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Airframe Test > Flight Controls > Flashcards

Flight Controls Flashcards

1
Q

What are the five major stresses all aircraft are subject to?

A
  1. tension
  2. compression
  3. torsion
  4. shear
  5. bending
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2
Q

Describe Tension

A
  1. the stress that resists a force that tends to pull something apart
  2. tensile strength is measured in psi
  3. calculate by dividing the load (in pounds) required to pull the material apart by its
    cross-sectional area (in sq inches)
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3
Q

Describe Compression

A
  1. the stress that resists a crushing force
  2. the compression strength of material is measured in psi
  3. it is the stress that tends to shorten or squeeze aircraft parts
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4
Q

Describe Torsion

A
  1. the stress that produces twisting
  2. the torsion strength of a material is its resistance to twisting or torque
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5
Q

Describe Shear

A
  1. the stress that resists the force tending to cause one layer of a material to slide
    over an adjacent layer
  2. screws, bolts, and rivets are especially subject to shearing force
  3. the shearing strength of a material is equal to or less than its tensile or
    compressive strength
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6
Q

Describe Bending

A
  1. a combination of compression and tension
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7
Q

What are Flight Control Surfaces?

A
  1. hinged or movable surfaces through which
    the attitude of an aircraft is controlled
    during takeoff, flight, and landing
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8
Q

What are the two major groups of flight control surfaces?

A
  1. Primary or main flight control surfaces
  2. Secondary or auxiliary control surfaces
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9
Q

What is included in the primary flight control surfaces?

A
  1. ailerons
  2. elevators
  3. rudder
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10
Q

Describe Ailerons

A
  1. ailerons are attached to the trailing edge of
    both wings
  2. rotates the aircraft around the longitudinal
    axis
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11
Q

Describe the Elevator

A
  1. attached to the trailing edge of the horizontal
    stabilizer.
  2. it alters aircraft pitch, which is the attitude
    about the horizontal or lateral axis
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12
Q

Describe the Rudder

A
  1. hinged to the trailing edge of the vertical
    stabilizer.
  2. when the rudder changes position, the aircraft
    rotates about the vertical axis
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13
Q

Describe some characteristics of primary control surfaces

A
  1. usually similar in construction to one another
  2. vary only in size, shape, and methods of
    attachment
  3. must be balanced so they don’t vibrate or
    flutter in the wind
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14
Q

Describe primary control surfaces on light aluminum light aircraft

A
  1. construction is often similar to an all-metal
    wing
  2. typically made from aluminum alloy structure
    built around a single spar member or torque
    tube to which ribs are fitted and a skin is
    attached
  3. ribs are usually stamped out from flat
    aluminum sheet stock - holes in ribs lighten
    assembly
  4. aluminum skin is attached with rivets
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15
Q

Describe primary flight control surfaces on heavy and high performance aircraft, including gliders, home-built, and light-sport aircraft

A
  1. primary control surfaces commonly made
    from composite materials
  2. weight and strength advantages over
    traditional construction can be significant
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16
Q

Describe the primary control surfaces of a fabric covered aircraft

A

control surfaces of fabric covered aircraft often have fabric covered surfaces

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17
Q

Describe the primary control surfaces of aluminum skinned aircraft

A

typically have all aluminum control surfaces

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18
Q

Failure to property balance a control surface could lead to what?

A

catastrophic failure

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19
Q
A
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20
Q

Describe Ailerons

A
  1. the primary flight control surfaces
  2. move the aircraft about the longitudinal axis -
    movement of ailerons in flight causes plane to
    roll
  3. usually located on the outboard trailing edge
    of each of the wings
  4. built into the wings and calculated as part of
    the wings surface area
  5. controlled by side to side motion of the
    control stick in cockpit or rotation of the
    control yoke
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21
Q

Where are Ailerons located?

A

usually located on the outboard trailing edge of each of the wings

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22
Q

How are Ailerons controlled

A

controlled by side to side motion of the control stick in the cockpit or rotation of the control yoke

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23
Q

When the aileron on one wing deflects down, what happens to the aileron on the opposite wing?

A

it deflects upward

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24
Q

The pilot’s request for aileron movement and roll are transmitted from the cockpit to the actual control surface in what ways?

A

system of cables and pulleys, push-pull tubes, hydraulics, electric, or a combination of these

25
Q

Hydraulic or electric fly-by-wire aileron controls can be found on what type of aircraft?

A

heavy and high performance aircraft

26
Q

A second set of ailerons located inboard on the trailing edge of the wings can be found on what type of aircraft?

A

heavy and high performance aircraft

27
Q

Why do heavy or high performance aircraft have a second set of ailerons on the trailing edge of the wing?

A

to provide lateral control and stability in flight

28
Q

What is an Elevator?

A
  1. moves the aircraft around the horizontal or
    lateral axis
  2. causes the nose of the aircraft to pitch up or
    down
  3. elevator is hinged to the trailing edge of the
    horizontal stabilizer
  4. controlled in the cockpit by pushing or pulling
    the control stick or yoke forward or aft
  5. light aircraft use a system of control cables
    and pulleys or push-pull tubes to transfer info
    from the cockpit to the elevator
  6. heavy and high performance aircraft use
    hydraulic power to transfer info from the
    cockpit to the elevator
29
Q

Describe the Rudder

A
  1. causes an aircraft to yaw or move about the
    vertical axis
  2. provides directional control and points the
    nose in the direction desired
  3. most aircraft have a single rudder hinged to
    the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer
  4. controlled by a pair of foot operated rudder
    pedals in the cockpit
30
Q

What happens when the right rudder pedal is pushed forward?

A

it deflects the rudder to the right which moves the nose to the right - the left pedal is rigged to simultaneously move aft

31
Q

What happens when the left rudder pedal is pushed forward?

A

the nose of the aircraft moves to the left

32
Q

Name some dual purpose flight control surfaces

A
  1. Elevons - perform combined functions of
    ailerons and the elevator
  2. Stabilator - combines the action of both the
    horizontal stabilizer and the elevator
  3. Ruddervator - combines the action of the
    rudder and elevator(possible on aircraft with V
    tail empennages
33
Q

Describe Flaps

A
  1. secondary/auxiliary flight control surface
  2. found on the inboard trailing edge of wings
  3. extends the camber of the wing for greater lift
    and slower flight.
  4. allows control at low speeds for short field
    takeoffs and landings
  5. typically can extend 45-50 degrees
  6. light aircraft - aluminum skin and structure
    flaps
  7. heavy aircraft - aluminum or composite
    structures used
34
Q

Describe Trim Tabs

A
  1. secondary/auxiliary flight control surface
  2. found on the trailing edge of primary flight
    surfaces
  3. reduces the force needed to move a primary
    control surface
35
Q

Describe Balance Tabs

A
  1. secondary/auxiliary flight control surface
  2. located on the trailing edge of primary flight
    control surfaces
  3. reduces the force needed to move a primary
    control surface
36
Q

Describe Anti-balance tabs

A
  1. secondary/auxiliary flight control surface
  2. located on the trailing edge of primary flight
    control surfaces
  3. increases feel and effectiveness of primary
    control surface
37
Q

Describe Servo tabs

A
  1. secondary/auxiliary flight control surface
  2. located on the trailing edge of primary flight
    control surfaces
  3. assists or provides the force for moving a
    primary flight control
38
Q

Describe Spoilers

A
  1. secondary/auxiliary flight control surface
  2. located in upper and/or trailing edge of wing
  3. decreases(spoils) lift. can augment aileron
    function
39
Q

Describe Slats

A
  1. secondary/auxiliary flight control surface
  2. located mid to outboard leading edge of wing
  3. extends the camber of the wing for greater lift
    and slower flight
  4. allows control at low speeds for short field
    takeoffs and landings
40
Q

Describe Slots

A
  1. secondary/auxiliary flight control surface
  2. located outer leading edge of wing, forward of
    ailerons
  3. directs air over upper surface of wing during
    high angle of attack
  4. lowers stall speed and provides control during
    slow flight
41
Q

Describe Leading edge flap

A
  1. secondary/auxiliary flight control surface
  2. located inboard leading edge of wing
  3. extends the camber of the wing for greater lift
    and slower flight
  4. allows control at low speeds for short field
    takeoffs and landings
42
Q

Describe plain flaps

A
  1. form the trailing edge of the wing when the
    flap is retracted
  2. plain flap is hinged so the trailing edge can be
    lowered
  3. increases wing camber and provides greater lift
43
Q

Describe a split flap

A
  1. housed under the trailing edge of the wing
  2. a braced flat metal plate hinged at several
    places along the leading edge
  3. when deployed, the split flap trailing edge
    lowers away from trailing edge of the wing
  4. airflow follows the camber created by the
    lowered split flap, increasing lift
44
Q

Describe Fowler flaps

A
  1. when deployed, lower the trailing edge of the
    wing and slides aft - increasing the area of the
    wing
  2. creates more lift via increased surface area
    and wing camber
  3. when stowed, the fowler flap retracts under
    the wing trailing edge
45
Q

Describe Slats

A
  1. leading edge device which extends wing
    camber
  2. can be operated independently of the flaps -
    has own switch in cockpit
  3. gives ability to fly aircraft slower with a
    reduced stall speed
46
Q

List some characteristics of Spoilers

A
  1. a device found on the upper surface of many
    heavy and high performance aircraft
  2. it is stowed flush to the wings upper surface
  3. when deployed - it raises up into the
    airstream and disrupts the laminar airflow of
    the wing - reducing lift
  4. often honeycomb core flat panels
  5. at lows speeds operates when ailerons
    operate to assist in lateral movement and
    stability
  6. can also be deployed on both wings to act as
    speed brakes
47
Q

Describe Speed Brakes

A
  1. found on the upper surface of the wings of
    heavy and high performance aircraft
  2. designed to increase drag and reduce speed
  3. speed brake control is located in the cockpit
48
Q

List the different types of flight control tabs

A
  1. Trim
  2. Balance
  3. Servo
  4. Anti-balance/Anti-Servo
  5. Spring
49
Q

Describe a Trim tab

A
  1. moves opposite the control surface
  2. set by pilot from cockpit - uses independent
    linkage
  3. statically balances the aircraft in flight - allows
    “hands off” maintenance of flight condition
50
Q

Describe a Balance tab

A
  1. moves opposite the control surface
  2. moves when pilot moves control surfaces -
    coupled to control surface linkage
  3. aids pilot in overcoming the force needed to
    move the control surface
51
Q

Describe a Servo tab

A
  1. moves opposite the control surface
  2. directly linked to flight control input devices
  3. can be primary or back-up means on control
    4 aerodynamically positions control surfaces
    that require too much force to move manually
52
Q

Describe a Anti-balance/Anti-Servo tab

A
  1. moves in same direction as control surface
  2. directly linked to flight control input device
  3. increases force needed by pilot to change
    flight control position / de-sensitizes flight
    controls
53
Q

Describe Spring tabs

A
  1. moves opposite of control surface
  2. located in line of direct linkage to servo tab
  3. spring assists when control forces become too
    high in high speed flight
  4. enables moving control surface when forces
    are high
  5. inactive during slow flight
54
Q

List structures visible on wings that contribute to performance

A
  1. Winglets
  2. Vortex generators
  3. stall fences
  4. gap seals
55
Q

What is a Winglet?

A
  1. an obvious vertical upturn of the wing’s tip
    resembling a vertical stabilizer
  2. designed to reduce the drag created by wing
    tip vortices in flight
  3. usually made from aluminum or composite
    materialsW
56
Q

What is a Vortex generator?

A
  1. small airfoil sections usually attached to the
    upper surface of a wing
  2. designed to promote positive laminar airflow
    over the wing and control surfaces
  3. usually made of aluminum and installed in a
    spanwise lines
  4. can also be found on the fuselage and
    empennage
57
Q

What is a stallfence?

A
  1. a chordwise barrier on the upper surface of
    the wing
  2. used to halt the spanwise flow of air
  3. reduces tendency for wing to stall in light
    aircraft
  4. usually made of aluminum
58
Q

What is a gap seal?

A
  1. used to promote smooth airflow in the gap
    areas found between the stationary trailing
    edge of a wing or stabilizer and the movable
    control surface
  2. made from a variety of materials from
    aluminum, impregnated fabric, to foam and
    plastic

Airframe Test (11 decks)

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