IV. Airplane Systems Flashcards
What is the purpose of flaps?
Increase both lift and drag. Permits a slower airspeed and a steeper angle of descent during a landing approach. In some cases, they may also be used to shorten the takeoff distance (short field procedure).
What are the main types of flaps systems that are found on aircraft?
Plain flaps, split flaps, slotted flaps, and Fowler flaps.
What are some examples of leading edge lift devices?
Slots— directs high-energy air from under the wing to the airflow above the wing, accelerating upper airflow. Helps develop lift at substantially higher angles of attack.
Slats—A miniature airfoil mounted on the leading edge of a wing.
What instruments operate from the pitot/static system?
Altimeter, vertical speed indicator, and airspeed indicator.
What is the alternate static system used for?
In the event of an external static port blockage.
Alternate source is inside the cabin of the aircraft and will measure a higher pressure than the actual outside air pressure.
What are some limitations that affect a pressure altimeter?
a. Non-Standard Temperature
b. Non-Standard Pressure
* Remember: High to low or hot to cold, look out below!
Define “indicated altitude.”
The altitude read directly from the altimeter after it is set to the current altimeter setting.
Define “pressure altitude”.
The height above the standard datum plane indicated when the altimeter setting window is adjusted to 29.92.
We use it to compute density altitude, true altitude, true airspeed.
Define “true altitude”.
The true vertical distance of the aircraft above sea level. Airport, terrain, and obstacle elevations found on aeronautical charts are true altitudes.
Define “density altitude”.
Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature variations.
The altitude the airplane feels like it’s flying at.
Directly related to an aircraft’s takeoff, climb, and landing performance.
How does the airspeed indicator operate?
Measures the difference between impact pressure from the pitot head and undisturbed atmospheric pressure from the static source.
Define “true airspeed.”
True airspeed (TAS)—CAS corrected for altitude and nonstandard temperature.
What are the two fundamental properties of a gyroscope?
Rigidity in space—A gyroscope remains in a fixed position in the plane in which it is spinning.
Precession—The tilting or turning of a gyro in response to a deflective force. The reaction to this force does not occur at the point where it was applied; it occurs at a point 90° later in the direction of rotation.
What are the various magnetic compass errors?
Remember acronym “VD-MONA”:
Variation
deviation (electric disturbance)
magnetic dip
osscilation
northerly turning error
acceleration/deceleration errors
What will the manifold pressure gauge indicate when the engine isn’t running? After starting, what will it indicate?
When the engine isn’t running, the manifold pressure gauge will indicate ambient atmospheric pressure.
During normal operation, the manifold pressure gauge will indicate the pressure in the intake manifold, which is created by the engine’s intake stroke. This pressure varies based on the engine’s power settings and throttle position.
For example, during idle or low-power settings, the manifold pressure will be relatively low, indicating a lower pressure in the intake manifold.
During high-power settings, such as takeoff or climbing, the manifold pressure will increase as more air is drawn into the engine.
