SPC Student Pilot Flight Operations & Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'stabilized approach' mean during a landing?
- The aircraft is trimmed for level flight on final
- The aircraft maintains consistent airspeed, descent rate, and alignment on final approach (Correct answer)
- The aircraft's landing gear and flaps are fully extended
- The autopilot is engaged for the approach
Correct answer: The aircraft maintains consistent airspeed, descent rate, and alignment on final approach
A stabilized approach means the aircraft is on glidepath, at target airspeed, with proper configuration, and descent rate well before the runway threshold.
Question 2: A student pilot is cleared for a 'short approach' by the tower. What does this mean?
- Land on the first third of the runway
- Reduce the traffic pattern by turning final earlier than normal (Correct answer)
- Fly the approach at a lower than normal altitude
- Use minimum flap settings for a shorter landing roll
Correct answer: Reduce the traffic pattern by turning final earlier than normal
A short approach means turning from base to final much earlier than normal, shortening the traffic pattern at ATC's request.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of applying carburetor heat during flight?
- To increase engine power during climb
- To prevent or eliminate carburetor ice (Correct answer)
- To warm the cabin during cold weather
- To improve fuel efficiency at cruise altitude
Correct answer: To prevent or eliminate carburetor ice
Carburetor heat directs warm air into the carburetor to melt ice that can form even in temperatures well above freezing.
Question 4: When executing a go-around, when should the pilot retract the flaps?
- Immediately after adding full power
- All at once once a positive rate of climb is established
- Incrementally after a positive rate of climb is established (Correct answer)
- Only after reaching traffic pattern altitude
Correct answer: Incrementally after a positive rate of climb is established
Flaps should be retracted incrementally during a go-around to avoid sudden loss of lift while allowing the aircraft to accelerate.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the 'base leg' in the traffic pattern?
- To descend from cruise altitude to pattern altitude
- To position the aircraft perpendicular to the runway for a turn to final (Correct answer)
- To check for conflicting traffic on the runway
- To configure the aircraft with gear and flaps
Correct answer: To position the aircraft perpendicular to the runway for a turn to final
The base leg is flown perpendicular to the runway and allows the pilot to judge the turn to final and configure the aircraft for landing.
Question 6: A student pilot receives a steady red light from the tower while in the traffic pattern. What does this signal mean?
- Give way to other aircraft and continue circling (Correct answer)
- Return for landing
- Airport is unsafe, do not land
- Clear the runway immediately
Correct answer: Give way to other aircraft and continue circling
A steady red light gun signal to an aircraft in flight means give way to other aircraft and continue circling.
Question 7: What is 'ground effect' and how does it affect landing?
- Turbulence caused by wind shear near the ground that increases landing distance
- Reduced induced drag when flying close to the ground that can cause the aircraft to float (Correct answer)
- Increased lift caused by runway heat that makes landings easier
- Static buildup from the runway surface that affects avionics
Correct answer: Reduced induced drag when flying close to the ground that can cause the aircraft to float
Ground effect reduces induced drag within one wingspan of the ground, causing the aircraft to 'float' past the intended touchdown point.
SPC Student Pilot Flight Operations & Procedures 3
What does the term 'stabilized approach' mean during a landing?