Ready for Flight

Question 1

Before checking the physical status of the airplane, what other preflight items should you make sure are checked?

Answer 1

1. The I’M SAFE checklist
2. Current and forecasted weather
3. Weight and balance computations
4. Take off and landing performance for the current weather conditions
5. Necessary resources
6. Preflight briefing

Question 2

What is the I’m Safe Checklist?

Answer 2

Illness - any symptoms?
Medication - on any?
Stress - distracted by stressors?
Alcohol - drinking within 8 hours? within 24 hours?
Fatigue & Food - tired? skipped a meal?
Emotion - been in an argument recently?

Question 3

If taking any prescription or OTC medications, what should you do before flying?

Answer 3

Ensure they are permitted by the FAA and do not impair you mentally or physically.

Question 4

How can you check out the current and forecast weather?

Answer 4

Telephone, internet, some airports have an automated weather observation system or automated surface observing system.

Question 5

What are AWOS and ASOS?

Answer 5

AWOS - Automated Weather Observation System

ASOS - Automated Surface Observing System

Question 6

What weather are you concerned with as a pilot?

Answer 6

Winds
Visibility
Sky condition
Temperature and dew point
Altimeter setting

Question 7

What unit is wind speed measured in?

Answer 7

Nautical miles per hour (aka knots)

Question 8

In what direction is an “easterly” wind blowing?

Answer 8

From the East to the West.

Question 9

How is wind direction normally reported (in reference to)?

Answer 9

Reference to true north to the nearest 10 degrees around the compass

Question 10

If a wind is coming from the west, what is the direction of the wind?

Answer 10

Westerly wind

Question 11

Is wind direction the direction wind is going to or coming from?

Answer 11

Wind direction is the direction FROM which the wind is blowing.

Question 12

What is a statute mile in feet?

Answer 12

5280 feet

Question 13

In what unit is visibility measured?

Answer 13

Generally in statute miles

Question 14

What is “visibility?”

Answer 14

A measure of the distance at which an object or light can be seen.

Question 15

What airport landmark can be used to familiarize with the distance of one statute mile?

Answer 15

The length of the airport runway

Question 16

What is sky condition based on?

Answer 16

The amount of sky cover

Question 17

Cloud bases are given as…

Answer 17

Above ground level (AGL)

Question 18

What descriptors constitute a cloud ceiling?

Answer 18

Overcast or Broken

Question 19

What units are used for temperature and dew point given?

Answer 19

Celsius

Question 20

How does temperature affect engine performance?

Answer 20

The higher the temperature, the poorer the performance. The lower the temperature, the better the performance.

Question 21

What is the relationship between temperature and dew point?

Answer 21

The closer the temperature and dew point are, the greater the chance for lower visibilities and fog to exist.

Question 22

What is standard atmospheric pressure?

Answer 22

29.92 inches of mercury

Question 23

Describe high pressure in terms of inches of mercury.

Answer 23

Anything above 29.92 inches of mercury

Question 24

Describe low pressure in terms of inches of mercury.

Answer 24

Anything below 29.92 inches of mercury

Question 25

Define visual meteorological conditions (VMC).

Answer 25

Having both a cloud ceiling higher than 3000 feet AGL and visibility greater than 5 statute miles.

Question 26

As a student pilot what weather and wind will I generally want to fly in?

Answer 26

Weather equal or greater than VMC with winds less than 15 knots.

Question 27

How are weather conditions broken down?

Answer 27

Either as Permissible using visual references under VFR (Visual Flight Rules) or Restricted to using cockpit instruments under IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) such as when in a cloud.

Question 28

Why should a weight and balance computation be performed?

Answer 28

To ensure that the airplane does not exceed: Max allowable takeoff weight Weight distribution limits (too far forward or rearward)

Question 29

Computing takeoff and landing performance data for the current weather conditions ensures...

Answer 29

Plane can takeoff within length of runway available and clear all obstacles in departure path Plane can land and stop in runway available and clear all obstacles in approach path

Question 30

What are some "necessary resources" for gathering before flight?

Answer 30

``` Headsets Appropriate eyewear Equipment for the airplane such as: Ignition key Book for recording hourly flight time Fuel Sampler Any special equipment Current navigation charts ```