General Knowledge

Question 1

These certificates and documents must be present:

Answer 1

1. Airworthiness certificate
2. Registration
3. Weight and Balance
4. Appropriate placards

Question 2

To act as PIC, a pilot must have these things in their possession:

Answer 2

1. Pilots license
2. Medical
3. Photo I.D.

Question 3

Skipping is a form of _____.

Answer 3

Instability

Question 4

When does skipping occur?

Answer 4

Landing at excessive speeds with the nose too flat

Question 5

What effect does skipping have on a pilot?

Answer 5

It gives their body vertical “G” forces

Question 6

How does a pilot correct for skipping?

Answer 6

•Increase back pressure on the stick & add sufficient power to prevent the floats from contacting the water.

Then:

• Establish the proper pitch attitude and power and let the seaplane settle back onto the water, OR
• Go around

Question 7

Proposing is a ___ and ____ rocking motion

Answer 7

Forward and aft

Question 8

Define porpoising:

Answer 8

A rhythmic pitching motion caused by dynamic instability in forces along the float bottoms while on step. An incorrect planning attitude sets off a cyclic oscillation that steadily increases in amplitude. Each oscillation becomes increasingly severe.

Question 9

What can happen in a seaplane, if porpoising is not corrected?

Answer 9

Nose over into the water

Question 10

3 Main causes of porpoising:

Answer 10

1. Improper pitch (nose too high or low)
2. Center of Gravity out of limits (due to improper loading, flooded forward or aft float compartments
3. Waves (seaplanes, boats, large rogue waves)

Question 11

How to correct porpoising:

Answer 11

• Apply back pressure on the elevator to stop a nose-low planning attitude. If the porpoise continues,
• Reduce power to idle and hold the elevator control back until the seaplane settles back into the displacement attitude.

Question 12

Define Center of Buoyancy

Answer 12

The average point of buoyancy in floating objects.

Question 13

What happens if weight is added above the center of buoyancy point?

Answer 13

The floating object will sit deeper in the water in a respective attitude.

Question 14

Define displacement position

Answer 14

The attitude of a seaplane when it’s entire weight is supported by the buoyancy on the floats, as it is when at rest or during a slow taxi.

Question 15

What is another name for displacement position?

Answer 15

Idling position.

Question 16

Resources to check if a waterway is available for a seaplane:

Answer 16

1. SPA Water Landing Directory

Others:

• Department is Natural Resources
• City or local authorities
• Federal/State/Private controlling agency of the area

Question 17

How to determine wind direction on the surface of the water:

Answer 17

Let the seaplane weathervane and reference the direction of the waves

Question 18

How to determine wind direction from the air:

Answer 18

Glassy band of slick water is on the upwind side of the lake

Question 19

Can wind streaks stand alone as wind direction indicators from the air?

Answer 19

No. They should only be used in conjunction with the glassy band.