Ch. 4: Performance and Limitations

Question 1

Factors that affect lift and drag?

Answer 1

Wing Area
Wing Shape
AOA
Air Density

Question 2

Torque effect

Answer 2

Clockwise spinning prop causes airplane to roll left about the longitudinal axis

Greatest at low airspeed/high AOA

Question 3

Effect of torque reaction in flight and on the ground

Answer 3

Inflight it acts around longitudinal axis, causing plane to roll left.

On ground, left side of AC is forced down, putting more weight on LH main. This causes plane to tend to turn left.

Question 4

4 factors of torque effect

Answer 4

Torque reaction of prop/engine
Gyroscopic effect
Corkscrewing effect of prop
P-factor

Question 5

Why is load factor important to pilots?

Answer 5

Excessive load can cause structural damage

Excessive load increases stall speeds

Question 6

What situations result in load factors reaching max or being exceeded?

Answer 6

Level turns - Wing must produce lift equal to load produced
Turbulence - Vertical gusts cause sudden increase in AOA, resulting in large loads
Airspeed - Excess load can be imposed at high speeds. Above Va, structural damage may occur

Question 7

What is the affect of weight on Va?

Answer 7

As AC weight increases, VA increases.

AC at or near gross weight can fly near published Va

Question 8

Define LOC-I

Answer 8

Loss of control in flight
Significant deviation of AC from intended flight path.
Maneuvering is most common phase of flight for LOC-I.
Situations that increase risk:

Uncoordinated flight
Pilot complacency
Distraction
Turbulence
Poor risk management
Attempting to fly IMC when pilot is not qualified/proficient

Question 9

When are spins most likely to occur?

Answer 9

Engine failure on takeoff
Engine failure on approach
Slipping or skidding turn on final
Go around with full nose up trim
Go around with improper flap retraction

Question 10

Empty Weight:

Answer 10

Airframe, engines, permanently installed equipment, and unusable fuel. May or may not include oil.

Question 11

Useful Load:

Answer 11

Pilot, copilot, Pax, baggage, and usable fuel/oil

Question 12

Center of Gravity

Answer 12

Point about which an AC would balance if it were to suspend at that point

Question 13

Takeoff Chart

Answer 13

Provides takeoff distance in various configurations and over a 50’ obstacle

Question 14

Fuel, Time, & Distance Chart

Answer 14

Fuel amount used during climb, time to accomplish climb, ground distance covered during climb

Question 15

Cruise & Range Performance Charts

Answer 15

True airspeed, fuel consumption, endurance (hours), and range (miles) in specific configuration

Question 16

Landing Charts

Answer 16

Normal Landing Distance & Distance over a 50’ object

Question 17

Stall Speed Performance Charts

Answer 17

Speed at which an AC will stall in given configuration

Accounts for angle of bank, position of gear and flaps, and throttle position

Question 18

Affects of Air Density on Performance

Answer 18

Lift produced
Engine power output
Prop efficiency
Drag

Question 19

“Density Altitude”

Answer 19

Affect of temperature on pressure altitude

Pressure Altitude is based on 59 degrees F

Question 20

Affect of high weight on takeoff and landing

Answer 20

Takeoff - 
Higher liftoff speeds
Slower acceleration
Increased ground friction
Longer takeoff distance

Landing -
Increased landing distance

Question 21

Effect of high density altitude on takeoff/landing

Answer 21

Longer takeoff and landing distances
Reduced rate of climb
Increased TAS on approach and landing

Question 22

Factors of performance during takeoff

Answer 22

Air density
Surface winds
Runway surface
Upslope/downslope runway
Weight

Question 23

Effect of wind on performance

Answer 23

Takeoff - Headwind reduces takeoff distance due to liftoff at lower groundspeed

Landing - Reduced landing distance due to lower groundspeed/steeper approach

Cruise - Headwind reduces groundspeed/AC performance
Tailwind increases groundspeed/AC performance

Question 24

AC Performance Elements

Answer 24

Takeoff/landing distance
Rate of climb
Ceiling
Payload
Range
Speed
Fuel economy
Maneuverability
Stability

Question 25

Performance When Overloaded

Answer 25

Higher takeoff speed needed
Longer takeoff run
Reduced rate of climb and angle of climb
Low max altitude
Shorter range
Reduced climb speed
Reduced maueverability
Higher stall speed
Higher landing speed
Longer landing roll
Excessive weight on landing roll

Question 26

Factors affecting density altitude

Answer 26

Temperature
Altitude
Humidity

Question 27

Flight characteristics of plane loaded aft of CG limit

Answer 27

Lower stall speed
Higher cruise speed
Less stable
Less elevator back pressure required

Question 28

Flight characteristics of plane loaded forward of CG limit

Answer 28

Higher stall speeds
Slow cruise speed
More stable
Greater elevator back pressure required

Question 29

Spin Recovery

Answer 29

Power to idle
Ailerons neutral
Rudder full opposite
Elevator - Apply positive, forward of neutral movement