Private Pilot License Flashcards
What airspace are transponders required?
- Class A, B, and C
- Mode C Veil (30NM of primary airport in B airspace)
- All airspace at or above 10,000’ MSL
- Excluding airspace at or below 2,500’ AGL
What are the VFR minimums below 18,000’ MSL and above 10,000 MSL?
“5-111”
- 5 SM Visibility
- 1,000’ above clouds
- 1,000’ below clouds
- 1 Mile Horizontally
Class “G” VFR minimums below 10,000’ MSL and above 1,200’ AGL during the DAYTIME?
“1-152”
- 1 SM Visibility
- 1,000’ above clouds
- 500’ below clouds
- 2,000’ horizontally clear of clouds
Class “G” VFR minimums below 10,000’ MSL and above 1,200’ AGL at NIGHT?
“3-152”
- 3 SM Visibility
- 1,000’ above clouds
- 500’ below clouds
- 2,000’ horizontally clear of clouds
How far out from remote non-towered airport should pilot make announcement on common traffic advisory?
- 10 Miles
- During downwind and intended runway
- During base and intended runway
What 3 instruments get their information from the pitot static system?
- Altimeter
- Airspeed indicator
- Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
What is “true altitude”?
True altitude is the vertical distance of the airplane from sea level; expressed as MSL
What is “Absolute” altitude?
Absolute altitude is the height above ground level; expressed as AGL
If flying from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure without adjusting your barometric scale, what will happen?
My indicated altitude will be higher than my actual altitude, remember the phrase from Hi to Low look out below; same goes for temperature
What will happen if both ram air inlet, and drain hole of the pitot tube is clogged?
My airspeed indicator will show a constant airspeed, and will change as I climb and descend acting as an altimeter.
Where is the alternate static port located, and how will that affect flight instruments?
It is located inside the aircraft, and because pressure is lower inside the plan will cause:
1. The altimeter to read a higher than actual altitude
2. Airspeed indicator will show faster than actual airspeed
3. VSI will show mementary climb then work normally
When flying at night and you see a white light and a green light in front of it, which directed is that aircraft heading?
The aircraft if moving from left to right
What are Special VFR conditions, and when are they available for request?
- You need to remain clear of clouds and maintain flight visibility of at least 1 SM.
- This must be requested, and is only available between sunrise and sunset
- Must hold a PPL
- If requesting after sunset, pilot must be IFR rated, and aircraft must be equipped with IFR equpment
What’s the purpose of MOA’s?
It’s purpose is to separate certain military training activities from IFR traffic.
What are Alert Areas, and how are they marked on a sectional chart?
They are marked with an “A” followed by a number.
The purpose is to inform nonparticipating pilots of areas that may contain a high volume of pilot training or unusual type of aerial activity. Pilos should exercise caution in these areas.
What is a LAA (Local Airport Advisory)?
They’re a service provided by FSS (Flight Service Station), and they provide local airport advisories, automated weather reporting with voice broadcasting, and a continuous AWOS/ASOS data display.
What are MTR’s (Military Training Routes)?
MTRs are routes used by military a/c to maintain proficiency in tactical flying. They’re usually established below 10,000’ MSL for operations at speeds in excess of 250 KIAS.
Routes are identified as IFR (IR) or VFR (VR) followed by a number.
- If identified by four numbers, it’s below 1,500 AGL
- If identified by 3 numbers, it’s above 1,500 AGL
What is TRSA and what is its purpose?
- Stands for Terminal Radar Service Area
- It’s areas where participating pilots can receive additional radar service.
- It provides separation between all IFR operations and participating VFR aircrafts.
What section of the FAR/AIM can I find more information on Emergency air traffic rules?
91.139
What are the 3 primary navigation aid for VFR on a sectional chart?
Topographic Information:
Airspace Information:
Radio Navigation Information:
What are VFR Transitional Routes?
- Identified as Magenta arrows through chart
- Takes you through Class “B” airspace and require ATC clearance
VFR Flyaways
- Indicated on chart as shaded “blue arrows”
- Keep you clear of “Class B” airspace and DO NOT require ATC clearance
What do magenta and blue airports indicate on a sectional chart?
Magenta airports indicate non towered airports
Blue airports indicate towered airports
What does “NO SVFR” indicate?
It indicates that airport does not allow special vfr traffic because the airport is too busy to provide special vfr service
What does “AOE” indicate on a sectional chart along with other airport information?
It indicates it is an Airport of Entry and there’s U.S. customs and immigration office located on the field to process international arrivals
What is an SFRA area mean on a sectional chart?
It indicates a special flight rules area (SFRA). In places like DCA you must have
1. received specific training
2. be transmitting a discrete squawk code
3. be on a special flight plan when operating within 30 NM from the associated VOR/DME
What are the components of a (ATCRBS) secondary surveillance radar, and how do they work?
- Interrogator (ground equipment): Generates a beam of pulse in the horizontal direction
- Transponder (a/c equipment): Signal is sent back from the airplane omnidirectionally to the station
- Radarscope (ground equipment): Screen where ATC can spot aircrafts from signals sent out and received
What is the IDNT button on the transponder do, and when should you use it?
It causes your airplane to show up very bright on a controllers screen.
Only use when requested by ATC
What does the standard code 7500 put in the transponder tell ATC?
Hijacking
What does the standard code 7700 put in the transponder tell ATC?
Emergency
What does the standard code 7777 put in the transponder tell ATC?
Military intercept code
What does the standard code 7600 put in the transponder tell ATC?
Communication failure
What are the different modes of a transponder?
- Mode A: Is a radio transmitted “squawk” number the pilot sets upon ATC’s request
- Mode C: Reports altitude using onboard barometric pressure valves. This information gets reported along with the plane’s squawk number
- Mode S: Permanently assigns your transponder with an aircraft ID so ATC’s radar can spot “Mode S Planes” easily
What are ADSB and what do they do?
Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast
- ADS-B Out: sends the position, altitude and speed of aircraft to ground stations and other aircrafts
- ADS-B In: receives ADS-B out data from other aircraft and ground stations, and displays them on other displays
*Mandatory since January 1st, 2020 in all a/c’s operating in airspace that requires a mode C transponder
What class airspace are ADS-B required?
Class A: 18,000 MSL
Class B: SFC - 10,000 MSL / 30 NM of primary airport in class B airspace (Mode C veil)
Class C: SFC to 10,000 MSL
Class E: 12 NM from coast, 3,000 MSL to 10,000 MSL
2,500 AGL in Class E 10,000 MSL Not required
What does ground provide service for?
Controls the flow of traffic on the ground either visually or with ASR radar (Hillsboro ground)
What does Tower provide pilots with?
When to use runways and traffic patterns
What is TRACON, and what do they provide pilots?
Terminal Radar Control Facility
- Uses radar to provide approach control services to a/c arriving, departing or transitioning airspace controlled by the facility (i.e. Portland approach)
ARTCC
Air Route Traffic Control Centers
- Provide air traffic service to a/c operating on an IFR Flight Plan within controlled airspace
VFR Flight Following provide:
- Safety alerts
- Traffic advisories
- Limited radar vectoring when requested by the pilot
- Sequencing at locations where procedure have been established for this purpose and/or when covered by LOA
What is course, heading and track in regards to an aircraft traveling from point A to point B?
Course: Where you want to go (point B)
Heading: Where your nose is pointing (wind correction angle)
Track: Path of the airplane over the ground (actual path on th ground from point A to point B)
What can Flight Service Stations (FSS) provide pilots with?
They provide:
- Weather updates
- Activate a flight plan
- Check temporary flight restrictions (TFR) or special use airspace (SUA) status
- Get or give pilot reports (pireps)
- Update flight plan ETA
- Request help in emergency situations
What frequency can Flight Service Stations (FSS) be found on if you have trouble finding the local frequency?
122.2 mhz
What are ATIS, AWOS, and ASOS?
ATIS: Pre-recorded aeronautical info, human observer augments and records info over broadcast
AWOS:
- DIstributed by the FAA; broadcasts local minute by minute weather to the pilot
- May be augmented in RMK’s by certified observer when visibility is less than 7 miles
ASOS:
- Distributed by the NWS
- Four levels of service
- Same data as the AWOS
Where can very high frequency (VHF) radios perform best?
At higher altitudes because VHF radios are limited to line of sight
“Read back” are good practices and include:
1- Heading Assignments
2- Altitude Assignments
3- Speed Assignments
4- Runway Assignments
5- Altimeter settings
6- Rate of climb or descent assignments
7- Route changes, including holding pattern instructions
8- Approach and landing clearances;
9- Takeoff and departure clearances
10- Runway hold short instructions
11- Taxi instructions
What frequency should pilots communicate near non-towered airports?
using CTAF (common traffic advisory frequency) located on sectional chart
What is the designated emergency frequency?
121.5
Name 4 dummy checks if you think you have lost comms.
- Headset plugged in?
- Volume turned up on headset and radio?
- Correct frequency tuned in
- Try plugging headsets into other jack
- Try tuning to a previous frequency you know worked
- See if you have a stuck mic
- Dual comms? Try the other radio
- Speaker installed? Hand mic?
9 Still nothing? Squawk 7600
Lost comms procedure at uncontrolled airport
- Eyes outside!
- Monitor the flow of traffic
- Enter a standard downwind
- Fly pattern as normal and land in sequence
Lost comms procedure at a controlled airport
- Eyes outside
- Monitor the flow of traffic
- Enter a standard downwind
- Fly a normal pattern
- Wait for light gun signals from the tower
- Follow instructions from light gun
What is a flashing green light for an aircraft on the ground mean?
Cleared for taxi
What is a steady green light for an aircraft on the ground mean?
Cleared for takeoff
What is a flashing green light for an aircraft in the air mean?
Return for landing (to be followed by steady green at proper time)
What is a steady green light for an aircraft in the air mean?
Cleared to land
What is a flashing red light for an aircraft on the ground mean?
Taxi clear of the runway in use
What is a flashing red light for an aircraft in the air mean?
Airport unsafe, do not land
What is a steady red light for an aircraft on the ground mean?
Stop
What is a steady red light for an aircraft in the air mean?
Give way to other aircraft and continue circling
What does a alternating red and green light for an aircraft on the ground mean?
Exercise extreme caution
What does a alternating red and green light for an aircraft in the air mean?
Exercise extreme caution
What can set off ELT’s accidentally?
Hard landings
How often should ELT’s be inspected?
Every 12 months
What are the 5 NOTAMS categories?
- NOTAM (D)
- FDC NOTAMs
- Pointer NOTAMs
- SAA NOTAMs
- Military NOTAMs
NOTAM (D)
Information such as:
- Taxiway/runway closures
- Personnel and equipment near or crossing runways
FDC NOTAMs
Issued by the NFDC and contain regulatory info such as:
- TFR
- Aeronautical chart updates
- Amendment to instrument approach procedures (IAP)
(i.e. White House, Area 51, Superbowl, Airshow, Forest Fire etc.)
Military NOTAMs
NOTAMs pertaining to D.o.D
VOR/Airports that are part of the NAS Military Operations Area
Special Activity Airspace (SAA) NOTAMs
Issued when special activity airspace will be active outside the published schedule times and when required by the published schedule
Advisory Circulars (AC)
A systematic means of providing pilots with non-regulatory information
- AC numbering systems corresponds with applicable FAR subchapters; letters trailing the AC indicates current revision
(00 General, 20 Aircraft, 60 Airmen, 70, airspace etc.)
FARs
Code of Federal Regulations is the general and permanent rules and regs put forth by the federal govn’t of the USA
AIM
Contains basic flight info & ATC procedures:
*Non-regulatory, but may reference regulations
What is an advantage of a constant speed propeller?
- A constant-speed propeller permits the pilot to select the blade angle that will result in the most efficient performance for a particular flight condition.
- A low blade angle allows higher RPM and horsepower, desirable for takeoffs. An intermediate position can be used for subsequent climb.
- After airspeed is attained during cruising flight, the propeller blade may be changed to a higher angle for lower RPM, reduced engine noise, generally lower vibration, and greater fuel efficiency
The term “angle of attack” is defined as the angle:
between the wing chord line and the relative wind
In straight and level flight, what is the relationship of lift, drag, thrust and weight?
Life = Weight and Thrust = Drag
What is ground effect?
The result of the interference of the surface of the Earth with the airflow patterns about an airplane. Induced drag is decreased
When is the strength of the vortex at its greatest strength?
When an aircraft is heavy, clean and slow
How is floating, due to ground effect, caused?
It is caused by a reduction in induced drag.
- At a height equal to the wings length, it’s reduced by 1.4%
- At a height 1/4 of the wings length, induced drag is reduced by 23.5%
- At a height of 1/10th of the wings length, induced drag is reduced 47.6%
During a spin to the left, which wing is stalled?
Both wings are stalled in a spin
What is the first indication of carb ice in a float type carburator?
Loss of RMP would occur, then engine roughness would come afterwards
If a pilot suspects that the engine (with a fixed-pitch propeller) is detonating during climb-out after takeoff, the initial corrective action to take would be to:
Lower the nose to allow aircraft to gain airspeed, which eventually lower the engine temperature
An electrical system failure (battery and alternator) occurs during flight. In this situation, you would experience:
Avionics equipment failure
NOTAM (D)
Information Includes:
- Taxi/Runway Closures
- Personnel & Equipment near or crossing runways,
- Navaid Facilities (VOR) and airport lighting aids that do not affect instrument approach criteria (i.e visual slope indicators)
FDC NOTAMs
Issued by the National Flight Data Center and contains:
- TFR (i.e White House, Area 51, VIP, Super Bowl, Airshow etc.)
- Aeronautical chart updates/amendment to instrument approach procedures (IAP)
Military NOTAMs
- Pertaining to D.o.D
- Navaids/airports that are a part of NAS MOA’s