CAT Aircraft Systems and Components 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of an aircraft's bleed air system?
- To provide high-pressure hot air from the engine compressor for cabin pressurization, heating, and ice protection (Correct answer)
- To cool engine oil
- To pressurize hydraulic reservoirs
- To purge fuel system vapors
Correct answer: To provide high-pressure hot air from the engine compressor for cabin pressurization, heating, and ice protection
Bleed air is extracted from engine compressor stages and used for cabin pressurization, air conditioning packs, wing anti-icing, and engine start systems.
Question 2: What does TCAS stand for and what is its primary function?
- Traffic Collision Avoidance System; it provides advisories to prevent mid-air collisions (Correct answer)
- Terrain Clearance Alert System; it warns of ground proximity
- Total Control Avionics Suite; it integrates all flight computers
- Thrust Control Activation System; it manages auto-throttle
Correct answer: Traffic Collision Avoidance System; it provides advisories to prevent mid-air collisions
TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) independently monitors airspace for other transponder-equipped aircraft and provides Resolution Advisories to pilots to prevent collisions.
Question 3: In aircraft landing gear systems, what is the function of an oleo strut?
- To absorb landing impact energy using compressed oil and gas (Correct answer)
- To steer the nosewheel
- To lock the gear in the up position
- To provide brake pressure
Correct answer: To absorb landing impact energy using compressed oil and gas
An oleo strut is a pneumatic-hydraulic shock absorber that uses compressed oil and nitrogen gas to absorb and dissipate landing impact energy.
Question 4: What is the primary material used in modern commercial aircraft fuselage construction due to its high strength-to-weight ratio?
- Aluminum alloy and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) (Correct answer)
- Steel and titanium
- Magnesium alloy
- Fiberglass only
Correct answer: Aluminum alloy and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP)
Modern commercial aircraft use aluminum alloys and increasingly carbon fiber reinforced polymers (composites) because they offer excellent strength-to-weight ratios critical for fuel efficiency.
Question 5: What is the function of thrust reversers on a commercial jet aircraft?
- To redirect engine exhaust forward to decelerate the aircraft after landing (Correct answer)
- To reverse propeller pitch for pushback
- To redirect engine bleed air for braking
- To deflect wing airflow to increase drag on approach
Correct answer: To redirect engine exhaust forward to decelerate the aircraft after landing
Thrust reversers redirect jet exhaust forward (or divert bypass air forward) to produce reverse thrust, helping decelerate the aircraft during landing rollout.
Question 6: What does the EFIS in a modern cockpit display?
- Electronic flight instrument information including attitude, navigation, and engine data on digital screens (Correct answer)
- Emergency fuel injection system status
- Engine fire and ice suppression alerts
- External facility identification signals
Correct answer: Electronic flight instrument information including attitude, navigation, and engine data on digital screens
The Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS) replaces traditional analog gauges with digital multifunction displays showing attitude, navigation, weather, and other flight data.
CAT Aircraft Systems and Components 2
What is the purpose of an aircraft's bleed air system?