Handling Characteristics

Question 1

What is neutral static stability?

Answer 1

The initial tendency for the aircraft to remain in its original position

(ball on a flat surface)

Question 2

What is positive static stability?

Answer 2

The initial tendency for an aircraft to move back toward its original position

(ball inside a bowl)

Question 3

What is negative static stability?

Answer 3

The initial tendency for the aircraft to continue to move away from its original position?

(ball on upside bowl)

Question 4

What is dynamic stability?

Answer 4

An aircrafts movement measured over time and it defines how long it will take to return, or near, the original flight attitude

Question 5

What is the relationship between stability and maneuverability?

Answer 5

The more stable, the less maneuverable

Question 6

What aircraft design features contribute to pitch stability?

Answer 6

1. Wings
2. Stabilator
3. Fuselage

Question 7

What aircraft design features contribute to roll stability?

Answer 7

1. Vertical wing position
2. Wing sweep
3. Dihedral or anhedral wings
4. Vertical stab

Question 8

What aircraft design features contribute to yaw stability?

Answer 8

1. Wing sweep

2. Vertical stabilizer

Question 9

What is roll coupling?

Answer 9

Roll coupling is the combination of inertial roll coupling and aerodynamic roll coupling. When the aircraft is rolled at high roll rates, the pitch and yaw axis also are disturbed

Question 10

How do PIOs occur?

Answer 10

Overcorrections, or attempting to correct a change in attitude that the aerodynamic design of the aircraft is also attempting to correct at the same time

Question 11

What is the correct recovery procedure for post-stall gyrations?

Answer 11

Smoothly neutralize all flight controls. Do not apply spin recovery controls

Question 12

What are the T38 spin recovery procedures?

Answer 12

1. Full aileron deflection in the direction of the spin
2. Back stick pressure
3. Full ruder in opposite direction of spin

Question 13

What is pitch stability?

Answer 13

Stability about the lateral axis

Question 14

What is lateral roll stability?

Answer 14

The tendency of an aircraft to resist unintended bank angle changes and return to its original bank angle

Question 15

How do anhedral wings affect roll stability?

Answer 15

The reduce roll stability

Question 16

How do dihedral wings affect roll stability?

Answer 16

They improve roll stability

Question 17

How does the YSAS affect yaw stability and how?

Answer 17

It improves yaw stability. The YSAS senses yawing motions and automatically deflects the rudder to counteract yawing motions, reducing yawing oscillations

Question 18

How do you recovery from a PIO?

Answer 18

Immediately release the stick

If in formation or low altitude, apply and rigidly hold back-pressure on stick

Question 19

The T38 is easy to spin? (T/F)

Answer 19

False, it is highly resistant to spin entry

Question 20

How does the T38 reduce the effects of adverse yaw?

Answer 20

By differential ailerons.
When the pilot rolls with aileron, the up aileron (on the down going wing) deflects more than the down aileron (on the
up going wing). The extra parasite drag on the up aileron helps to compensate for the extra induced drag caused by the
down aileron, reducing any adverse yaw tendency.

Question 21

What are the effects of high mounted versus low mounted wings on roll stability?

Answer 21

High mounted wing contributes greatly to roll stability.

Low mounted wing is less stable around roll axis, but has improved maneuverability