Operation Of Systems - A: Aircraft & Engine Operations Flashcards
What are the four main control surfaces and what are their functions?
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.
(FAA-H-8083-25)
How are the various flight controls operated?
The flight control surfaces are manually actuated through use of either a rod or cable system. A control yoke actuates the ailerons and elevator. Foot pedals actuate the rudder and brakes.
What are flaps and what is their function?
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 to 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 your airplane.
The landing gear consists of a tricycle-type system utilizing two main wheels and a steerable nosewheel. 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.
Hydraulically actuated disc-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?
A mineral-based hydraulic fluid (MIL-H-5606) is the most widely used type for small aircraft. It has an odor similar to penetrating oil and is dyed red.
How is steering accomplished on the ground?
Light airplanes are generally provided with nosewheel 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 nosewheel strut will turn the nosewheel.
What type of engine does your aircraft have?
Check your aircraft’s documentation for the correct answer.
Example:
this aircraft has a horizontally opposed four-cylinder Continental rated at 180 hp
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?
Carburetion 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 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. 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.
- Engine-driven fuel pump—provides fuel under pressure from the fuel tank to the fuel/air control unit.
- Fuel/air control unit—meters fuel based 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.
