Chapter 5.5 - Aeroplane Support Systems Flashcards
Name six services in an Aircraft which are powered by the Electrical System?
- All Lights.
- Radios.
- Some Flight Instruments.
- Flaps.
- Ignition/Starter System.
- Warning Systems.
Name 3 main electric-driven flight instruments?
- Turn Coordinator.
- Fuel Quantity Gauges.
- Oil Temperature Gauge.
What powers the entire Electrical System?
Alternator.
How is the Alternator powered by?
The Engine.
What is the function of the Alternator?
Convert mechanical energy from the Engine to electrical power.
What is the primary and secondary power source of an Aircraft?
- Alternator.
- Battery.
Under Normal Conditions, why should the Alternator never be switched to OFF position?
This will make the Battery carry out all electrical load.
What is the main function for the Battery?
To provide emergency power, in case the Alternator fails.
As well as providing Emergency Power for the Aircraft, what other function does a Battery provide?
Provides power to the Starter Motor to start the Engine.
When starting an Engine, after how many seconds should a Pilot switch from START to OFF, if the Engine hasn’t started and why (2)?
- 10 seconds.
- This can damage the Battery.
A prolonged higher-than-normal charge current on an Ammeter indicates what?
Internal Fault with the Battery.
If faulty battery occurs during Flight, what should a Pilot do?
Reduce the Current Load by switching OFF any unnecessary electrical equipment.
Name two types of Ammeter found in the Cockpit?
- Centre-Zero.
- Left-Zero.
What does the Centre-Zero Ammeter instrument show the Pilot?
Battery Charge/Discharge.
What does the Left-Zero Ammeter instrument show the Pilot?
Alternator Output.
A Left-Zero Ammeter is also known as?
Loadmeter.
With regards to the Ammeter, what should a Pilot look out for after starting the Engine?
Positive reading on both Centre and Left Zero Ammeter instruments.
On a Centre-Zero Ammeter, if the needle is positioned to the right side, what does this indicates?
Normal Operations.
On a Centre-Zero Ammeter, if the needle is positioned to the left side, what does this indicates?
The Battery is discharging.
What does a Continuous Battery Discharge indicates?
The Alternator is not working.
On a Left-Zero Ammeter, any positive charge indicates what?
The Alternator is working normally.
On a Left-Zero Ammeter, if the Ammeter drops to Zero, what does this indicates?
The Alternator is not working.
How can a Pilot double-check the Alternator has failed, through the Left-Zero Ammeter instrument?
By add more power usage to see if the instrument reading reflect this.
What is a Circuit Breaker?
An automatic device stopping the flow of Current in the interest of Safety.
If a Circuit Breaker pops for the 2nd time, what should a Pilot do?
Report this as the Electrical System may have a bigger problem.
How are Brakes powered in a light training Aircraft?
Use of Hydraulic-fluid.
How does the Parking Brake work?
By locking the Hydraulic-fluid in place.
What signs of impending failure of the Brakes can a Pilot detect (3)?
- Soft Pedals.
- Weak Braking Action.
- Noisy Brakes.
If a Brake Disc fails, how can a Pilot slow the plane down (2)?
- Using the other Brakes.
- Use of opposite Rudder.
What is the purpose of the Vacuum System?
To provide power source to Gyroscopic Instruments.
Name four parts to the Vacuum System?
- Vacuum Pump.
- Vacuum Suction Relief Valve.
- Vacuum System Filter.
- Suction Gauge.
What mechanical item provides the Vacuum System power?
Engine-driven Suction/Vacuum Pump.
Name two types of Engine-driven Suction/Vacuum Pumps?
- Dry Pump.
- Wet Pump.
What does a Vacuum Suction Relief Valve do?
Reduces excessive Suction.
What is the Suction Gauge?
Cockpit Instrument which indicates if enough Suction is being provided to power certain Flight Instruments.
If the Suction Gauge has a reading of Zero, what does this show?
Vacuum Pump Failure.
How can a Pilot detect if the Suction Gauge is faulty, rather than the Vacuum System?
By looking at the Attitude and/or Directional Indicator and check if the reading is the same as the flight.
How can a Pilot check the difference between a faulty Suction Gauge and a complete failure to the Vacuum System?
By Banking the Aircraft to check if Attitude and/or Directional Indicator provides the correct reading.
True or False. Under Visual Flight Rules, is it possible to continue flying an Aircraft without the Vacuum System and all Gyroscopic Flight Instruments being faulty? If so how?
True. By using reference with the horizon and magnetic compass.
What happens to the Gyroscopic Instruments if the Vacuum System has built up of Dirt?
Unreliable Readings.
The Pitot-Static System provides readings for which Flight Instruments (3)?
- Altimeter.
- Airspeed Indicator (ASI).
- Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI).
Which Flight Instrument using Dynamic Pressure to obtain it’s reading?
Airspeed Indicator.
Which Flight Instruments using Static Pressure to obtain it’s reading (2)?
- Altimeter.
- Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI).
Which Flight Instrument uses both Pitot and Static Pressure?
Airspeed Indicator (ASI).
What is Total Pressure?
Sum of Static and Dynamic Pressure.
Total Pressure is also known as what?
Pitot Pressure.
The Pitot Tube sense what kind of Pressure?
Total/Pitot Pressure.
The Static Vents sense what kind of Pressure?
Static Pressure.
Name three common blockage of the Pitot Tube?
- Pitot Tube cover.
- Dirt.
- Ice.
True or False. If the Pitot Tube were to be blocked, the Airspeed Indicator, Vertical Speed Indicator and Altimeter would be affected?
False. Only the Airspeed Indicator will be affected.
True or False. If the Static Vents were to be blocked, the Airspeed Indicator, Vertical Speed Indicator and Altimeter would be affected?
True. As Static Pressure provides readings for all three Flight Instruments.
If Static Pressure is blocked, what can the Pilot use to regain some pressure readings and where is this located (2)?
- Alternative Static Source.
- In the Cockpit.
If a Pitot Tube is blocked by Ice, what can a Pilot do to counter-act this?
Apply Pitot Tube Heater.
When is a Pitot Tube vulnerable to Icing?
With temperatures at or below 0°C and with visible moisture in the air.
