SIFT SIFT Emergency Procedures and Safety Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

What is 'spatial disorientation' and why is it especially dangerous in helicopter flight?

Accepted Answer

A condition where a pilot's senses give false information about the aircraft's attitude, leading to loss of control

Answer

Spatial disorientation occurs when a pilot's vestibular senses conflict with actual flight instruments, often leading to unrecognized attitude deviations and potential loss of control, particularly at night or in IMC.

Question 2

What is the 'dead man's curve' (height-velocity diagram) in helicopter operations?

Accepted Answer

A combination of altitude and airspeed from which a safe autorotation landing cannot be guaranteed

Answer

The height-velocity diagram (also called the dead man's curve) identifies altitude-airspeed combinations from which a successful autorotation landing is unlikely if the engine fails.

Question 3

What is the standard Army aviation crew communication protocol when approaching a potential obstacle?

Accepted Answer

Either crew member should immediately call out obstacles using clock position and distance

Answer

Army crew coordination doctrine requires any crew member who spots a hazard to immediately announce it using clock position and distance, as timely communication prevents accidents.

Question 4

What does 'TOLD card' stand for in Army aviation pre-flight planning?

Accepted Answer

Takeoff and Landing Data card, used to calculate performance figures for a given flight profile

Answer

A TOLD card contains Takeoff and Landing Data, including calculations for hover ceiling, rate of climb, and landing distance based on current density altitude, weight, and conditions.

Question 5

What is the most likely cause of a 'loss of tail rotor effectiveness' (LTE) in a helicopter?

Accepted Answer

Low airspeed combined with certain wind directions causing reduced tail rotor authority

Answer

LTE occurs at low airspeeds when wind from certain directions reduces the tail rotor's ability to counteract main rotor torque, causing an uncommanded yaw rotation.

SIFT Exam Practice Test

SIFT Exam Practice Test

SIFT SIFT Emergency Procedures and Safety Questions and Answers 2