Chapter 2 - Basic Operations, Slow Flight, Imminent Stalls, and Airplane Systems Flashcards
What is important to do during climbs and descents?
Make shallow turns to clear the area visually of traffic along the flight path
What are clearing turns?
Turns of at least 90 degrees that you perform before maneuvers that will distract you from your normal traffic scan
What does “right of way” mean?
That a pilot must give way to that aircraft and may not pass over, under or ahead of it unless well clear
In what situation does an aircraft have absolute right of way?
When they are in distress
When aircraft of the same category are converging, who has the right of way?
The aircraft to the other’s right
What type of aircraft has the right of way over any other category?
A balloon
What is the order of right of way
Balloon, Glider, Airship, Aircraft towing or refueling other aircraft, aircraft
If approaching each other head-on, which direction should both aircraft alter course?
To the right
When an aircraft is being overtaken, who has the right of way?
The aircraft being overtaken; the overtaking aircraft should alter course and pass to the right
Who has the right of way between aircraft that are landing and aircraft in flight or on the surface?
Aircraft that are landing
If two aircraft are both approaching to land, who has the right of way?
The lower aircraft but they may not cut in front of, or under, another aircraft to gain this advantage
What is wake turbulence?
Disturbances to the air created by wingtip vortices of airplanes
When does the greatest wing vortex strength occur?
When the aircraft is heavy, clean, and slow
When does an aircraft create wing vortices?
Only when an aircraft is developing lift
What direction do wingtip vortices tend to travel?
They tend to sink below the aircraft creating them
Where would you usually expect to find wake turbulence?
Below and behind an aircraft’s flight path.
How do you avoid wake turbulence when departing behind a heavy aircraft?
Fly flying above and upwind (to the side) of the heavy aircraft’s flight path
How do you avoid wake turbulence when landing behind a heavy aircraft?
Stay above the heavy aircraft’s final approach path and land beyond the large aircraft’s touchdown point
What type of wind condition requires the most caution when avoiding wake turbulence during a landing?
A light, quartering tailwind
If you must taxi behind a jet, what direction should you keep the plane pointed?
Directly at the rear of the jet
How can you use the controls to counteract jet blast?
Use them as you would when operating in any crosswind condition
What information MUST be included (but is not limited to) in preparation before beginning a flight?
Weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed, runway lengths, and the takeoff and landing distances info for the existing conditions using the POH
What certificates and documents must be on board prior to a flight?
Airworthiness Certificate, Aircraft Registration, Operating Limitations, Weight and Balance data, Equipment List, Checklists
What is usually found in the pilot’s left kick panel on the C172?
Airworthiness Certificate, Aircraft Registration, Checklists
What is usually found in a three ring binder kept in the pilot’s back seat back pocket?
POH w/ operating limits, equipment list, and weight and balance data
Why is it important to determine the plane’s center of gravity/balance?
It is important in determining the stability, and therefore flight characteristics, of the plane
What is the issue with an overweight airplane?
It cannot achieve the level of performance published in the POH
What can you not be sure of if your airplane isn’t loaded within approved limits?
You cannot be sure that it will perform as expected
Where is current weight and balance info available?
Section 6 of the POH
What does “R” designate on the equipment list?
Required items for FAA certification
What does “S” designate on the equipment list?
Standard equipment items
What does “O” designate on the equipment list?
Optional equipment items replacing required or standard items
What does “A” designate on the equipment list?
Optional equipment items which are in addition to required or standard items
Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)
Specific to an airplane and is required to be on board for flight, contains important information
What federal regulation requires PICs of civil aircraft to determine airworthiness?
Part 91
Who is responsible for determining the airworthiness of an aircraft before a flight?
The Pilot in Command
What is “Arm” with reference to weight and balance?
The horizontal distance from the reference datum to the center of gravity of an item.
What is the “Arm” also referred to with reference to weight and balance?
The station
What is “Datum/Reference Datum” with reference to weight and balance?
An arbitrary vertical plane or line, established by the manufacturer, from which all measurements of arm and Center of Gravity (CG) are taken
What is “Empty Weight” with reference to weight and balance for the C172?
The total weight of the airframe, engine, and all items of operating equipment that have fixed locations and are permanently installed in the airplane. This also includes hydraulic fluid, unusable fuel, and full oil
What is “Center of Gravity” with reference to weight and balance?
The point about which an airplane would balance if it were suspended at that point. It is expressed in inches from the reference datum.
What is “Center of Gravity Limits” with reference to weight and balance?
The specified forward and aft points within which the Center of Gravity must be located during airplane operations
What is “Moment” with reference to weight and balance?
The product of the weight of an item multiplied by its arm, expressed in inch-lbs. Think of this as a force, and the arm as a lever.
What is “Moment Index” with reference to weight and balance?
A moment divided by a constant (1,000, 100, etc). It simplifies weight and balance computations where heavy items and long arms cause large, unmanageable numbers.
What is “Standard weights” with reference to weight and balance?
Constants that exist for many items involved in weight and balance computations
What are some examples of standard weights?
Aviation Gas - 6 lb/US Gallon, Oil - 7.5 Lb/US Gallon
For student pilot training, what is considered a “local flight?”
Within 50 NM of the departure airport
What type of weather briefing should be obtained prior to departure of any flight?
Standard Briefing
What are considered “adverse conditions” in a standard briefing?
Significant information that might influence you to alter or cancel the flight (ex. hazardous conditions, airport closures, etc).
What is the phrased used by a weather briefer to describe the conditions when VFR flight would be doubtful?
VFR Not Recommended
Who ultimately decides weather or not weather conditions are safe for flight?
The pilot in command
What is the “synopsis” of a standard weather briefing?
A brief statement describing the type, location, and movement of weather system and/or air masses which might affect the propose flight
What is included in the “current conditions” part of a standard weather briefing?
A summary from all available sources (METARs/SPECIs, PIREPS, RAREPs) for flights departing within 2 hours
What is included in the “en route forecast” part of a standard weather briefing?
A summary, in logical order (departure/climbout, en route, and descent)
What is included in the “Destination Forecast” part of a standard weather briefing?
Destination forecast for the planned ETA
What is included in the “winds aloft” part of a standard weather briefing?
Provided using degrees of the compass, provides expected wind conditions at planned altitudes (height in MSL). Temperature information will be provided upon request.
What is included in the “Notices to Airmen (NOTAM)” part of a standard briefing?
Information pertinent to the proposed flight about Special Use Airspace (SUA), NOTAMs for restricted areas, aerial refueling, etc
What is included in the “ATC Delays” part of a standard weather briefing?
Any known ATC delays and flow control advisories which may affect the proposed flight
Briefly describe an Abbreviated Weather Briefing
A Shortened version of the standard briefing that should be requested when a departure has been delayed or when weather info is needed to update the previous briefing.
Briefly describe an Outlook weather briefing
Should be requested when a planned departure is six hours or more away. Limited in scope, but a good source of flight planning info
Briefly describe ATIS
A repeating, recorded message that contains weather info, wind direction and velocity, altimeter setting, runway in use, etc. It has a phonetic alphabet code word that should be repeated back to ATC.
Where can you find ATIS frequencies?
It’s published on aeronautical charts and in the Chart Supplement
How should you position your controls during taxi if you have a wind coming from the front?
Elevator neutral, ailerons in up position on windward wing (turn into the wind)
How should you position your controls during taxi if you have a tailwind?
Elevator down, ailerons in the down position on the windward side (turn away from the wind)
What is the maximum wind speed for American Flyers flight operations?
30 Knots
What is the Critical Angle of Attack?
The point at which a wing will no longer produce lift equal to weight
What is the typical approximate critical angle of attack?
18-20 degrees
What is the certified stall speed in the C172R with flaps up?
Vs1, 44 KIAS
What is the certified stall speed in the C172R with flaps down?
Vs0, 33 KIAS
Vs1
Stall speed with flaps up
Vs0
Stall speed with flaps extended
Does air density have any affect on indicated stall speed?
No
How is a full stall identified typically?
A sudden dropping of the nose of the airplane
When do you initiate stall recovery procedures during normal flight?
When the stall warning activates or a stall is encountered
How will the flight controls feel when approaching critical angle of attack, and why?
Mushy due to disrupted airflow over the upper surface of the wing
How is it possible that a stall can occur at any indicated airspeed or any attitude?
During a turn, the increased load factor or “wing load” can cause the plane to reach the critical AOA
What is torque reaction?
The tendency of the aircraft to rotate counterclockwise in reaction the clockwise rotation of the engine and propeller. This must be counteracted with aileron pressure during takeoff
What is the Corkscrew effect?
Created by the rotating air being pushed aft by the propeller. The rotating air catches on the elevator and causes a left yaw.
What is the Corkscrew effect also known as?
Spiraling Slipstream
What is the P-factor?
Due to asymmetric propeller loading due to the clockwise rotation of the propeller; also produces left yaw
What is typically the pattern altitude?
1,000 ft AGL
At uncontrolled airports, what is the procedure for exiting the normal traffic pattern after takeoff?
Climb to 1,000 ft AGL then turn 45 degrees away from pattern
What are clearing turns an important part of?
Effective collision avoidance before performing maneuvers which distract from your normal traffic scans.
L/DMAX
Lift to Drag Max speed
L/DMAX in C172
65 KIAS
What happens to drag below L/DMAX?
It increases, resulting in needing increased power to overcome drag, meaning you need to increase power to go slower
What is it called when you’re flying below L/DMax?
Flying in the area of Reversed Command
What does load refer to?
The weight that must be supported by the airplane’s wings
At what angle bank does the centrifugal force equal the weight of the entire airplane?
60 degrees
What is the multiplier that increases the weight on the wings during turns?
The load factor
What are load factors also referred to as?
G-Forces
What is the maximum allowed load factor and bank angle for a typical small airplane?
3.8 and 75 degrees
What happens to the stall speed as load factor increases?
Stall speed increases
What is the general procedure for recovering from a stall?
1) Relieve some backpressure on elevator
2) Allow the nose to lower slightly
3) To minimize altitude loss, bring the pitch attitude up to the horizon and slowly add full power
Va
Design Maneuvering Speed; the maximum speed that the airplane can be safely stalled. It is also the max speed at which full or abrupt control movements can be used without over stressing the airframe
What is the calculation for finding Va?
1.7 x Normal stalling speed
Does Va depend on gross weight?
Yes; as gross weight increases so does Va and vice-versa
What is the range for Va (depending on gross weight) in the C172R?
~85-100 KIAS
What is it wise to do in extremely rough turbulence due to Va?
Reduce speed to below Va to prevent excessive loads on the air-frame
What factors determine the amount of load that can be imposed on the wings during flight?
The gross weight and how fast the plane is flying
What is the general layout of a “steep turn” procedure?
Maintain level flight path and do 360 degree turn at 45 degree bank to produce a 1.5 load factor/g-force
What happens to the roll stability past 30 degrees bank approx?
Negative stability; it wants to keep rolling
What is the POH recommended steep turn speed?
95 KIAS
What is the general procedure for entering a steep turn?
1) Clear the area
2) Altitude at least 2,000 ft AGL
3) Pick a prominent landmark for entry heading
4) Pick a point about 30 degrees before entry heading landmark for rollout
5) Adjust speed using slow-down procedure to 95 KIAs level trimmed flight
6) Roll into 45 degree turn, use rudder and back pressure as needed
7) Begin roll-out about 30 degrees before entry heading
In the C172R engine, how many cylinders are there?
Four; two on each side facing away from each other
What type of engine opposition does the C172R have?
Horizontally opposed
What is the goal of a steep turn?
To maintain a level flight path at 45 degrees of bank for 360 degrees of turn
What main functions do the engine oil provide?
Cooling and lubrication