Aircraft Systems & Performance Flashcards
6 cards from real AQT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Aircraft Systems & Performance flashcards as text
What are the four forces acting on an aircraft in flight?
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.
What is Bernoulli's Principle and how does it relate to flight?
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.
What is the purpose of flaps on an aircraft wing?
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.
What is V1 speed during takeoff?
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).
What instruments make up the 'six-pack' on a traditional flight instrument panel?
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.
What is the purpose of the pitot-static system?
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.