Flight Operations Flashcards
Where can parachute jumping and glider operations information be found?
In the A/FD.
What do the letters VHF/DF in the A/FD mean? How would you use it?
That the airport has a Flight Service Station with equipment with which to determine your direction from the station.
You need to have a VHF transmitter and receiver to use it.
Decode some A/FD entries.
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How do you get an Advisory Circular?
From the Government Printing Office.
What are the FAA Advisory Circular number codes for Airmen, Airspace, and Air Traffic Control and General Operations.
60, 70, 90
What are NOTAMs?
Notices to Airmen. They contain things that are important for you to know, such as runway or taxiway closures. There are two kinds:
- FDC NOTAMs, having to do with regulatory changes or changes in Instrument Approach Procedures or nautical charts.
- NOTAM D’s, having to do with airports and facilities.
How long are NOTAMs effective?
They have a very short effective period. If they are expected to remain in effect for at least 7 days, they will be published in a book called Notices to Airmen Publication (NTAP).
When should you fill the fuel tanks?
After the last flight of the day, because this will prevent moisture condensation by elimination airspace in the tanks.
What should you use if the recommended octane is not available?
The next higher octane aviation gas.
What should be the first action after starting an aircraft engine?
Adjust for proper RPM and check for desired indications on the engine gauges.
What is one purpose of the dual ignition system, besides safety?
To provide for improved engine performance.
With an electrical failure, what will normally fail?
Avionics, but not the engine.
In the event of a power failure, what is the most important rule to remember?
Immediately establish the proper glide attitude and airspeed.
If the ground wire between the magneto and the ignition switch becomes disconnected, what will be the most noticeable result?
The engine cannot be shut down by turning the switch to the OFF position.
What is the advantage of a constant speed propeller?
It permits the pilot to select the blade angle for most efficient performance.
When using a constant speed propeller, what do the propeller control and the throttle do?
The propeller control regulates engine RPM, and the throttle controls power output as registered on the manifold pressure gauge.
What is one precaution when using a constant speed propeller?
Avoid high manifold pressure settings with low RPM.
What is the basic purpose of the fuel/air mixture control?
To decrease the fuel flow in order to compensate for decreased air density.
What happens if the fuel/air mixture is too rich?
The engine runs rough.
If during runup at a high elavation airport, you notice an engine roughness that is not affected by the magneto check, but grows worse during the carburetor heat check, what should you do?
Lean the mixture.
What happens to the mixture if you fail to adjust it on descent from high altitude?
It may become excessively lean.
What is the operating principle of float-type carburetors based upon?
The difference in air pressure at the venturi throat and the air inlet.
What are conditions favorable to carburetor icing?
Between 20°F and 70°F and high humidity.
What is the first indication of carburetor ice?
A loss of RPM (if the airplane has a fixed pitch propeller).
How can you verify carburetor icing?
By applying carburetor heat and noting a decrease in RPM, and then a gradual increase in RPM (in an airplane with a fixed pitch propeller).
How does applying carburetor heat affect engine performance and fuel/air mixture?
It riches the mixture, and decreases engine performance.
Which is more susceptible to icing? Float-type carburetor systems, or fuel injection?
Float-type carburetor systems.
What can excessively high engine temperatures cause?
Loss of power, excessive oil consumption, and possible permanent internal engine damage.
What are the causes of cylinder head temperature and engine oil temperature exceeding their normal ranges?
Using fuel with lower-than-specified octane rating, operating with too much power, and/or mixture set too lean.
How can you aid in cooling an overheating engine?
Rich the mixture, reduce rate of climb, increase airspeed.
When does detonation occur in a reciprocating aircraft engine?
When the unburned charge in the cylinders explodes instead of burning normally.
What is one likely cause of detonation?
Using a grade of fuel lower than specified for the engine.
With a fixed-pitch propeller, if you suspect detonation during climb-out after takeoff, what should you do?
Lower the nose slightly to increase airspeed.
What is pre-ignition?
The uncontrolled firing of the fuel/air charge in advance of the normal spark ignition.
What are the four fundamentals in maneuvering an aircraft?
Straight and level flight, turns, descents, climbs.
When flying an emergency approach, why is it important to maintain a constant glide speed?
Because variations in glide speed can nullify accuracy in judging glide distance and landing spot.
In downwind emergency landings, what should you expect?
Faster groundspeed at touchdown, longer ground roll, and possible overshoot of touchdown point.
How should you scan for other aircraft for collision avoidance during daylight hours?
A series of short, regularly spaced eye movements to search each 10° sector.
If an aircraft is on a collision course with you, how would it appear?
There would be no apparent relative motion between your aircraft and the other aircraft.
What effect does haze have on the appearance of traffic and terrain features.
It makes them appear to be farther away.
How should you scan for other aircraft at night?
Use peripheral vision by slowly scanning small sectors and using off-center viewing.
When do most midair collisions occur?
During clear days.
When taking off from a runway intersection, what should you always do?
State your position on the airport to the controller, regardless of weather conditions.
What is hypoxia?
A state of oxygen deficiency in the blood.
What causes hyperventilation? How can you stop it?
Caused by emotional tension, anxiety, fear, or extra deep breathing while using oxygen.
Stop it by slowing breathing rate, breathing into a bag, or talking aloud.
What can large accumulations of carbon monoxide in the body do?
Result in loss of muscular power.
When does susceptibility to carbon monoxide poisoning increase?
With altitude.
What are the color indications on a tri-color VASI?
Above glide slope: amber.
On glide slope: green.
Below glide slope: red.
How are the lights arranged on a PAPI?
Four lights arranged in a row off to one side.
What’s a PLASI?
A pulsating approach slope indicator. If you’re below glide slope, it shows a single flashing red light.
How do VFR approaches to land at night differ from day?
They don’t.
How should you set pilot-controlled high intensity runway lights to medium intensity?
7 microphone clicks, then 5, all within 5 seconds.
How are taxiway edge lights identified at night?
By blue omnidirectional lights.
How can military airports be identified at night?
A beacon with two quick white flashes and a green flash.
Know these airport signs:
- Taxiway direction sign
- Taxiway destination sign
- Location sign
- Mandatory instruction sign
- No entry sign
- Runway boundary sign
- Runway/Runway hold position sign
- ILS Critical Boundary Area sign
- Outbound destination sign
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What are runway hold position markings?
Hold short line. Two solid and two dashed yellow lines.
What’s a displaced threshold?
A runway threshold at somewhere other than the physical beginning or end of the runway. You can use them for taxiing and takeoff, but not for landing. White arrows.
What’s an overrun area?
Part of a runway used in emergencies only. Indicated by yellow chevrons.
How do you taxi in a strong quartering headwind?
Hold the aileron up on the side from which the wind is blowing, and the elevator neutral (or up in tailwheel).
What is the most critical wind when taxiing a nosewheel-equipped high-wing airplane?
Quartering tailwind.
How should you taxi in a strong quartering tailwind?
Hold the aileron down on the side from which the wind is blowing, and the elevator down.
What’s LAHSO?
Land and hold short operations. An ATC procedure in which you land and hold short of an intersecting runway.
Can you decline a LAHSO clearance?
Yes. They are not mandatory.
When should ATC not issue a LAHSO clearance?
With less than basic VFR conditions: 1,000 foot celing and 3 statute miles visibility.
When planning a flight, how should you check for LAHSO procedures?
See whether the destination airport has LAHSO, in the A/FD. If it does, you’ll need to know the runway slope and how much runway is available for landing in each LAHSO runway.
What are the four fundamental risk elements in aviation?
PAVE
- Pilot
- Aircraft
- enVironment
- External pressures (the Mission)
What is the most common factor that affects most preventable accidents?
Human error.
Why do aviation problems commonly occur?
Because the pilot failed to recognize risk, or because of his attitude towards risk-taking.
Who is responsible for determining if the pilot is fit for a particular flight?
The pilot.
What are the five hazardous aviation attitudes?
- Antiauthority
- Impulsivity
- Invulnerability
- Macho
- Resignation
What is the leading cause of accidents in general aviation flying?
Continuing VFR into instrument conditions.
What is scud running?
Trying to maintain visual contact with the terrain in low ceilings and visibilities.
What is a pilot’s primary job?
Risk managament.
