Flight Control Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real Airframe Mechanic Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Flight Control Systems flashcards as text
What is the primary cause of aileron flutter on an aircraft?
Answer: Mass imbalance of the control surface about its hinge line
Flutter occurs when the control surface's center of mass is aft of the hinge line, creating a self-exciting oscillation driven by aerodynamic forces.
Which regulation requires that flight control systems be checked for freedom of movement and correct travel before the first flight after certain maintenance actions?
Answer: 14 CFR 43.13
14 CFR 43.13 requires mechanics to perform maintenance using methods and data that ensure the work results in at least equal airworthiness, including control system checks.
A ground-adjustable tab differs from a trim tab in that it:
Answer: Is adjusted only on the ground and cannot be moved in flight
Ground-adjustable tabs are bent to a fixed position by maintenance personnel before flight and cannot be repositioned by the pilot from the cockpit.
What type of control system uses control signals transmitted electrically to actuators, with no mechanical linkage between cockpit controls and surfaces?
Answer: Fly-by-wire
Fly-by-wire (FBW) systems replace mechanical cables and pushrods with electrical signals sent to flight control computers, which then command hydraulic or electromechanical actuators.
When checking a flight control system for correct cable routing, a mechanic discovers a cable routed through a fairlead at an angle greater than 3 degrees. This is:
Answer: Unacceptable and the routing must be corrected
AC 43.13-1B specifies that cables should not pass through a fairlead at an angle greater than 3 degrees, as greater angles cause accelerated wear.
What is the purpose of a downspring in a pitch control system?
Answer: To provide a nose-down force that must be overcome to raise the nose, improving pitch stability feel
A downspring applies a constant nose-down load to the elevator system, ensuring that increasing back-pressure is required to raise the nose, giving the pilot a more stable pitch feel.
What documentation must a technician complete after performing a flight control rigging inspection and adjustment?
Answer: A maintenance record entry in the aircraft records per 14 CFR 43.9 describing the work, date, and signature
14 CFR 43.9 requires a maintenance record entry for all maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration, including rigging adjustments, with date, description, and approval signature.