction does weight act?
Towards the center of the earth; downward
What force does weight oppose?
Lift
What does weight encompass?
The actual weight of the aircraft and everything in it, please aerodynamic loads
What direction does thrust act?
Forward
What force does thrust oppose?
Drag
On most planes, what creates thrust?
The propeller + engine
What direction does drag act?
Rearward
What force does drag oppose?
Thrust
What factors cause drag from friction to vary?
The airspeed and angle to the relative wind
What speed produces the least amount of drag?
The Best Gliding Speed
Describe the function of the Elevator and its location
Controls pitch, located on the tail
Describe the function of the Ailerons and their location
Controls roll, on wings
Describe the function of the rudder and its location
Controls yaw, located on the vertical stabilizer
What keeps the longitudinal axes aligned with the flight path?
The rudder
What direction yaw does left aileron produce?
Right yaw
What direction yaw does right aileron produce?
Left yaw
Together, what do the elevator, ailerons, and rudder control?
The plan’s attitude
How should you think with regards to control?
Pressure; not resulting movement
Describe pitch
Movement about the lateral, or Y, axis
Describe Roll
Movement about the longitudinal, or x, axis
Describe yaw
Movement about the vertical, or z, axis
What is attitude?
The position of the nose and wings in relation to the horizon
What is the purpose of Trim?
To relieve control pressure and reduce pilot fatigue
What do you need to do when changing bank attitude?
Use rudder to control adverse yaw
What is the result of lowering flaps?
Lowering flaps may cause an increase in camber, wing area, and drag
What does more camber and wing area produce?
The same lift at a lower airspeed
What is camber?
The camber of an airfoil is the characteristic curve of its upper and lower surfaces
Should you extend flaps at high speeds?
No, you may damage them
Vfe
The maximum flaps extended speed
For the C172, what is Vfe and how is it noted?
85 KIAS, the end of the white arc on the ASI
How can you find the stall speed with flaps extended?
The low end of the white arc on the ASI
What instrument measures power?
The tachometer, read in rpm
Why do you need to be aware what is behind the airplane when starting the engine?
Propeller wash
How do you clear the propeller arc when starting the engine?
Turn on the rotating beacon, then yell “CLEAR” while looking outside the plan (not at the checklists/charts)
How long should it take the engine to start while cranking?
10-15 seconds of cranking
What is the most important gauge to check while starting the engine?
Oil pressure
What is the color indication for Mandatory markings?
Red background, white numbers
What is the color indication for Location markings?
Yellow boarders, black background, yellow numbers/letters
What is the color indication for Direction markings?
Black boarders, yellow backgrounds, black numbers/letters
What color is the runway centerline?
White
What does the runway number denote?
The magnetic heading while facing down the runway, rounded to the nearest 10 degrees with the trailing 0 dropped
What color marks an unusable surface?
Yellow
What do displaced thresholds indicate?
The usable portion of the paved surface
What do arrows on the runway indicate?
An area usable for taxi and takeoff, but not for landing
What color denotes an overrun/stopway?
Yellow chevrons
What symbol denotes a closed runway?
White X
What symbol denotes a closed taxiway?
Yellow X
What color is the taxiway centerline?
Yellow
What color/pattern is a hold short line?
Double solid and double dashed yellow lines
What does a hold-short line indicate?
The intersection of a taxiway and a runway
What is a hot spot?
A location on an airport movement area with a history of potential risk or runway incursion
What is necessary around hot spots?
Heightened attention
How are Hot Spots marked on airport diagrams?
“HS 1,” “HS 6,” etc with detailed info listed
What are the main things you mention to ground control when requesting taxi clearance?
Full N Number, where you are, what you want to do, and that you have ATIS information (if available)
What light do you not turn on while taxiing?
Strobe lights
Does ATC expect you to taxi immediately after requesting clearance?
Yes! Do not delay, but if you need more time, notify ATC
How does a positive transfer of controls work?
Call/respond; You have flight controls –> I have flight controls –> You have flight controls
How do you test the toe breaks before taxiing?
Release the parking break, increase power until the plane moves forward, and tap toe breaks until stopped
How do you control the taxi?
With power and breaks
What must be true before you apply any breaks?
Power must be at idle
What is differential breaking and what is it used for?
Using only one toe break at a low speed, used to make tight turns while taxiing
What do spring links in the rudder cause?
A slight delay in control response
Generally speaking, how fast should you taxi?
No faster than a brisk walk
How should the nose-wheel be oriented before coming to a stop?
Forward to avoid damage
When can you cross a mandatory threshold?
ONLY when you have specific clearance from ATC to do so
What do you need to do before contacting the tower for takeoff clearance?
Stop in the run-up area without blocking any other aircraft for the before departure checklist, then review the emergency procedures checklist
What is visual scanning and what is it used for?
Visual scanning is a deliberate process that consists of dividing the sky into 10 degree sections, then moving your eyes to each in turn to scan the sky. It’s used to compensate for the eye’s blind spots
With regards to the horizon, what is true of other traffic?
If the traffic is above the visual horizon, traffic is higher than you. If the traffic is below the visual horizon, traffic is lower than you.
What represents the most serious collision threat, which requires immediate corrective action?
When traffic appears to display no movement relative to your own aircraft
What should you consult for the recommended use of flap extension during takeoff?
The POH (flight manual)
What do you set when you taxi onto the runway for takeoff?
The Directional Gyro (DG)
How should you set the throttle lock when throttle is at full power during takeoff?
Twisted to lock
What rudder direction is needed during takeoff and why?
Propeller torque will create left yawing tendencies, so right rudder is necessary to correct
Vr
Rotation speed; the speed to begin pitching for takeoff
Vy
The best rate of climb airspeed; gains most altitude in given time possible
At max gross weight, what is Vr in the C172?
55 KIAS
At max gross weight, what is Vy in the C172?
79 KIAS
At max gross weight, what is the en-route climb airspeed in the C172?
75-85 KIAS
What are the four fundamental flight maneuvers?
Climbs, descents, turns, and straight and level flight
What is attitude flying?
Flying by means of visually establishing the airplanes attitude with reference to the natural horizon
What is the general equation for performance?
Attitude + Power = Performance
What are examples of performance indicators?
The ASI, Altimeter, and Heading indicator
What is the three step climb entry sequence?
1) Adjust pitch to just above the horizon
2) Increase power to full throttle
3) Trim after stabilized to relieve control pressure
What instruments measure climb performance?
ASI and VSI
What limits climb performance?
Energy/Power available by engine
What is the typical climb performance of most training aircraft?
~500 fpm
How are the four forces interacting during a stabilized climb?
Lift = Weight and Thrust = Drag
Besides ASI, Altimeter, etc, what must you pay attention to during a climb?
Engine performance, particularly temperature
What should you try to do if the engine overheats while climbing?
Increasing airspeed by shallowing climb angle
What should you do if the oil pressure is low during a climb?
Decrease power and land at the nearest airport
What do you do if detonation occurs during a climb?
Decrease climb angle and increase airspeed to increase cooling airflow
When V > Vy….
This is an en-route climb; gives better visibility over nose, improved engine cooling, and a higher airspeed
When should you begin to level off after completing a climb?
About 50 ft prior to the desired altitude
What is the three step sequence for leveling off from a climb sequence?
1) Lower pitch and wait for airspeed to increase to cruise
2) Reduce engine power to cruise setting
3) Trim to relieve control pressure
What is the normal descent power in the C1272?
2000 rpm
What is the three step sequence for descending?
1) Reduce power to 2000 rpm
2) Lower pitch attitude to just below the horizon
3) Trim to relieve control pressure
What is typical airport traffic pattern speed?
65-85 KIAS
What is the best glide descent speed in the C172 and what does it give you?
65 KIAS; gives the least altitude lost to greatest distance flown
What speed range are approach descents done at?
60-90 KIAS
For passenger comfort, what is the highest descent speed you should use?
500 fpm
What is the three step sequence for leveling off from a descent?
1) Increase pitch to horizon
2) Increase power to cruise setting
3) Trim to relieve control pressure
How much lead should you give to level off from a descent?
This depends on your reaction time, less than 50 ft should be adequate
What is the typical attitude performance sequence during takeoff?
Takeoff –> Vy –> 500 ft AGL –> Can reduce pitch
What type of force does turning produce?
An acceleration force due to centrifugal force
How do you start a turn?
Deflect the ailerons, add back elevator pressure, coordinate turn with rudder pedals
What are side loads indicative of during a turn?
Lack of turn coordination
As long as the ailerons are deflected, what will continue?
Roll
What should you still do after neutralizing the ailerons after establishing the bank attitude of a turn?
Keep holding elevator pressure back
How do you coordinate the stopping of a banked turn?
Use opposite aileron and rudder controls while REDUCING elevator backpressure
What does a curved flight path result in?
Increased load factor
What are the eight cardinal directions?
N: 360 Degrees NY: 45 Degrees E: 90 Degrees SE: 135 Degrees S: 180 Degrees SW: 225 Degrees W: 270 Degrees NW: 315 Degrees
What type of bank attitude should be used during a climbing turn?
Shallow
What combo of aileron + rudder is needed during a climbing left turn?
Left aileron + Right rudder
What combo of aileron + rudder is needed during a climbing right turn?
Left aileron + MORE right rudder
What is the sequence for a climbing turn?
1) Increase pitch to just above the horizon
2) Increase power to full throttle
3) Establish medium bank attitude
4) Trim to relieve control pressure
What is the sequence for a descending turn?
1) Reduce power to 2100 rpm
2) Lower pitch to just below horizon
3) Establish a medium bank attitude
4) Trim to relieve control pressure
What is the sequence for slowing airspeed?
1) Decrease power
2) Increase pitch
3) Increase power
4) Trim
What is Stability?
The airplane’s ability to return to its original flight condition after being disrupted
What is static stability?
The airplane’s initial reaction to a disturbance. Described as positive, negative, or neutral
What is dynamic stability?
The airplane’s actions over time (example of oscillations). Can also be positive, negative, or neutral
What is lateral stability?
Roll stability
What is longitudinal stability?
Pitch stability
What is directional stability?
Yaw stability
Briefly describe the post-flight inspection
Not as thorough as pre-flight, mostly just visual for any obvious leaks or issues/damage
What are communications radios used for?
Talking to ATC, other aircraft, and getting weather information
What are navigation radios used for?
Used for receiving navigation signals from the ground
What comprises the pitot system?
The pitot tube and connecting lines
What comprises the static system?
Static vent and connecting lines
What gauges does the pitot-static system operate?
ASI, VSI, Altimeter
Briefly describe the pitot-static system
The system uses a combination of devices to measure the static and dynamic air pressure
What is the only direction-seeking instrument in the plane?
The magnetic compass
How often should you compare the magnetic compass and heading indicator?
About every 15 mins
What are the gyroscopic flight instruments?
Turn coordinator, heading indicator, and attitude indicator
Which gyroscopic flight instruments are controlled by the vacuum system?
The heading indicator and Attitude indicator
Which gyroscopic flight instruments are controlled by the electric system?
The turn coordinator
What concept is pilot training built on?
The concept of fostering a pilot-in-command (PIC) mentality
What must you always have with you when flying?
Your private pilot certificate, photo ID, and medical
What recent flight experience must you have to fly with passengers?
At least 3 takeoffs and landings in previous 90 days in aircraft of the same category/class/type
What must always be part of your logbook entires?
Date, total flight time, locations flown, type and ID of aircraft
What airplane maintenance records are checked as part of pre-flight?
Air-frame/Engine/Propeller records, which are not required during flight
What are the required maintenance inspections for all aircraft?
Annual condition report and Airworthiness Directives
Aircraft Annual Condition Report
Must be done once for every 12 month period
Airworthiness Directivess (ADs)
Issued by the FAA when a crucial maintenance item must be performed. Compliance is almost always mandatory
What is an AME?
Aviation Medical Examiner, a licensed physician for completing an FAA physical
