Flight Performance and Planning Flashcards
7 cards from real CPL 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 Performance and Planning flashcards as text
What is the 'service ceiling' of an aircraft?
Answer: The altitude at which the aircraft can maintain a maximum climb rate of 100 ft/min
Service ceiling is the altitude at which the maximum rate of climb decreases to 100 ft/min, representing the practical operational ceiling for the aircraft.
Under ETOPS (Extended Operations) regulations, what is the primary planning concern for twin-engine airliners?
Answer: Ensuring adequate en-route alternate airports are within a specified single-engine diversion time
ETOPS requires that en-route diversion airports be within the approved single-engine diversion time (e.g., 120 or 180 minutes) from any point on the planned route.
A headwind component of 20 knots during landing has what effect on landing distance?
Answer: Decreases landing distance because the aircraft reaches flying speed at a lower groundspeed
A headwind reduces the groundspeed at which the aircraft achieves flying speed, resulting in a lower touchdown groundspeed and shorter landing roll.
What is 'Vmc' in the context of multi-engine aircraft performance?
Answer: The minimum control speed in the air with the critical engine inoperative
Vmc is the minimum control airspeed (air) at which the pilot can maintain directional control with the critical engine failed and the operating engine at full power.
When is it permissible to use performance data that accounts for 'factored' versus 'unfactored' distances in a performance chart?
Answer: Factored (regulated) data must be used for commercial operations; unfactored data is for pilot planning reference only
FAR 121/135 commercial operations must use approved (factored) performance data that includes safety margins; unfactored POH data is informational only and does not satisfy regulatory requirements.
How does a tailwind affect takeoff performance compared to calm conditions?
Answer: Requires a higher groundspeed to achieve the required liftoff airspeed, increasing ground roll distance
A tailwind means the aircraft must accelerate to a higher groundspeed to reach the required liftoff airspeed, significantly increasing ground roll distance.
What is the relationship between aircraft gross weight and rate of climb?
Answer: Rate of climb decreases as gross weight increases because more excess thrust is needed to support the added weight
Higher gross weight increases the drag and the thrust required for level flight, leaving less excess thrust/power available for climbing, which reduces the rate of climb.