Aircraft Performance & Limitations Flashcards
7 cards from real DADE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Aircraft Performance & Limitations flashcards as text
An aircraft dispatcher must ensure that the en route terrain clearance with one engine inoperative allows the aircraft to clear all terrain by at least:
Answer: 1,000 feet within 5 miles of the intended track
Under 14 CFR Part 121.191, the aircraft must be able to clear all terrain and obstructions by at least 1,000 feet within 5 statute miles on either side of the intended route with one engine inoperative.
What is 'VMCA' and how does it affect dispatch decisions?
Answer: Minimum control speed in the air with critical engine inoperative; must remain below V2 speed
VMCA is the minimum control speed in the air with the critical engine inoperative, and V2 must be equal to or greater than 1.1 × VMCA to ensure controllability after engine failure during takeoff.
When dispatching an aircraft to a high-altitude airport (above 8,000 feet MSL), which performance limitation typically becomes most critical?
Answer: Runway length due to reduced air density lowering engine thrust and aerodynamic lift
At high-altitude airports, reduced air density decreases both engine thrust output and aerodynamic lift, requiring higher ground speeds for liftoff and significantly increasing runway length requirements.
Under 14 CFR 121.197, what runway length requirement applies for dispatching to an alternate airport for landing?
Answer: 80% of the available runway length
For alternate airports, 14 CFR 121.197 requires that the landing distance not exceed 80% of the effective runway length, providing a greater margin than the 60% typically applied at the destination.
The 'drift down' procedure for ETOPS or extended over-water operations refers to:
Answer: The one-engine-inoperative cruise altitude capability after an engine failure at optimum altitude
Drift down is the OEI performance profile showing the aircraft's ability to maintain altitude or descend gradually after an engine failure at cruise altitude while remaining above minimum enroute altitudes.
Which of the following best describes 'obstacle clearance limit' (OCL) takeoff weight?
Answer: The maximum weight permitting the net takeoff flight path to clear all obstacles in the departure area by required margins
The obstacle clearance limit takeoff weight is the maximum weight at which the net takeoff flight path clears all relevant obstacles by the required lateral and vertical margins in the departure corridor.
How does anti-ice system usage typically affect aircraft takeoff performance?
Answer: It decreases available thrust and reduces maximum allowable takeoff weight
Engine anti-ice systems bleed pressurized air from the compressor, reducing net thrust available and therefore decreasing the maximum allowable takeoff weight when the system must be activated.