Aviation Knowledge Flashcards
6 cards from real SIFT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Aviation Knowledge flashcards as text
What are the four forces acting on an aircraft in flight?
Answer: Lift, weight, thrust, and drag
The four fundamental forces in flight are lift (upward), weight/gravity (downward), thrust (forward), and drag (rearward). Balanced forces result in steady flight.
What flight instrument indicates the aircraft's altitude above sea level?
Answer: Altimeter
The altimeter measures atmospheric pressure and converts it to altitude above sea level, providing critical information for terrain clearance and air traffic control.
What is the purpose of the cyclic control in a helicopter?
Answer: Controls the direction and speed of horizontal flight by tilting the rotor disk
The cyclic control tilts the main rotor disk in the desired direction, allowing the helicopter to move forward, backward, or sideways.
What does VFR stand for in aviation?
Answer: Visual Flight Rules — flying by visual reference to the ground and landmarks
Visual Flight Rules allow pilots to fly by looking outside the aircraft and maintaining visual contact with the ground, terrain, and other aircraft, under specified weather conditions.
What is the purpose of the collective control in a helicopter?
Answer: Controls the overall pitch of all main rotor blades simultaneously to change altitude
The collective changes the pitch angle of all main rotor blades equally, increasing or decreasing total lift to control the helicopter's altitude.
What weather phenomenon is most dangerous for rotary-wing aircraft?
Answer: Icing conditions, which can change rotor blade aerodynamics and add weight
Ice accumulation on rotor blades changes their aerodynamic shape, reduces lift, adds weight, and can cause dangerous vibrations, making icing extremely hazardous for helicopters.