WmB Flashcards
the ability of an aircraft to accomplish
certain things that make it useful for
certain purposes.
AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE
Performance varies due to several factors such as
■ temperature
■ air density
■ weight
■ humidity
Standard Temperature:
15°C
Standard Pressure:
29.92 “Hg or 1013.2 mb
Standard Temperature Lapse Rate:
1.98 °C/1000 feet up
Standard Pressure Lapse Rate:
1 “Hg/1000
the height above the standard datum plane (SDP).
PRESSURE ALTITUDE
the vertical distance above sea level in the standard atmosphere at which a given
density is to be found.
DENSITY ALTITUDE
As the density of the air increases, _________________________
aircraft performance increases.
As the density of the air decreases, _________
aircraft performance decreases.
“As density altitude increases, aircraft performance _______”
Decreases
It is directly proportional to
pressure.
Density
As pressure increases, density ___”
Increases
As temperature increases, density ____
Decreases
the amount of water vapor contained in
the atmosphere and is expressed as a percentage of the maximum amount of water
vapor the air can hold.
Humidity
As humidity increases, density ____”
Decreases
obtained when the power or thrust required equals
the maximum power or thrust available from the
powerplant.
Maximum level flight speed
“As altitude increases, performance _______”
Decreases
It occurs when you have the greatest amount of flying time for the
least amount of fuel.
Maximum Endurance
It occurs when you get the greatest distance for a given amount of fuel.
Maximum Range
The amount of power that is applied to
the brakes without skidding the tires
Braking Effectiveness
The amount of change in runway height over the length of the runway.
Runway Gradient or Slope
This is a condition in which the aircraft
tires ride on a thin sheet of water rather
than on the runway’s surface.
Hydroplaning
Effects of Increased weight on takeoff:
● higher lift-off speed
● greater mass to accelerate
● increased drag and ground friction
Effects of Increased weight on landing
● higher approach speed
● more runway used to decelerate
● wear and tear on brakes
Effects of takeoff (headwind)
- lower groundspeed needed to
reach rotation speed - shorter ground roll
Effects of takeoff (tailwind)
higher groundspeed needed to
reach rotation speed
longer ground roll
Effects if landing (headwind)
○ less ground roll
○ ground speed is lower at touchdown
Effects of landing (tailwind)
○ increased landing roll
○ ground speed is higher at touchdown
Effects of T/O below rotation speed:
■ T/O below rotation speed:
● aircraft could stall
● difficult to control
● low initial rate of climb
Effects of T/O above rotation speed:
● improved initial rate of climb and “feel”
of the aircraft
● increase in takeoff distance
Effects of Landing below specified speed
● aircraft may stall
● difficult to control
● develop high rates of descent
Landing above specified speed
● improves controllability slightly
(especially in crosswinds)
● increase in landing distance
An increase in density altitude on takeoff:
● greater takeoff speed
● decreased thrust and reduced accelerating force
Increase in density altitude on landing:
● increased landing speed but does not alter retarding force
○ Examples of Performance Charts:
■ Airspeed Calibration
■ Temperature Conversion
■ Wind Component Chart
■ Density Altitude Chart
■ Takeoff Distance
■ Landing Distance
■ Rate of Climb
■ Time, Fuel, Distance to Climb
■ Range Profile
■ Endurance Profile
