AFCAT Aviation & Aeronautics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which instrument measures an aircraft's altitude by sensing atmospheric pressure?
- Airspeed indicator
- Altimeter (Correct answer)
- Artificial horizon
- Turn coordinator
Correct answer: Altimeter
An altimeter measures altitude by detecting changes in atmospheric pressure, which decreases predictably as altitude increases.
Question 2: What does VFR stand for in aviation?
- Very Fast Route
- Vertical Flight Response
- Visual Flight Rules (Correct answer)
- Variable Frequency Radar
Correct answer: Visual Flight Rules
VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules, regulations that allow pilots to navigate by looking outside and maintaining reference to the ground under clear weather conditions.
Question 3: What is the primary function of an aircraft's rudder?
- To control pitch (nose up and down)
- To control roll (wing banking)
- To control yaw (nose rotating left or right) (Correct answer)
- To control engine thrust direction
Correct answer: To control yaw (nose rotating left or right)
The rudder is located on the vertical tail fin and controls yaw — the rotation of the aircraft's nose left or right around its vertical axis.
Question 4: What does VTOL stand for?
- Variable Thrust Over Landing
- Vertical Take-Off and Landing (Correct answer)
- Visual Target Operations Level
- Very Tactical Operations Limit
Correct answer: Vertical Take-Off and Landing
VTOL stands for Vertical Take-Off and Landing, describing aircraft such as helicopters and the Harrier jet that can take off and land without a conventional runway.
Question 5: What is the aircraft 'black box' used for?
- Storing mission-critical cargo securely
- Housing the aircraft's main navigation computer
- Recording flight data and cockpit voice for accident investigation (Correct answer)
- Maintaining the emergency fuel reserve supply
Correct answer: Recording flight data and cockpit voice for accident investigation
The 'black box' comprises the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR), which capture flight parameters and audio to aid post-accident investigation.
Question 6: What does RADAR stand for?
- Radio Acoustic Direction and Range
- Radio Detection and Ranging (Correct answer)
- Rapid Air Defense and Reconnaissance
- Remote Air Data Acquisition and Relay
Correct answer: Radio Detection and Ranging
RADAR stands for Radio Detection and Ranging, a system that uses radio waves to detect and determine the distance, direction, and speed of objects.
Question 7: In aviation, what does 'pitch' describe?
- Rotation of the aircraft around its vertical axis
- Rotation of the aircraft around its longitudinal (nose-to-tail) axis
- Rotation of the aircraft around its lateral axis, causing the nose to move up or down (Correct answer)
- The angle of the propeller blades relative to the hub
Correct answer: Rotation of the aircraft around its lateral axis, causing the nose to move up or down
Pitch is the rotation of the aircraft around its lateral (wingtip-to-wingtip) axis, causing the nose to rise or fall, and is controlled by the elevator.
AFCAT Aviation & Aeronautics 2
Which instrument measures an aircraft's altitude by sensing atmospheric pressure?