Fundamentals Of Flight

Question 0

Acceleration

Answer 0

Rate of change of speed and or velocity of matter with time.

Question 1

What is motion?

Answer 1

The act, or process, of changing place or position; motion is movement.

Question 2

Speed

Answer 2

Rate of movement in terms of distance measured in an allotted amount of time.

Question 3

Velocity

Answer 3

Quickness or speed of an object in a given time and direction.

Question 4

Newton’s first law

Answer 4

First law of motion, inertia, an object at rest will remain at rest, or an object in motion will continue in motion at the same speed and in the same direction, until acted upon by an outside force.

Question 5

Newton’s second law

Answer 5

Second law of motion, force, states that if an object moving with uniform speed is acted upon by an external force, the change of motion, or acceleration, will be directly proportional to the amount of force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object being moved.

Question 6

Newton’s third law

Answer 6

Third law of motion, action and reaction, states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Question 7

Bernoulli’s principle

Answer 7

When a fluid flowing through a tube reaches a constriction or narrowing of the tube, the speed of the fluid passing through the constriction is increased and its pressure decreased. The general lift of an airfoil is dependent upon the airfoils ability to create circulation in the air stream and develop the lifting pressure over the airfoil surface. As the relative wind strikes the leading edge of the airfoil, the flow of air is split. Part of the air is deflected upward and aft, and the rest is deflected down and aft. Since the upper surface of the wing has camber, or a curve, the flow over its surface is disrupted, and this causes a wavelike effect to the wing. The lower surface is relatively flat. Lift is accomplished by the difference in the airflow across the airfoil.

Question 8

What is lift?

Answer 8

The force that acts, in an upward direction, to support the aircraft in the air. It counteracts the effects of weight. Lift must be greater than or equal to weight if flight is to be sustained.

Question 9

Weight

Answer 9

The force of gravity acting downward on the aircraft and everything on the aircraft.

Question 10

Drag

Answer 10

The force that tends to hold an aircraft back. Drag is caused by the disruption of the air about the wings, fuselage or body, and all protruding objects on the aircraft. Drag resists motion.

Question 11

Thrust

Answer 11

The force developed by the aircrafts engine, and it acts in the forward direction. Thrust must be greater than or equal to the effects of drag in order for flight to begin or be sustained.

Question 12

Longitudinal axis (roll)

Answer 12

An imaginary reference line running down the center of the aircraft between the nose and the tail.

Question 13

Lateral axis (pitch)

Answer 13

An imaginary reference line running parallel to the wings.

Question 14

Vertical axis (yaw)

Answer 14

An imaginary reference line running from the top to the bottom of the aircraft.

Question 15

Fixed wing: ailerons (roll)

Answer 15

Longitudinal access

Question 16

Elevators (roll) stabs

Answer 16

Lateral axis

Question 17

Rudder (yaw)

Answer 17

Vertical axis

Question 18

Rotary cyclic stick (roll/pitch)

Answer 18

Tilts the angle of the rotor blades to give the helicopter it’s directional motion by changing direction of the lift.

Question 19

Tail rotor

Answer 19

This component counter acts torque of the main rotor by increasing or decreasing the amount of horizontal thrust the tail rotor produces, this movement is around the vertical axis.

Question 20

Leading/trailing edge flaps

Answer 20

Creates extra lift by lengthening the top section of the wing resulting in maximum lift to reduce takeoff runs and landing rollout.

Question 21

Spoiler

Answer 21

Used to decrease wing lift by destroying the smooth flow of air over the wing surfaces, this creates a more predictable landing glideslope.

Question 22

Speed brakes

Answer 22

Hinged or moveable control surfaces used for reducing the speed of aircraft.

Question 23

Slats

Answer 23

Movable control surfaces attached to the leading edge of the wing. When open, a slot is created between the slat and the wing leading edge. High energy air is introduced into the boundary layer of the top of the wing. At low airspeeds, this improves the lateral control handling characteristics, allowing the aircraft to be controlled at airspeeds below the normal landing speed. Known as boundary layer control.

Question 24

Unique flight terms: Collective

Answer 24

rotating two or more blades collectively to create lift.

Question 25

Angle of attack AOA

Answer 25

The angle at which the airfoil or fuselage meets a flow of air.

Question 26

Autorotation

Answer 26

A method of allowing a helicopter to land safely from altitude without using engine power. As a helicopter is descending in altitude the collective is lowered allowing the reverse airflow through the rotor to maintain RPM. When the helio reaches a predetermined altitude the collective pitch is increased to convert inertial energy into lift to reduce the rate of descent and cushion the landing.

Question 27

Basic aircraft hydraulic system

Answer 27

Reservoir-to hold a supply 
Pump-to provide a flow of fluid
Tubing-to transmit the fluid 
Selector valve- to direct the flow 
Actuating unit- to convert fluid pressure into useful work

Question 28

Landing gear main components

Answer 28

Shock strut assembly-absorbs the shock that otherwise would be sustained by the airframe.

Question 29

Tires

Answer 29

Allows the aircraft to roll easily and provides traction during takeoff and landing.

Question 30

Wheel brake assembly

Answer 30

Used to slow and stop the aircraft. Also used to prevent the aircraft from rolling while parked.

Question 31

Retracting and extending mechanism

Answer 31

All necessary hardware to electrically or hydraulically extend and retract the landing gear.

Question 32

Side struts and supports

Answer 32

Provides lateral strength/support for the landing gear.