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Theory of Flight > Questions > Flashcards

Questions Flashcards

1
Q

State conditions for hoarding frost to form

A

Away from clouds & precipitation, below 0 degrees c

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2
Q

Name 3 circumstances where hoar frost forms

A

On rapid descent from high cold, to warm moist clear air

After takeoff on frosty morning

Parked outside on clear winter nights or early morning

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3
Q

What effect will hoar frost have on the stalling speed of an aircraft?

A

Hoar frost Increases stall speed

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4
Q

What must be satisfied to achieve a minimum turn radius?

A

Wing loading must be low as possible

Air must be as dense as possible

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5
Q

What must be satisfied to achieve a maximum radius turn?

A

Wing loading must be as low as possible

Air must be as dense as possible

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6
Q

If we have a higher lift/drag ratio for an aircraft, the glide angle will have to be what to ensure maximum gliding range?

A

Smaller glide angle

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7
Q

Whats a manoeuvre envelope?

A

A graphic representation of the operating limits of an aircraft

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8
Q

What aircraft usually have a compressibility mach number?

A

Aircraft designed for subsonic or transonic flight

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9
Q

When all the limits are drawn together, they show the available range of manoeuvre for the aircraft at any height, the envelope shows:

A

A) basic stalling speed
B) available load factor at any height and speed
C) maximum EAS at any height
D) stalling speed at any height and load factor

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10
Q

What is the manoeuvre envelope used for?

A

To lay down design requirements for new aircraft

Illustrate performance of aircraft

Comparing capabilities of different types

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11
Q

What ate the axis of the manoeuvre envelope?

A

Vertical axis - load factor positive & negative

Horizontal axis - EAS

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12
Q

Why are aircraft designed to a bare minimum strength dependent on role?

A

Extra strength means more weight and in turn larger engines

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13
Q

What safety margin do aircraft have in relation to g?

A

50%

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14
Q

Maximum and minimum g limits?

A

-3g - +7g

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15
Q

Whats EAS?

A

Equivalent air speed limitation

(Maximum permissible diving speed)

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16
Q

Whats subsonic flow?

A

Air flowing at speeds less than at which sound travels

Pressure and temp remain constant (incompressible)

17
Q

Whats the conservation of mass flow?

A

The mass of air entering a pipe and leaving it and passing any point must be constant.

A pipe using this is called a venturi

18
Q

What is the effect of a Venturi?

A

An increase in the velocity of the air flow and decrease static pressure at the throat of the venturi

19
Q

Why is a Venturi relevant?

A

An aerofoil is like the bottom half a Venturi an the low pressure caused acts as a suction which makes the wing lift upwards

20
Q

Why can boullinis theory and conservation of mass airflow only be used for airspeeds below 150 m/s? And when are they irrelevant?

A

We assume temp and pressure are constant at subsonic speeds, this is not true but the margin of error is ignorable until 150m/s

At 340m/s, they are irrelevant

21
Q

Whats upwash and downwash?

A

Upwash is the upwards flow of air before it goes over the aerofoil

Downwash is downwards flow of air after the aerofoil

22
Q

How does downwash work?

A

The downwash air is deflected downwards from the shape of aerofoil which creates an opposite reaction force pushing the aircraft up

23
Q

What factors affect total reaction?

A

Density
Velocity
Wing area
Angle of attack
Surface finish
Aerofoil shape

24
Q

Span wise drift is progressively less pronounced from tip to root, what does this mean for transverse flow?

A

Transverse flow is strong at tips and reduces towards fuselage

25
Q

In relation to polar curve coefficients, they depend on what 3 variables?

A

Angle of attack
Reynolds number
Mach number

26
Q

Whats a polar curve?

A

A polar curve is a graph which contrasts the sink rate of an aircraft with its horizontal speed

Glide ratio = L/D

27
Q

What are rectangular wings known to be in relation to stalling

A

Wing root stallers

28
Q

Whats interference drag?

A

The mixing of two different airflows over different areas of aircraft

29
Q

State which direction vortexes rotate for port and starboard side

A

Port - CW
Starboard - ACW

30
Q

Aerodynamic effects of ice?

A

Drag increased, lift reduced

31
Q

What are swept wings and what kind of aircraft are they used on?

A

Wing that sweep rearwards

Aircraft that fly in both transonic and sonic flight ranges

32
Q

Whats a benefit and drawback of forward swept wings?

A

Higher angles of attack whilst maintaining airflow over wings

Difficult to fly

33
Q

What are spins characterised by?

A

A high AoA
Low airpseed
High rate of descent

Theory of Flight (3 decks)

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