AQT Aircraft Systems & Performance — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the four forces acting on an aircraft in flight?
- Lift, weight, thrust, and drag (Correct answer)
- Speed, altitude, fuel, and distance
- Roll, pitch, yaw, and thrust
- Engine power, wing area, weight, and speed
Correct answer: Lift, weight, thrust, and drag
The four fundamental forces are: lift (upward, generated by wings), weight/gravity (downward), thrust (forward, from engines), and drag (rearward, from air resistance). In steady flight, these forces are balanced.
Question 2: What is Bernoulli's Principle and how does it relate to flight?
- As the speed of a fluid (air) increases, its pressure decreases; this explains how airflow over a wing generates lift (Correct answer)
- Air pressure is the same everywhere around a wing
- Only engine thrust creates lift
- Lift is generated by the weight of the aircraft
Correct answer: As the speed of a fluid (air) increases, its pressure decreases; this explains how airflow over a wing generates lift
Bernoulli's Principle explains that faster airflow over the curved upper surface of a wing creates lower pressure above than below, generating an upward force (lift) that supports the aircraft in flight.
Question 3: What is the purpose of flaps on an aircraft wing?
- To increase lift and drag at lower speeds, enabling slower approach and landing speeds and shorter takeoff distances (Correct answer)
- To make the aircraft fly faster
- To reduce fuel consumption during cruise
- To improve high-altitude performance
Correct answer: To increase lift and drag at lower speeds, enabling slower approach and landing speeds and shorter takeoff distances
Flaps extend from the wing's trailing edge to increase camber and wing area, generating more lift at slower speeds. This allows safe flight at lower approach speeds and reduces takeoff and landing distances.
Question 4: What is V1 speed during takeoff?
- The critical decision speed beyond which the takeoff must be continued even if an engine fails (Correct answer)
- The maximum speed for landing
- The speed at which flaps are retracted
- The cruising speed of the aircraft
Correct answer: The critical decision speed beyond which the takeoff must be continued even if an engine fails
V1 is the speed during takeoff beyond which there is insufficient remaining runway to stop safely. Above V1, the pilot must continue the takeoff even with an engine failure, using the remaining engine(s).
Question 5: What instruments make up the 'six-pack' on a traditional flight instrument panel?
- Airspeed indicator, attitude indicator, altimeter, turn coordinator, heading indicator, and vertical speed indicator (Correct answer)
- Six engine gauges
- Six communication radios
- Six navigation displays
Correct answer: Airspeed indicator, attitude indicator, altimeter, turn coordinator, heading indicator, and vertical speed indicator
The traditional T-arrangement of six instruments provides essential flight information: airspeed, attitude (artificial horizon), altitude, turn rate, heading (directional gyro), and rate of climb/descent.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the pitot-static system?
- To measure air pressure for calculating airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed (Correct answer)
- To control cabin pressurization
- To regulate engine fuel flow
- To measure outside temperature
Correct answer: To measure air pressure for calculating airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed
The pitot-static system uses a pitot tube (total pressure) and static ports (ambient pressure) to provide data to the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator. Blockage can cause dangerous erroneous readings.
AQT Aircraft Systems & Performance
What are the four forces acting on an aircraft in flight?