Mod 1 - ACFT Flashcards
Benefits of AC Knowledge and ATS Operations
Enables safe and efficient service
Quality of service
AC Design Categories
Heavier than Air - Fixed and Rotary wing
Lighter than Air
Principle of Propulsion Catergories
Power driven AC
Non power driven AC
Operation Catergories
Landplane
Seaplane
Amphibian
Type Descriptors
L - Landplane S - Seaplane A - Amphibian H - Helicopter G - Gyrocopter T - Tiltwing
Number of Engines or C - Coupled
P - Piston
T - Turboprop
J - Jet
ICAO Type Designators
Maximum 4 characters
Individual to each AC
Unique to type and series
Used on FPs and ATS messages etc.
Group Designators
BALL GLID SHIP GYRO ULAC UHEL ZZZZ
What are the WTC?
L - MTOM 7000kg or less
M - MTOM >7000kg < 136,000kg
H - MTOM > 136,000kg
J - A380 (“Super”).
What features can be used for AC Recognition?
Engines Wing Position Tail Section Size of AC Shape of Fuselage Shape of Nose and Tailfin.
ICAO Approach Catergories
A - Less than 91 kts B - 91 kts + but less than 121 kts C - 121 kts + but less than 141 kts D - 141 kts + but less than 166 kts E - 166 kts + but less than 211 kts.
1.3 x stall speed at threshold in landing configuration at maximum certified landing mass.
AC Components - FW
Fuselage Empennage Power plant Wings Landing Gear
AC Components - RW
Fuselage Tailsection Power plant Rotor Undercarriage
How is the Weight of AC determined?
Combined mass of AC
The greater the mass, the greater the weight force.
What is Thrust?
Generated by the forward movement of the AC through the air
Thrust force provided by the AC engines.
Methods of Thrust
Props - Piston or turbo prop Aerofoil shaped and rotated by engine Subjected to the relative air flow Creates lift and horizontal direction Large air mass pushed back low speed
Jet - Small air mass compressed and ignited
Hot exhaust thrust backwards high speed.
Balance of Forces in Straight and Level Flight
Greater weight = Greater lift required
Greater lift = Greater drag
Greater drag = Greater thrust required.
What is Lift?
The force necessary to overcome the weight of heavier than air AC.
Changing shape of wing changes the properties of air which generate the required lift force.
Explain Static Pressure
Motionless
Acts equally in all directions
Decreases with increasing altitude
Varies day to day.
Explain Dynamic Pressure
Moving in relation to an object
Acts in direction of movement
Proportional to density
The square of air speed.
What is the relationship between Air Density, temperature, humidity and altitude?
Inversely proportional to temperature
Density decreases, humidity increases
Density decrease, altitude increases.
Lift Formula
L = 1/2 p V2 S CL p = density V = speed of relative air flow S = surface area CL = Aerodynamic lift coefficient.
Bernoulli’s Theorem
Cross section area x Speed = Constant
Static pressure + Dynamic pressure = Constant.
“Energy and mass can neither be created or destroyed it can only be changed from one form to another”
Describe an Aerofoil
Leading edge Training edge Chord line Upper camber Lower camber
AOA and how it affects Speed
Angle between chord line and remote relative air flow
Low angle = Level flight - high speed
Average angle = Level flight - moderate speed
High angle = Level flight - Low speed.
What is Drag?
The air resistance experienced by an AC as it moves relative to the air.
Formation of Wake Turbulence
Wingtip vortices travel behind the AC
Move down and outwards relative to AC path
Displaced by wind and stabilise around 500’ - 900’ below AC FL.
Issues for Flights in Wake Turbulence
Loss of height/altitude
Loss of ROC
Uncontrolled roll
Overstress AC.
List devices that Modify Lift and Drag
Aerofoil selection - Depending on AC use
Wing shape - Trapezoidal, Double trapezoidal, Swept
Flaps/Slats - Increase lift and drag
Winglets - Reduce induced drag
Spoilers - Spoils air and destroys lift and increased drag
Definition of Flight Envelope
The limits of altitude, airspeed and load factor within which normal flight manoeuvres can be flown safely.
Influence of Weight on Flight Envelope
Minimum speed of AC at given altitude increase with weight
Maximum speed for lighter AC is greater or equal to maximum of heavier AC as less weight means less lift
Less lift means less induced drag with max thrust remaining the same, resulting in greater speed
Thinner air = Less drag and less thrust.
IAS
Speed read directly from airspeed indicator
Speed control.
TAS
Speed of AC relative to the air mass in which it’s flying.
ICAO Std Rate of Turn
3° per second
Max = 25° bank
Constant if speed and bank remain constant
Used for IF procedures.
Name the 3 AC axis
Vertical
Lateral
Longitudinal
What is the rotation around the vertical axis called?
Yaw
What is the rotation around the lateral axis called?
Pitch
What is the rotation around the longitudinal axis called?
Roll
What types of drag are there?
Induced drag Parasite drag (skin friction drag, form drag, interference drag)
What is the aspect ratio?
Wingspan/mean aerodynamic chord length
The mach number is..
The relation of the ACs TAS to the actual speed of sound
TAS/speed of sound
The IAS is..
Read directly from the airspeed indicator
What are the primary flight controls?
Aileron, rudder, elevator
The control column is used to control the AC in..
Pitch (and roll)
Back and forward movement of the control column moves the elevator ..
Up and downwards
What are ailerons?
Rectangular surface at the outer trailing edges of the wing
What are the different stabilities?
Stability in yaw (directional)
Stability in pitch (longitudinal)
Stability in roll (lateral)
What are the different versions of rotorcraft?
Conventiplane
Helicopter
Gyrodyne
Autogyro (gyrocopter)
What are the components of a rotorcraft?
Fuselage Tailsection Power plant Rotor Undercarriage
How do you control a rotorcraft?
Rudder pedal
Cyclic control stick
Collective pitch control
What are the 3 barometric instruments?
Gonna have pictures in exam
Airspeed indicator (green turning red, says airspeed) Altimeter(numbers 0-9, 2 needles, sub scale) Vertical speed indicator (left side 10 5 0 5 10 (up and down) right side 15 20 15, one needle)
Which instrument needs static AND pitot pressure?
Airspeed indicator
What is the CAS?
Calibrated Air speed
IAS corrected by AC installation error
Not visible for pilot
What is the EAS?
Equivalent air speed
CAS corrected by compressibility effect
Not visible for pilots
What is the TAS?
Visible for pilot and in flight plan
EAS corrected by density
What is GS?
TAS corrected by wind
Visible for pilot and atco
List anti torque devices
Tail rotor
Fenestron
NOTAR
2 Main Rotors
What is the TAS correction?
TAS=IAS+2%IAS/1000ft
What altimeter information do we get from the radar altimeter?
Height
What information does the artificial horizon provide the pilot with?
With information in terms of the ACs attitude both in pitch and roll
What errors could lead to abnormal indication? (Gyroscope)
Lower/higher speed of gyroscope Acceleration errors Turning errors Instrument errors Apparent error due to earths rotation/due to transport
What is a gyroscope?
A fairly massive rotor, usually a wheel, mounted in light supporting rings called gimbals which have nearly frictionless bearings
Name the three gyroscopic flight instruments
Turn and bank indicator (white AC, L and R)
Directional gyro (looks like compass)
Artificial horizon
What are the properties of a gyroscope?
Rigidity and precession
List the types of gyro drive
Electrically driven gyros (mostly used) and pneumatically driven gyros (works by suction or pressure)
What is a skid and what a slip?
Skid: unbalanced turn, AC skids out of the turn
Slip: unbalanced turn, AC slips into the turn
What does the directional gyro provide?
Provides more stable directional reference in azimuth for maintaining accurate headings and for executing precise turns
What does the magnetic compass provide?
Directional information of the AC in reference to the direction of the magnetic field of the Earth.
What factors could produce error or abnormal indications on a magnetic compass?
Variation
Deviation
Turbulence
Inclination
What does the gyrosyn compass provide?
Heading indicator, combining the advantages of the magnetic compass and directional gyro.
What indicators use gyrosyn compass information?
RMI - Radio Magnetic Indicator
HSI - Horizontal Situation Indicator
What are the components of a gyrosyn compass?
Remote magnetic field sensor
Amplifier
Control motor
What is an ADF and how does it work?
Automatic Direction Finder
On board the AC, used in conjunction with NDBs
Indicates RB of the relevant NDB and/or QDM/QDR
Which instruments indicate ADF?
RBI - Relative Bearing Indicator
MDI - Moving Dial Indicator
RMI - Radio Magnetic Indicator
List the components of an ADF, VOR, DME and ILS
Antenna
Receiver
Indicator
What does a RBI show?
Location of a station relative to the AC
What does a MDI show?
Magnetic heading
QDM and QDR
What does a RMI show?
Magnetic heading
QDM and QDR (Radials) to up to 2 stations
What does a CDI show?
Deviation from a station
What is the maximum deviation when using a CDI and VOR?
+-10°
What is the maximum deviation when using a CDI and LOC?
+-~2°
What are the 3 Area Navigation modes of a CDI and what are their deviation values?
Enroute +-5NM
Terminal +-1NM
Approach +-0.3NM
What is TACAN used for?
Military equivalent of VOR/DME, giving direction and distance from a station.
What information does a HSI show?
MH
Selected course
Bearing (TO/FROM flags)
Deviation
What is an ILS?
Instrument Landing System
Primary precision approach system, giving guidance to touchdown in horizontal and vertical planes.
What are the 3 ILS indicators?
LOC
GP
Markers
What does DME enable AC to establish?
Slant range from a ground station in NM
What is a MLS?
Microwave Landing System
List area navigation systems
INS/IRS
FMS
GPS
What is the advantage of using INS/IRS?
Completely self contained nav system that is capable of providing nav information to the pilot without the need to communicate to external agencies.
What is the FMS designed to do?
Improve navigation
Improve fuel efficiency
Reduce pilot workload
What does the FMS enable?
Flight along complex routes using lateral guidance (LNAV)
Calculates optimum cruising altitudes, flight profile and speeds
Calculates the best combination of auto throttle and speed during climb and descent, using vertical guidance (VNAV)
What inputs do the FMS use?
Nav GPS INS Air data computer Engine data
What outputs does the FMS provide?
Autopilot
Autothrottle
List flight guidance and flight warning systems
EFIS, autopilot, flight director, head up display, weather radar, GPWS/EGPWS, wind shear alert, TCAS/ACAS
What does the EFIS consist of?
Electronic flight information system
Primary flight display (PFD) Navigational display (ND) MultiFunction Display (MFD)
The ADC (air data computer) receives its information from..
Specific pitot, static and temperature probes
After processing the required data, the ADC distributes and indicates the following information on different screens
Mach Number, CAS, altitude, vertical speed, TAS
What information does the pilot find on the PFD?
Airspeed Mach number Altitude Heading Attitude Vertical speed Autopilot modi
What are the possible failures of flight/AC systems?
Display failure
Input/computer failure
What is the autopilot?
A system used to guide an AC without assistance from a human being
What is the flight director?
A navigational aid that shows the pilot the attitude required to follow a certain trajectory
What is the head up display?
A simulated display which is projected onto a drop down glass panel called a combiner, placed directly in front of the pilots vision
What is the weather radar? (Cockpit)
Used to provide the pilot with information regarding weather ahead
What is the GPWS?
Ground proximity warning system
A radio altimetry system that detects the height of an AC above ground and gives oral and graphical warning
What is TCAS/ACAS?
Traffic alert and collision avoidance system
Airborne collision avoidance system
What are the TCAS alert messages
TA: traffic advisory (an AC is nearby)
RA: resolution advisory (possible conflict - instructions like descent climb etc)
What is a transponder?
An on board receiver/transmitter which provides ATC services information about the identity and altitude of an AC (mode A mode C)
What does ACARS stand for?
Aircraft communications addressing and reporting system
What is ACARS used for in relation to ATC?
- PDC (pre dep clearance)
- DCR (dep clearance request)
- CPDLC (controller to pilot data link communication)
- ADS (automatic dependent surveillance)
What is ACARS used for in relation to company related information?
- maintenance reports
- met reports and en route wind updates
- loadsheet
- NOTOC
- operational flight plan uplink
- TELEX
What are the two propeller types?
Fixed pitch propeller
Variable pitch propeller
How is the descent on a modern jet plane done?
In idle thrust
AC is flying with 0.8 mach no. What does that mean?
Is flying at 80% local speed of sound
What is the primary communication on an AC?
VHF comm 1
Where is the weather radar located?
Nose
What are the 4 strokes of a piston engine?
Induction
Compression
Power
Exhaust
Where do we find alternate current (AC) and direct current (DC) in AC?
General most AC are equipped with an electrical system which provides a number of other systems in the AC with electrical power (both AC and DC)
What are the main components of an electrical system?
- Batteries
- Generators
- Inverter
- Buses (DC/AC)
What AC systems may be controlled by the hydraulic system?
- brakes
- nose wheel steering
- flaps/slats
- spoilers
- rudder
- ailerons
- gear
If an AC experiences hydraulic problems during the flight this may lead to complete or partial failure of flight controls which may result in..?
- fuel dumping
- gear problems
- brake problems
- relatively high speed
- increased landing distance
What are the main components of air conditioning/pressurisation?
- control panel
- inwards relief valve
- outflow valve
- safety valve
- dump valve
- ditching mode
- emergency pressurisation
What are possible problems with pressurisation systems?
- over pressurisation
- loss of cabin pressure
In what conditions can you encounter carburettor icing?
Temperature below 20 degrees
Relative humidity above 80%
What are the 4 strokes of a piston engine?
Induction
Compression
Power
Exhaust
What are the two different propeller types?
Fixed pitch propeller
Variable pitch propeller(constant speed)
Where is the weather radar ?
Nose
What is the primary communication ?
VHF comm 1
An AC is flying with mach number 0.8 what does that mean?
80% of local speed of sound
How is the descend of a modern jet plane done?
In idle thrust
In order to overcome carburettor icing what are they equipped with?
Carburettor heat
Which surface describes the working principle of carburettor ?
As airflow increases, static pressure descreases creating a vacuum that draws fuel out of the carburettors fuel bowl through tiny orifices
When the spoilers are deployed …
Drag is significantly increased
What could be a potentially dangerous side effect with carburettors ?
Carburettor icing
What of the following are NO hydraulic users?
Anti ice
As altitude increases…
Fuel and thrust
AC needs less fuel and less thrust
When vertical speed control is exercised…
Fuel
More fuel is burned > range and economy are inversely affected
The climb gradient is expressed in…?
%
The ROC gradient is expressed in…?
Ft/min
What is the effect of engine failure on a twin engine AC?
Yawing moment in direction to the dead engine
When an ACs Control column is pulled back ….
The elevator moves up
Select the term to describe what mixes air with fuel
Carburettor
When the pilot pushes back the control column what part of the AC moves?
Elevator
During a turn with 60 degrees banking the load factor will be…?
2Gs
Define Rotorcraft
A power driven heavier than air AC supported in flight by the reaction of air on one or more rotors
What are the 4 strokes of a jet engine?
Induction
Compression
Combustion
Exhaust/expansion
When must V2 be reached?
35ft
What are the factors affecting AC performance?
- temperature
- air density
- wind
- wind shear
- flaps setting and airframe contamination
- bleed air system (air con and anti icing )
T/O speeds are
V1
VR
V2
Factors affecting AC performance on T/O
- AC TO mass and balance
- temperature
- air density
- wind
- wind shear
- rwy conditions (rwy slope and surface)
- flaps setting and airframe contamination
When vertical speed control is exercised a higher rate of climb is assigned which leads to
More fuel is burned economy and range are inversely affected
The speed which is calculated at which you can safely abort TO
V1
What can we expect in warm weather conditions with jet engines?
In warm weather jet engine burns less fuel and produces less thrust
What will happen with AC increasing altitude ?
Less fuel less thrust
Thrust decreases with altitude jet engine burn less fuel is more economic thrust decreases more rapidly when altitude continuous to increase after reaching the tropopause
What are the types of jet engine?
Turbojet (basic jet) engine
- single spool jet engine
- twin spool jet engine
Turbofan (bypass) engine
- high bypass ratio turbo fan engine
- low bypass trio turbo fan engine
Mark the answer that is NOT correct (advantages jet engines)
Only rotating parts, almost free of vibration
Pilots of jet AC want to cruise as high as possible because?
- fuel consumption decreases with increasing altitude
- reduced air density has a positive effect on fuel consumption
What is range?
The distance that can be travelled with the fuel available
What is endurance?
The time that the AC can remain airborne with the fuel available
List factors affecting AC performance during cruise
Altitude Wind Temperature Turbulence Ice Mass Speed
How does altitude affect AC range and endurance during cruise
Range - Increasing altitude (decreasing air density) increases the range up to optimum altitude and then decreases again
Endurance - Increasing altitude (decreasing air density) increases the endurance due to the increase in jet engine efficiency
How does wind affect AC range and endurance during cruise
Range - If the air mass is moving, the speed in reference to the ground is different. The best range will be reduced in a HW condition and the best range speed would be higher
Endurance - No effect
How does air temperature affect AC range and endurance during cruise
Range - Increased temp decreases the maximum thrust that a jet engine can produce
Endurance - The jet engine efficiency reduces with increase of temperature, giving increased fuel flow and reduced endurance.
How does turbulence affect AC range and endurance during cruise
Turbulence penetration speed = the speed limit for every AC when flying in turbulence.
The turbulence speed deviates from the max range and max endurance speed, therefore speed and endurance decrease.
How does ice affect AC range and endurance during cruise
When anti-ice systems are used, more fuel is burned. The result is a reduction in range in endurance
How does mass affect AC range and endurance during cruise
Increased mass increases the drag due to induced drag and increased drag profile drag.
This requires greater thrust which increase the fuel flow and reduces the range and endurance.
How does speed affect AC range during cruise
The speed which gives the maximum range for a given AC weight and altitude is called best range speed.
Flying at higher speeds that the best range speed increases drag and fuel flow and therefore reduces range. Lower speeds than best range speed reduce the drag and the fuel flow, but they also reduce the range.
List factors affecting AC performance during descent
Wind
Turbulence
Ice
How does wind affect AC range during descent
The rate of descent is dependent on the wind.
A HW gives increased descent gradient whilst a TW affects in the opposite direction and gives reduced descent gradient. CWC has no effect on the descent gradient.
How does turbulence affect AC range during descent
The turbulence penetration speed has an effect on the ROD and the descent gradient
How does ice affect AC range during descent
If air conditioning or anti icing is switched on, the descent gradient and ROD will decrease
The cabin pressurisation systems produce conditions equivalent to what altitude?
8000’
At what cabin vertical speed is best passenger comfort achieved?
300 - 500 ft/min
How does altitude affect AC whilst holding?
The optimum holding altitude increases as the AC mass decreases.
How does icing affect AC whilst holding?
Icing increases drag and decreases lift, significantly increasing the fuel flow.
How does mass affect AC during approach and landing?
Higher mass requires higher approach speed. Landing distance increases with increasing mass
What is the minimum approach speed referred to as?
VREF = 1.3 x stall speed
How does the AC configuration affect approach and landing?
Increased wing flap deflection results in decreased landing distance due to higher drag and lift.
How does air density affect AC on approach and landing?
The higher the AD elevation and temperature, the lower the air density , therefore the TAS is higher for a given landing speed (IAS).
Lower air density will result in an increase in landing distance required.
How does landing speed affect AC?
Increased landing speed will require a significantly increased landing distance.
How does wind affect AC on approach and landing?
HW conditions lead to a reduction to GS, resulting in a shorter landing distance and vice versa.
CWC has no affect on landing speed or distance.
How does the condition the RWY affect AC on landing?
The rwy slope either adds or subtracts from the deceleration force.
Brake drag depends upon the rwy friction coefficient. The lower the friction coefficient, the longer the landing distance required.