Operation Of Systems Flashcards
What are the four main control surfaces and what are their functions? (FAA-H-8083-25)
elevators - the elevators control the movement of the airplane about its lateral axis. This motion is called pitch.
Ailerons - the ailerons control the airplane’s movement about its longitudinal axis. This motion is called roll
Rudder - the rudder controls movement of the airplane about its vertical axis. This motion is called yaw.
Trim tabs - trim tabs are small, adjustable hinged-surfaces on the aileron, rudder, or elevator control surfaces. They are labor-saving devices that enable the pilot to release manual pressure on the primary control
How are the various flight controls operated? (AFM)
The flight control surfaces are manually actuated through use of either a rod or cable system. A control wheel actuates the ailerons and elevator, and rudder/ brake pedals actuate the rudder
What are flaps and what is their function? (FAA-H-8082-25)
The wing flaps are movable panels on the inboard trailing edges of the wings. They are hinged so that they may be extended downward into the flow of air beneath the wings to increase both lift and drag. Their purpose is the permit 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.
Describe the landing gear system on this airplane (AFM)
The landing gear consists of a tricycle-type system utilizing two main wheels an a steerable nose wheel. Tubular spring steel main gear struts provide main gear shock absorption, while nose gear shock absorption is provided by a combination air/oil shock strut.
Describe the braking system on this aircraft (AFM)
Hydraulically actuated isa-type brakes are utilized on each main gear wheel. A hydraulic line connects each brake to a master cylinder located on each pilot’s rudder pedals. By applying pressure to the top of either the pilot’s or copilot’s set of rudder pedals, the brakes may be applied
What type of hydraulic fluid does your aircraft use and what color is it? (FAA-H-8083-25, FAA-H-808-31)
a
How is steering accomplished on the ground (AFM)
Light airplanes are generally provided with nose wheel steering capabilities through a simple system of mechanical linkage connected to the rudder pedals, When a rudder pedal is depressed, a spring-loaded bungee (push-pull rod) connected to the pivotal portion of a nose wheel strut will turn the nose wheel
What type of engine does your aircraft have
a
What four strokes must occur in each cylinder of a typical four stroke engine in order for it to produce full power?
Intake - begins as the piston starts its downward travel causing the intake valve to open and the fuel-air mixture to be drawn into the cylinder
Compression - begins when the intake valve closes, and the piston starts moving back to the top of the cylinder. This phase of the cycle is used to obtain a much greater power output from the fuel-air mixture once it is ignited
Power - begins when the fuel-air mixture is ignited which causes a tremendous pressure increase in the cylinder and forces the piston downward away from the cylinder head, creating the power that turns the crankshaft.
Exhaust - is used to purge the cylinder of burned gases and begins when the exhaust valve opens, and the piston starts to move toward the cylinder head once again.
What does the carburetor do?
Carburetaion may be defined as the process of mixing fuel and air in the correct proportions so as to form a combustible mixture. The carburetor vaporizes liquid fuel into small particles and then mixes it in with air. It measures the airflow and meters fuel accordingly.
How does the carburetor heat system work?
A carburetor heat valve, controlled by the pilot, allows unfiltered, heated air from a shroud located around an exhaust riser or muffler to be directed to the induction air manifold prior to the carburetor. Carburetor heat should be used anytime suspected or known carburetor icing conditions exist.
What change occurs to the fuel/air mixture when applying carburetor heat?
Normally, the introduction of heated air into the carburetor will result in a richer mixture. Warm air is less dense, resulting in less air for the same amount of fuel. use of carburetor heat can cause a decrease in engine power of up to 15 percent.
What does the throttle do?
The throttle allows the pilot to manually control the amount of fuel/air charge entering the cylinders. This in turn regulates the engine speed and power.
What does the mixture control do?
It regulates the fuel-to-air ratio. All airplane engines incorporate a device called a mixture control, by which the fuel/air ratio can be controlled by the pilot during flight. The purpose of a mixture control is to prevent the mixture from becoming too rich at high altitudes, due to decreasing air density. It is also used to lean the mixture during cross-country flights to conserve fuel and provide optimum power.
Describe a fuel injection system installed in some aircraft.
The fuel injection system injects fuel directly into the cylinders, or just ahead of the intake valve. It incorporates six basic components:
- Engine-driven fuel pump-provides fuel under pressure from the fuel tank to the fuel/air control unit
- Fuel/air control unit-meters fuel used on the mixture control setting and sends it to the fuel manifold valve at a rate controlled by the throttle.
- Fuel manifold valve-distributes fuel to the individual fuel discharge nozzles
- Discharge nozzles-located in each cylinder head, these inject the fuel/air mixture at the precise time for each cylinder directly into each cylinder intake port
- Auxiliary fuel pump- provides fuel under pressure to fuel/air control unit for engine starting and/or emergency use.
- Fuel Pressure/flow indicators - measures metered fuel pressure / flow
What type of ignition system does your airplane have?
a
What are the two main advantages of a dual ignition system?
Increased safety in case one system fails the engine may be operated on the other until a landing is safely made
More complete and even combustion of the mixture, and consequently, improved engine performance; i.e., the fuel/air mixture will be ignited on each side of the combustion chamber and burn toward the center.
What type of fuel system does your aircraft have?
The fuel system is a “gravity feed” system. Using gravity, the fuel flows from two wing fuel tanks to a fuel shutoff valve which, in the “on” position, allows fuel to flow through a strainer and then to the carburetor. From there, the fuel is mixed with air and then flows into the cylinders through the intake manifold tubes.
What purpose do fuel tank vents have?
As the fuel level in an aircraft fuel tank decreases, a vacuum would be created within the tank which would eventually result in a decreasing fuel flow and finally engine stoppage. Fuel system venting provides a way of replacing fuel with outside air, preventing formation of a vacuum.
Does your aircraft use a fuel pump?
a
What type of fuel does your aircraft require (minimum octane rating and color)
100LL and Blue
Can other types of fuel be sued if the specified grade is not available
Airplane engines are designed to operate using a specific grade of fuel and recommended by the manufacturer. If the proper grade of fuel is not available, it is possible, but not desirable to use the next higher grade as a substitute. Always reference the aircraft/s AFM or POH. Auto gas should never be used in aircraft engines unless the aircraft has been modified with the FAA issued Supplemental Type Certificate
What color is Jet A what color is 100LL
100LL Blue
Jet A Colorless
If a non-turbine piston engine powered airplane is accidentally filed with JET A fuel, will it start
Yes. Reciproacting engines may run briefly on the jet fuel, but detonation and overheating will soon cause power failure. When an aircraft that requires Avgas is inadvertently fuel with Jet A, there is usually a small amount of Avgas remaining in the aircraft’s fuel system. This remaining fuel can enable an aircraft to taxi, perform an engine run-up, and possibly even take off before experiencing a catastrophic engine failure.
What is the function of the manual primer, and how does it operate?
The manual primer’s main function is to provide assistance in starting the engine. The primer draws fuel from the fuel strainer and injects it directly into the cylinder intake ports. This usually results in a quicker, more efficient engine start.
Describe the electrical system on your aircraft?
a
How are the circuits for the various electrical accessories within the aircraft protected?
Most of the electrical circuits in an airplane are protected from an overload condition by either circuit breakers or fuses or both. Circuit breakers perform the same function as fuses except that when an overload occurs, a circuit breaker can be reset.
The electrical system provides power for what equipment in an airplane?
Normally, the following: a. Radio equipment b. Turn coordinator c. Fuel gauges d. Pitot heat e. Landing light f. Taxi light g. Strobe lights h. Interior lights I. Instrument lights j. Position lights k. Flaps (maybe) l. Stall warning system (maybe) m. oil temperature gauge n. Electric fuel pump (maybe)
What does the ammeter indicate?
The ammeter indicates the flow of current, in amperes, from the alternator to the battery or from the battery to the electrical system. With the engine running and master switch on, the ammeter will indicate the charging rate to the battery. If the alternator has gone offline and is no longer functioning, or the electrical load exceeds the output of the alternator, the ammeter indicates the discharge rate of the battery.
What function does the voltage regulator have?
The voltage regulator is a device which monitors system voltage, detects changes, and makes the required adjustments in the output of the alternator to maintain a constant regulated system voltage. It must do this at low RPM, such as during taxi, as well as at high RPM in flight. In a 28-volt system, it will maintain 28 volts +/- 0.5 volts
Why is the generator/alternator voltage output slightly higher than the battery voltage?
The difference in voltage keeps the battery charged.
How does the aircraft cabin heat work?
Fresh air, heated by an exhaust shroud, is directed to the cabin through a series of ducts.
How does the pilot control temperature in the cabin
Temp is controlled by mixing outside air with heated air in the manifold near the cabin firewall. This air is then ducted to vents located on the cabin floor
What are the five basic functions of aircraft engine oil
Lubricates - the engine’s moving parts
Cools - the engine by reducing friction
Removes - heat from the cylinders
Seals - provides a seal between the cylinder walls and pistons
Cleans - by carrying off metal and carbon particles and other oil contaminants
What causes carburetor icing, and what are the first indications of its presence?
the vaporization of fuel, combined with the expansion of air as it passes through the carburetor, causes a sudden cooling of the mixture. The temperature of the air passing through the carburetor may drop as much as 60 F within a fraction of a second. Water vapor is squeezed out by this cooling, and if the temperature in the carburetor reachers 32 F or below, the moisture will be deposited as frost or ice inside the carburetor. For airplanes with a fixed pitch propeller, the first indication of carburetor icing is loss of RPM. For airplanes with controllable pitch propellers, the first indication is usually a drop in manifold pressure.
What method id sued to determine that carburetor ice has been eliminated?
When heat is first applied, there will be a drop in RPM in airplanes equipped with a fixed-pitch propeller; there will be a drop in manifold pressure in airplanes equipped with a controllable pitch propeller. If ice is present there will be a rise in RPM or manifold pressure after the initial drop and then, when the carburetor heat is turned “off” the RPM or manifold pressure will rise to a setting greater than that before application of heat. The engine should run more smoothly after the ice has been removed.
What conditions are favorable for carburetor icing?
Carburetor ice is most likely to occur when temperatures are below 70 F and the relative humidity is above 80 percent. However, due to the sudden cooling that takes place in the carburetor, icing can occur even with temperatures as high as 100 F and humidity as low as 50 percent. This temperature drop can be as much as 60 to 70 F
Define the terms anti-icing equipment and deicing equipment and state several examples of each
Anti-icing equipment - prevents ice from forming on certain protected surfaces. Examples are heated pitot tubes and static ports, carburetor heat, heated fuel vents, propeller blades with electro-thermal boots, and heated windshields. It is normally actuated prior to flight into suspected icing conditions. Reference POH/AFM
Deicing equipment - removes ice that has already formed on protected surfaces. It is generally limited to pneumatic boots on the wing and tail leading edges.
Describe how an aircraft deicing system works
upon pilot caution, boots attached to the wing leading edge inflate with air from a pneumatic pump(s) to break off accumulated ice. After a few seconds of inflation, they are deflated back to their normal position with vacuum assistance. The pilot monitors the buildup of ice and cycles the boots as directed in the AFM/POH
If an airplane has anti-icing and/or deicing equipment installed, can it be flown into icing conditions?
Even though it may appear elaborate and complete, the presence of anti-icing and deicing equipment does not necessarily mean that an airplane is approved for flight in icing conditions. The AFM/POH, placards, and even the manufacturer should be consulted for specific determination of approvals and limitations
What is detonation
Detonation is an uncontrolled, explosive ignition of the fuel/air mixture within the cylinder’s combustion chamber. It causes excessive temperature and pressure which, if not corrected, can quickly lead to failure of the piston, cylinder, or valves. In less severe cases, detonation causes engine overheating, roughness, or loss of power. Detonation is characterized by high cylinder head temperatures, and is most likely to occur when operating at high power settings.
What are some of the most common operational causes of detonation?
a. using a lower fuel grade than that specified by the aircraft manufacturer
b. operating with extremely high manifold pressures in conjunction with low RPM
c. operating the engine at high power settings with an excessively lean mixture
d. Extended ground operations or steep climbs where cylinder cooling is reduced
