CPL Flight Performance and Planning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An aircraft's center of gravity (CG) is found to be aft of the aft limit. What is the primary concern?
- Reduced range due to higher drag
- Reduced longitudinal stability and possible loss of control (Correct answer)
- Increased stall speed
- Reduced climb gradient
Correct answer: Reduced longitudinal stability and possible loss of control
An aft CG reduces longitudinal static stability, making pitch control more difficult and potentially leading to an unrecoverable pitch-up.
Question 2: When calculating takeoff performance, which condition results in the longest ground roll?
- High elevation, high temperature, headwind
- Sea level, standard temperature, calm wind
- High elevation, high temperature, tailwind (Correct answer)
- Low elevation, low temperature, headwind
Correct answer: High elevation, high temperature, tailwind
High elevation and high temperature reduce air density, lowering engine thrust and aerodynamic lift, while a tailwind increases groundspeed at liftoff, all combining to produce the longest ground roll.
Question 3: What is the definition of 'density altitude'?
- Altitude above sea level corrected for temperature only
- Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature (Correct answer)
- True altitude corrected for atmospheric pressure
- Indicated altitude corrected for instrument error
Correct answer: Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature
Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature, representing the air density the aircraft 'feels' for performance purposes.
Question 4: Under FAR Part 91, what fuel reserve is required for a VFR day flight to a destination 200 nm away at an aircraft cruise fuel burn of 15 GPH?
- Enough fuel to fly to destination plus 30 minutes at cruise (Correct answer)
- Enough fuel to fly to destination plus 45 minutes at cruise
- Enough fuel to fly to destination only
- Enough fuel to fly to alternate plus 30 minutes at cruise
Correct answer: Enough fuel to fly to destination plus 30 minutes at cruise
FAR 91.151 requires VFR day flights to carry enough fuel to reach the destination plus at least 30 minutes of flight at cruise speed.
Question 5: A pilot uses a weight-and-balance chart and finds the loaded moment exceeds the maximum allowable moment. What action is required?
- Redistribute or remove weight until within limits (Correct answer)
- Increase airspeed to compensate
- File a special weight deviation with the FAA
- Limit the flight to VFR conditions only
Correct answer: Redistribute or remove weight until within limits
If the loaded moment exceeds limits, weight must be redistributed or removed until both weight and CG are within the aircraft's approved envelope.
Question 6: What effect does a wet or contaminated runway have on landing distance?
- Decreases landing distance due to added friction
- Has no effect on landing distance
- Significantly increases landing distance due to reduced braking effectiveness (Correct answer)
- Reduces hydroplaning risk
Correct answer: Significantly increases landing distance due to reduced braking effectiveness
A wet or contaminated runway significantly increases landing distance because braking effectiveness and tire friction are greatly reduced.
Question 7: Which atmospheric condition causes the most significant reduction in aircraft climb performance?
- Low humidity at sea level
- High temperature and high elevation (high density altitude) (Correct answer)
- Standard temperature at pressure altitude 5,000 ft
- Overcast skies with calm winds
Correct answer: High temperature and high elevation (high density altitude)
High temperature combined with high elevation produces a high density altitude, dramatically reducing engine power output and propeller/wing efficiency, severely limiting climb performance.
CPL Flight Performance and Planning 2
An aircraft's center of gravity (CG) is found to be aft of the aft limit.
What is the primary concern?