What is the critical engine?
The engine whose failure most adversely affects the aircraft’s performance and handling characteristics due to asymmetric thrust effects.
Asymmetric thrust effects can vary based on propeller rotation direction and aerodynamic design.
Define Critical Mach Number.
The lowest Mach number at which airflow over any part of the aircraft reaches the speed of sound, resulting in shockwave formation.
Exceeding this can lead to increased drag, buffeting, and control issues.
What is a swept wing?
A wing design where the leading edge is angled backward from the root to the tip, improving performance at high speeds but reducing low-speed lift.
What is Mach Tuck?
A nose-down pitching tendency that occurs when shockwaves form and move the center of pressure rearward at high subsonic speeds.
What is dihedral in aviation?
An upward angle of the wings relative to the horizontal plane, improving lateral stability.
What is Dutch Roll?
A coupled oscillation in yaw and roll, common in swept-wing aircraft, often countered by a yaw damper system.
What are winglets?
Upward extensions at the wingtip that reduce induced drag by controlling wingtip vortices, improving fuel efficiency and climb performance.
What is a vortex generator?
Small aerodynamic surfaces attached to the wing or tail to energize the boundary layer, delaying airflow separation.
What does ETOPS stand for?
Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards.
What is the purpose of TCAS?
Traffic Collision Avoidance System issues traffic advisories and resolution advisories to prevent mid-air collisions.
Differentiate between primary and secondary flight controls.
Primary: Ailerons, elevators, and rudder; Secondary: Flaps, slats, spoilers, trim systems.
What is Direct Lift Control (DLC)?
A system that changes lift directly, often via spoilers, without altering pitch attitude.
Define yaw in aviation.
The rotation of an aircraft about its vertical axis, controlled by the rudder.
What does GPWS stand for?
Ground Proximity Warning System.
What is the formula for Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion?
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32.
How do you determine cloud base height?
Approximate cloud base height = [(OAT − Dewpoint) × 400] feet above ground level.
What is a microburst?
A strong, localized downdraft that spreads outward upon reaching the surface, producing rapid wind direction and speed changes.
What is the tropopause?
The boundary between the troposphere and stratosphere, typically between FL300–FL400.
What is induced drag?
Drag caused by lift, greatest at low speeds.
What is parasite drag?
Drag caused by the aircraft’s shape and skin friction, increases with speed.
Define climb gradient.
The ratio of altitude gained to horizontal distance traveled, expressed as a percentage or ft/NM.
What is the center of gravity (CG)?
The point at which the aircraft’s weight is balanced, affecting stability and performance.
What is the function of a propeller?
A rotating airfoil that produces thrust by accelerating air backward.
What is a jet engine?
An air-breathing engine that accelerates air through compression, combustion, and expansion through a turbine.
