Cessna - Aerodynamics

Question 1

The angle of attack at which an airplane wing stalls will:
A. increase if the CG is moved forward.
B. change with an increase in gross weight.
C. remain the same regardless of gross weight.

Answer 1

C
- An airplane wing always stalls at the same critical AOA for a given wing configuration.

Question 2

When landing behind a large aircraft, which procedure should be followed for vortex avoidance?
A. stay above its final approach flightpath all the way to touchdown.
B. stay below and to one side of its final approach flightpath.
C. stay well below its final approach flightpath and land at least 2,000 feet behind.

Answer 2

A
- large aircraft generate very strong wingtip vortices that can cause an aircraft encountering them to loose control.
- Wingtip vortices sink below the generating aircraft, so pilots landing behind a large aircraft should stay above the large aircraft’s final approach flight path all the way to touchdown. They should plan their landing beyond its touchdown point.

Question 3

Which marking identifies the never-exceed speed?
A. upper limit of the green arc.
B. upper limit of the white arc.
C. the red radial line.

Answer 3

C.

Question 4

What causes an airplane (except a T-tail) to pitch nose-down when power is reduced and controls are not adjusted?
A. the CG shifts forward when thrust & drag are reduced.
B. the downwash on the elevators from the propeller slipstream is reduced and elevator effectiveness is reduced.
C. when thrust is reduced to less than weight, lift is also reduced and the wings can no longer support the weight.

Answer 4

B
- When power is reduced on a low-tail airplane, the velocity of flow over the elevators is reduced which decreases the effectiveness of the elevators.
- The reduction in velocity also results in a reduction in download on the tail that causes the aircraft to pitch nosedown.

Question 5

The angle of attack for a propeller is defined as:
A. the angle between the propeller chord line and the relative wind.
B. the angle between the propeller chord line and the thrust vector.
C. the pitch angle of the blade to the propeller hub.

Answer 5

A.
- NOTE: since the prop is a rotating airfoil approximately 90-degrees to the aircraft motion, the relative wind experiences is not the same as the relative wind for the wings.

Question 6

When does P-factor cause the airplane to yaw to the left?
A. when at low angles of attack.
B. when at high angles of attack.
C. when at high airspeeds.

Answer 6

B.
- P-factor, or asymmetric propeller loading, occurs at high angles of attack when the nose of the aircraft is pointed above the relative wind coming from below.
- The result is that the descending prop blade on the right takes a bigger bite out of the air that the ascending propeller blade on the left.
- The asymmetric thrust causes the airplane to yaw to the left.
- The greater the angle between the line of thrust and the relative wind, the greater the P-factor.

Question 7

The left turning tendency of an airplane caused by P-factor is the result of the:
A. clockwise rotation of the engine & the propeller turning the airplane counter-clockwise.
B. propeller blade descending on the right producing more thrust than the ascending blade on the left.
C. gyroscopic forces applied to the rotating propeller blades acting 90-degrees in advance of the point the force was applied.

Answer 7

B.
- The left turning tendency of an airplane at high AOA and high power caused by P-factor (propeller factor) is the result of the prop blade descending on the right producing more thrust than the ascending blade on the left.

Question 8

In what flight condition must an aircraft be placed in order to spin?
A. partially stalled with one wing low.
B. in a steep diving spiral.
C. stalled.

Answer 8

C.
- An airplane must be stalled to enter a spin.
- A slideslip with the stall leads to a spin, which results when one wing is less stalled than the other.
- The upgoing wing has a decreasing AOA and so becomes less stalled & the downgoing wing experiences an increasing AOA and becomes more stalled.

Question 9

Which color identifies the power-off stalling speed with wing flaps and landing gear in the landing configuration?
A. upper limit of the green arc.
B. upper limit of the white arc.
C. lower limit of the white arc.

Answer 9

C.

Question 10

VSO is defined as the:
A. stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed in the landing config.
B. stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed in a specified config.
C. stalling speed or minimum takeoff safety speed.

Answer 10

A.
- FAR 1.2.

(B = VS1).

Question 11

Which V-speed represents maneuvering speed?
A. VA.
B. VLO.
C. VNE.

Answer 11

A.

(VLO = maximum landing gear operating speed).

(VNE = never-exceed speed - the red line).

Question 12

What is the purpose of the rudder on an airplane?
A. to control yaw.
B. to control overbanking tendency.
C. to control roll.

Answer 12

A.

Question 13

Most training airplanes are designed so that the wing stall begins:
A. at the wing tip inward to the wing root.
B. at the wing root outward to the wing tip.
C. at the trailing edge of the wing toward the leading edge of the wing.

Answer 13

B.
- This is done so that the ailerons remain effective & provide roll control.

Question 14

Which color identifies the normal flap operating range?
A. the lower limit of the white arc to the upper limit of the green arc.
B. the green arc.
C. the white arc.

Answer 14

C.

Question 15

Which would provide the greatest gain in altitude in the shortest distance during climb after takeoff?
A. VY.
B. VA.
C. VX.

Answer 15

C.

(VY = maximum rate-of-climb airspeed & would provide the most gain in altitude in a given period of time).

(VA = maneuvering speed).

Question 16

The angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the relative wind is known as the angle of:
A. lift.
B. attack.
C. incidence.

Answer 16

B.

Question 17

Changes in the center of pressure of a wing affect the aircraft’s:
A. lift/drag ratio.
B. lifting capacity.
C. aerodynamic balance and controllablity.

Answer 17

B.
-When you decrease AOA = the center of pressure moves aft.
- when you increase AOA = the center of pressure moves forward.

Question 18

How will frost on the wings of an airplane affect takeoff performance?
A. frost will disrupt the smooth flow of air over the wing, adversely affecting its lifting capability.
B. frost will change the camber of the wing, increasing its lifting capability.
C. frost will cause the airplane to become airborne with a higher AOA, decreasing the stall speed.

Answer 18

A.
- Frost on the wings of an airplane will have a negative effect on takeoff performance.
- The rough surface of the frost will disrupt the smooth flow of air over the wing & destroy some of its lifting capability.

Question 19

The greatest vortex strength occurs when the generating aircraft is:
A. light, dirty, and fast.
B. heavy, dirty, and fast.
C. heavy, clean, and slow.

Answer 19

C.
- Wingtip vortices occur only when the generating aircraft is developing lift.
- Greatest vortex strength occurs when the wing is at the highest AOA at the wingtips.
- This occurs when the airplane is heavy, slow, and clean (Flaps up).

Question 20

How does frost affect the lifting surfaces of an airplane on takeoff?
A. frost may prevent the airplane from becoming airborne at normal takeoff speed.
B. frost will change the camber of the wing, increasing lift during takeoff.
C. frost may cause the airplane to become airborne with a lower AOA at a lower indicated airspeed.

Answer 20

A.
- Frost causes early airflow separation over the wing resulting in a loss of lift.

Question 21

Which V-speed represents maximum landing gear extended speed?
A. VLE.
B. VLO.
C. VFE.

Answer 21

A.

VLO = maximum landing gear operating speed.

VFE = maximum flap extended speed.

Question 22

What is ground effect?

Answer 22

The result of the interference of the surface of the Earth with the airflow patterns about an airplane.

• the proximity of the ground interferes with the vortex flow about the wingtips & alters the direction of the downwash over the horizontal tail.

Question 23

Which V-speed represents maximum flap extended speed?
A. VFE.
B. VLOF.
C. VFC.

Answer 23

A.

VLOF = lift-off speed.

VFC = maximum speed for stability characteristics.

Question 24

What does the red line on an airspeed indicator represent?

Answer 24

Never-exceed speed.

Question 25

As altitude increases, the indicated airspeed at which a given airplane stalls in a particular configuration will: A. decrease as the true airspeed decreases. B. decreases as the true airspeed increases. C. remains the same regardless of altitude.

Answer 25

C. - In the same config, weight, and load factor, an airplane will always stall at the same indicated airspeed regardless of altitude.

Question 26

Floating caused by the phenomenon of ground effect will be most realized during an approach to land when at: A. less than the length of the wingspan above the surface. B. twice the length of the wingspan above the surface. C. a higher-than-normal AOA.

Answer 26

A. - Floating when the airplane enters ground effect occurs b/c of reduced drag & power-off deceleration. - Any excess airspeed at this point may be accompanied by float. - Ground effect occurs when the airplane is less than the length of a wing span above the surface. -

Question 27

Which basic flight maneuver increases the load factor on an airplane as compared to straight-and-level flight? A. climbs. B. turns. C. stalls.

Answer 27

B.

Question 28

The condition that requires maximum caution when avoiding wake turbulence on landing is: A. light, quartering headwind. B. light, quatering tailwind. C. strong headwind.

Answer 28

B. - wingtip vortices occur only when the generating aircraft is developing lift. - a light quartering tailwind is particularly a situation to be aware of when landing since this wind can hold an upwind vortex over a runway.

Question 29

During an approach to a stall, an increased load factor will cause the airplane to: A. stall at a higher airspeed. B. have a tendency to spin. C. be more difficult to control.

Answer 29

A. - the wing will stall at the same critical AOA, but that AOA will be attained at a higher airspeed when the wing is carrying more load.

Question 30

During a spin to the left, which wing(s) is/are stalled?

Answer 30

Both wings are stalled. - in a spin both wings are beyond the critical AOA and both wings are stalled.

Question 31

Wingtip vortices created by large aircraft tend to: A. sink below the aircraft generating turbulence. B. rise into the traffic pattern. C. rise into the takeoff or landing path of a crossing runway.

Answer 31

A.

Question 32

After takeoff, which airspeed would the pilot use to gain the most altitude in a given period of time? A. VY. B. VX. C. VA.

Answer 32

A.

Question 33

The term "angle of attack" is defined as the angle between the:

Answer 33

chord line of the wing & the relative wind.

Question 34

What is an important airspeed limitation that is not color coded on airspeed indicators? A. never-exceed speed. B. maximum structural cruising speed. C. maneuvering speed.

Answer 34

C

Question 35

One of the main functions of flaps during approach and landing is to: A. decrease the angle of descent without increasing the airspeed. B. permit a touchdown at a higher indicated airspeed. C. increase the angle of descent without increasing the airspeed.

Answer 35

C. - by increasing drag & reducing the stalling speed, flaps achieve one of their main functions of allowing you to make a steeper approach without an increase in airspeed. - This permits you to clear obstacles in the approach path with greater safety & get a better view of the runway.

Question 36

When taking off or landing at an airport where heavy aircraft are operating, one should be particularly alert to the hazards of wingtip vortices because this turbulence tends to:

Answer 36

Sink into the flightpath of aircraft operating below the aircraft generating the turbulence.

Question 37

What is the definition of load factor?

Answer 37

Additional weight carried by the wings divided by the weight of the aircraft.

Question 38

An airplane has been loaded in such a manner that the CG is located aft of the aft CG limit. One undesirable flight characteristic a pilot might experience with this airplane would be: A. a longer takeoff run. B. difficulty in recovering from a stalled condition. C. stalling at higher-than normal airspeed.

Answer 38

B.

Question 39

In what flight condition is torque effect the greatest in a single-engine airplane? A. low airspeed, high power, high AOA. B. low airspeed, low power, low AOA. C. high airspeed, high power, high AOA.

Answer 39

A.

Question 40

What must a pilot be aware of as a result of ground effect?

Answer 40

Induced drag decreases; therefore, any excess speed at the point of flare may cause considerable floating.

Question 41

When departing behind a heavy aircraft, the pilot should avoid wake turbulence by maneuvering the aircraft: A. below & downwind from the heavy aircraft. B. above & upwind from the heavy aircraft. C. below & upwind from the heavy aircraft.

Answer 41

B. - Vortices sink below the generating aircraft creating turbulence.

Question 42

The four forces acting on an airplane in flight are:

Answer 42

Lift, weight, thrust, and drag.

Question 43

What is Bernoulli's principle?

Answer 43

Air traveling faster over the curved upper surface of an airfoil causes lower pressure on the top surface.

Question 44

Wingtip vortices are created only when an aircraft is: A. operating at high airspeeds. B. heavily loaded. C. developing lift.

Answer 44

C

Question 45

When landing behind a large aircraft, the pilot should avoid wake turbulence by staying:

Answer 45

Above the large aircraft's final approach path and landing beyond the large aircraft's touchdown point.

Question 46

Which V-speed represents best-angle-of-climb speed? A. VA. B. VX. C. VY.

Answer 46

B. (VY = best-rate-of-climb speed). (VA = maneuvering speed).

Question 47

What determines the longitudinal stability of an airplane?

Answer 47

The location of the CG with respect to the center of lift. - in general, the greater this distance, the greater the longitudinal stability of the airplane.

Question 48

Loading an airplane to the most aft CG will cause the airplane to be: A. less stable at all speeds. B. less stable at slow speeds, but more stable at high speeds. C. less stable at high speeds, but more stable at low speeds.

Answer 48

A - Loading an airplane to the aft CG (center of gravity) reduces stability at all speeds.

Question 49

What is the relationship of lift, drag, thrust, and weight when the airplane is in straight-and-level flight?

Answer 49

Lift = Weight, Thrust = Drag.

Question 50

Upon entering severe turbulence, which flight condition should the pilot attempt to maintain? A. constant altitude and airspeed. B. constant AOA. C. level flight attitude.

Answer 50

C - If you enter severe turbulence you should maintain a level flight attitude & a power setting that you know in advance will give you maneuver speed or slightly below. - Accept minor variations in altitude & airspeed.

Question 51

When are the four forces that act on an airplane in equilibrium? A. during unaccelerated flight. B. when the aircraft is accelerating. C. when the aircraft is at rest on the ground.

Answer 51

A - During unaccelerated flight the forces along the aircraft's flight path are equal to zero & the forces perpendicular to the aircraft's flight path are also equal to zero. The forces are then said to be in equilibrium.

Question 52

The speed at which a single flight control can be moved, one time, to its full deflection without risk of damage to the aircraft is: A. maneuvering speed. B. structural cruise speed. C. never exceed speed.

Answer 52

A

Question 53

Why is frost considered hazardous to flight?

Answer 53

Frost spoils the smooth flow of air over the wings, thereby decreasing lifting capability.

Question 54

What is the angle of bank after which the load factor notably increases? A. 15. B. 30. C. 45.

Answer 54

C - Load factor increases exponentially as the bank angle increases. Of the three possible answers, 45-degrees is the best option where load factor increases at the greatest rate.

Question 55

Ground affect is most likely to result in which problem? A. settling to the surface abruptly during landing. B. becoming airborne before reaching recommended takeoff speed. C. inability to get airborne even though airspeed is sufficient for normal takeoff needs.

Answer 55

B

Question 56

VNO is defined as the: A. normal operating range. B. never-exceed speed. C. maximum structural cruising speed.

Answer 56

C

Question 57

An airplane said to be inherently stable will: A. be difficult to stall. B. require less effort to control. C. not spin.

Answer 57

B - an inherently stable airplane will tend to return to its original flight condition if it is disturbed by an outside force such as turbulence. - since the inherently stable airplane is helping to fly itself, it will require less effort to control.

Question 58

Which force makes an airplane turn? A. the horizontal component of lift. B. the vertical component of lift. C. Centrifugal force.

Answer 58

A

Question 59

What is one purpose of wing flaps?

Answer 59

To enable the pilot to make steeper approaches to a landing without increasing the airspeed.

Question 60

The amount of excess load that can be imposed on the wing of an airplane depends upon the: A. position of the CG. B. speed of the airplane. C. abruptness at which the load is applied.

Answer 60

B. - The higher the airspeed, the greater the possibility that excess load or stress can be imposed on the wings of an airplane.

Question 61

How does the wake turbulence vortex circulate around each wingtip? A. inward, upward, and around each tip. B. inward, upward, and counterclockwise. C. outward, upward, and around each tip.

Answer 61

C