Performance and Limitations

Question 1

Define: Angle of Incidence

Answer 1

The angle formed by the longitudinal axis of the airplane and the chord line of the wing.
The angle at which the wing is attached to the fuselage.

Question 2

Define: Relative Wind

Answer 2

The direction of the airflow with respect to the wing.

Question 3

Define: Bernoulli’s Principle

Answer 3

The pressure of a fluid decreases as the speed of the fluid increases.
Ex: Lower pressure on top of the wing where the speed is increased.

Question 4

Define: Torque Effect

Answer 4

The propeller is moving in one direction so an equal force is trying to rotate the airplane in the opposite direction.

Question 5

Define: Centrifugal Force

Answer 5

The “equal and opposite reaction” of the airplane to change in direction.

Question 6

Define: Load Factor

Answer 6

The actual load supported by the wings divided by the airplane’s total weight.
Also expressed as ratio of a given load to the pull of gravity.
Ex: 3g’s = weight of the airplane is 1 and the load factor is 3x that load.

Question 7

Why is the Load Factor important?

Answer 7

It is dangerous to overload the aircraft structure.

An increased load factor increases stalling speed.

Question 8

What is the Maximum Safe Load Factor? (Limit LF)

Answer 8

+3.8 to -1.52

Question 9

Define: Maneuvering Speed

Answer 9

The maximum speed at which abrupt control movement can be applied.

Question 10

What are the effects on maneuvering speed with an increase or decrease in weight?

Answer 10

Va speed increases with an increase in weight and decreases with a decrease in weight.

Question 11

What causes a stall?

Answer 11

Excessive Angle of Attack

Question 12

What causes a spin?

Answer 12

Exceeding the Critical AOA while uncoordinated.

Question 13

When are spins most likely to occur?

Answer 13

Engine failure on takeoff/climbout
Cross controlled base to final
Engine failure on approach to land
Go-around with full nose-up trim
Go-around with improper flap retraction

Question 14

Define: Empty Weight

Answer 14

All fixed items in and on the aircraft
Also includes:
-unusable fuel/oil
-hydraulic fluid

Question 15

Define: Gross Weight

Answer 15

The maximum allowable weight of both the airframe and its contents

Question 16

Define: Useful Load

Answer 16

The weight of:

• Pilot and passengers
• Baggage
• Usable fuel
• Drainable oil

Question 17

What effects does a forward CG have?

Answer 17

Higher stalling speed
Slower cruise speed
More stable
Greater elevator pressure required

Question 18

What effects does an aft CG have?

Answer 18

Lower stall speed
Higher cruise speed
Less stable

Question 19

What factors affect the performance of an aircraft during takeoff and landing?

Answer 19

Air density
Surface wind
Surface
Slope of the runway
Weight of the aircraft

Question 20

What factors affect density altitude?

Answer 20

Altitude
Temperature
Humidity

Question 21

How to recover from a spin?

Answer 21

P - power idle
A - ailerons neutral
R - rudder opposite direction
E - elevator pitch down (release back pressure)

Question 22

Procedure for engine failure?

Answer 22

C - Carb heat ON
A - Airspeed to best glide speed
B - Best place to land
C - Checklist

Question 23

What causes adverse yaw?

Answer 23

Right Turn
Left aileron down
-AOA increases, increasing lift and drag
Right aileron up
-AOA decreases, decreasing lift and drag
Prop moves to the lift because of the faster right wing, creating an undesired veering (adverse yaw)

Question 24

Define: Ground Effect

Answer 24

Reduction of induced drag near the surface. Earth’s surface alters the airflow pattern around the aircraft. Improved aircraft performance*

Question 25

What performance characteristics will be adversely affected when an aircraft has been overloaded?

Answer 25

Higher takeoff speed
Longer takeoff run
Reduced rate and angle of climb
Lower maximum altitude
Shorter range
Reduced cruising speed
Higher stalling speed
Higher landing speed
Longer landing roll

Question 26

What effect does an increase in density altitude have on takeoff and landing performance?

Answer 26

An increase in density altitude results in:

• increased takeoff distance
• reduced rate of climb
• increased true airspeed on approach/landing
• increased landing roll distance

Question 27

Define: Density Altitude

Answer 27

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperatures

Question 28

How does air density affect aircraft performance?

Answer 28

Has a direct effect on:

• lift produced by the wings
• power output of the engine
• propeller efficiency
• drag forces

Question 29

Density altitude will increase when …?

Answer 29

High air temperature
High altitude
High humidity
(opposite for decrease in density altitude)

Question 30

Define: Pressure Altitude

Answer 30

The altitude indicated when the altimeter is set to 29.92

Question 31

What is Pressure Altitude used to compute?

Answer 31

Density altitude
True altitude
True airspeed

Question 32

How many usable gallons of fuel can you carry?

Answer 32

40 gallons

Question 33

What is the octane rating of fuel for your aircraft?

Answer 33

100LL

Question 34

What is the maximum oil temperature and pressure?

Answer 34

Temp: 245 degrees F
Pressure: 25 PSI

Question 35

What are the nosewheel turning limitations for your aircraft?

Answer 35

30 degrees

Question 36

What is the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for your aircraft?

Answer 36

15 knots