SIFT Aircraft Components and Controls 3

Question 1

What is the function of the swashplate assembly in a helicopter rotor system?

Accepted Answer

Transmits cyclic and collective pitch inputs to the rotating rotor blades

Answer

The swashplate translates non-rotating pilot inputs from the cyclic and collective into changing blade pitch angles as the rotor turns.

Question 2

During a coordinated turn in a fixed-wing aircraft, the ball in the turn coordinator should be:

Accepted Answer

Centered

Answer

A centered ball indicates that the turn is coordinated, meaning rudder input matches the bank angle and there is no sideslip.

Question 3

What is the purpose of leading edge slats on a fixed-wing aircraft?

Accepted Answer

Increase the wing's camber and delay stall at high angles of attack

Answer

Leading edge slats extend forward from the wing leading edge to increase camber and allow airflow to remain attached at higher angles of attack, lowering stall speed.

Question 4

The 'anhedral' wing configuration (wings angled downward from root to tip) is primarily used to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce lateral (roll) stability for improved maneuverability

Answer

Anhedral reduces the dihedral effect, lowering roll stability and making the aircraft more responsive in roll, often used on highly maneuverable or swept-wing aircraft.

Question 5

In a semi-rigid rotor system, what is the purpose of the 'flapping hinge'?

Accepted Answer

Allows the blade to flap up and down to equalize lift across the rotor disk

Answer

The flapping hinge allows each rotor blade to move up (flap) on the advancing side and down on the retreating side, balancing the dissymmetry of lift.

SIFT Exam Practice Test

SIFT Exam Practice Test

SIFT Aircraft Components and Controls 3