Oral Exam Questions Flashcards
What will the aircraft do when you lose an engine?
Yaw
Roll
Dive
Spin
Why does the airplane yaw?
Adverse thrust
And the weight of the inoperable engine
What is a critical engine?
The engine which, if lost, will most adversely affect the performance and handling characteristics of the airplane.
Conventional Twins = left engine. The Seminole doesn’t have a critical engine since it has counter-rotating propellers, however…
If important systems such as the landing gear or pressure systems, are operated off an engine then it can be termed a critical engine.
What are the four factors used in determining a critical engine?
P p-factor
A accelerated slipstream
S spiraling slipstream
T torque
Who determines Vmc for a particular aircraft?
A/C manufacturers based on conditions set by the FAA.
Critical engine failed and prop windmilling
Operational engine at max power
Most unfavorable weight
Bank of no more than 5 degrees into operating engine
Aft CG
Take off configuration (gear and flaps up)
Standard pressure 29.92 and standard temperature 15 degrees Celsius
What are drag factors on light twins?
- Flaps 25 degrees -240 fpm
- Flaps 40 degrees -275 fpm
- Windmilling prop -200 fpm
- Gear extended -250 fpm
Define Vmc
Minimum Controllable Airspeed
As airspeed decreases the rudder becomes less effective. The airspeed at which any further reduction will result in loss of directional control of the airplane is Vmc. Published Vmc is defined by the red radial on the airspeed indicator. In the PA 44-180 Seminole published Vmc is 56 KIAS.
What are some warning signs that Vmc is occurring or about to occur?
A rapid decay of control effectiveness
Loss of directional control
Stall warning horn or buffeting of controls
What happens to Vmc if the aircraft is loaded aft of the CG limit?
An aft CG decreases the distance (arm) between the CG and rudder, which decreases the leverage or effectiveness of the rudder.
Name the beneficial factors that lower Vmc
Adding power to the critical engine
Reducing drag
Reducing power on operable engine
Forward CG
Gear down
Lower pressure
Higher altitude
Higher temperature
Name the detrimental factors that increase Vmc
Reducing bank
Higher pressure
Lower temperatures
Lower altitude
Explain what zero fuel weight is.
The maximum weight of passengers and baggage less the fuel weight that the airplane can withstand before structural damage occurs. Zero fuel weight for the Seminole is
Accelerate-Stop Distance
The distance required to accelerate to liftoff speed (75), fail an engine at the instant liftoff speed is attained, then bring throttles to idle and stop the plane.
Bringing the airplane just prior to V1 and knowing how much distance it will take you to stop
Balanced Field
It takes the same distance to stop as it would take to go. The margins are too close for comfort.
Accelerate-Go Distance
Distance required to accelerate to lift off speed (75), fail an engine right at lift off, continue the takeoff and climb to 50’. Know in advance if your plane can climb on one engine with the gear still down.
