AQT Aircraft Systems & Performance 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a stall in aviation?
- A condition where the wing's angle of attack exceeds the critical angle and lift decreases dramatically, regardless of airspeed (Correct answer)
- When the engine stops running
- When the aircraft stops moving on the ground
- When the radio fails
Correct answer: A condition where the wing's angle of attack exceeds the critical angle and lift decreases dramatically, regardless of airspeed
An aerodynamic stall occurs when the angle of attack exceeds the critical angle (~15-20°), disrupting smooth airflow over the wing. The aircraft can stall at any airspeed if the critical angle is exceeded.
Question 2: What is the difference between indicated airspeed and true airspeed?
- Indicated airspeed is what the instrument shows; true airspeed is corrected for altitude and temperature, reflecting actual speed through the air (Correct answer)
- They are always the same
- True airspeed is always lower
- Indicated airspeed is more accurate at high altitude
Correct answer: Indicated airspeed is what the instrument shows; true airspeed is corrected for altitude and temperature, reflecting actual speed through the air
Indicated airspeed (IAS) reflects dynamic pressure measured by the pitot system. At higher altitudes where air is thinner, the same IAS corresponds to a higher true airspeed (TAS) because the aircraft moves faster through less dense air.
Question 3: What is a glass cockpit?
- An integrated flight deck using digital display screens to present flight, navigation, and engine information instead of traditional analog instruments (Correct answer)
- A cockpit made of glass panels for visibility
- An aircraft with very large windows
- A cockpit display that only shows weather
Correct answer: An integrated flight deck using digital display screens to present flight, navigation, and engine information instead of traditional analog instruments
Glass cockpits use LCD or LED multi-function displays to integrate flight instruments, navigation, engine parameters, and weather data into customizable digital displays, replacing dozens of individual analog gauges.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a transponder?
- To transmit an identification code and altitude information to air traffic control radar systems (Correct answer)
- To communicate voice messages with ATC
- To navigate using GPS signals
- To receive weather information
Correct answer: To transmit an identification code and altitude information to air traffic control radar systems
Transponders respond to ATC radar interrogation by transmitting a four-digit squawk code and (Mode C/S) pressure altitude, allowing controllers to identify and track aircraft on their radar displays.
Question 5: What is the coffin corner in high-altitude flight?
- The narrow speed range at very high altitude where the margin between stall speed and maximum speed becomes dangerously small (Correct answer)
- A specific area of the cockpit
- A storage compartment in the aircraft
- A navigational waypoint
Correct answer: The narrow speed range at very high altitude where the margin between stall speed and maximum speed becomes dangerously small
At very high altitudes, stall speed increases (due to thin air) while maximum operating speed decreases (approaching Mach limits), creating a very narrow safe speed envelope where exceeding either limit can be catastrophic.
Question 6: What are the primary flight controls of an aircraft?
- Ailerons (roll), elevator (pitch), and rudder (yaw) (Correct answer)
- Flaps, slats, and spoilers
- Throttle, mixture, and propeller
- Landing gear, brakes, and steering
Correct answer: Ailerons (roll), elevator (pitch), and rudder (yaw)
The three primary flight controls manipulate the aircraft around three axes: ailerons control roll (lateral axis), the elevator controls pitch (longitudinal axis), and the rudder controls yaw (vertical axis).
AQT Aircraft Systems & Performance 2
What is a stall in aviation?