GPC - Glider Pilot Certificate Flight Maneuvers and Techniques Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A glider with a 1g stall speed of 40 knots enters a coordinated, 60-degree banked turn. What is the approximate new stall speed?
- 40 knots
- 80 knots
- 56 knots (Correct answer)
- 48 knots
Correct answer: 56 knots
In a 60-degree banked turn, the load factor is 2g. The stall speed increases by the square root of the load factor. The square root of 2 is approximately 1.41. Therefore, the new stall speed is 40 knots * 1.41, which equals approximately 56 knots.
Question 2: During a final approach, a pilot realizes they are too high but on the correct flight path. To lose altitude without a significant increase in airspeed, which maneuver is most appropriate?
- A sideslip
- A forward slip (Correct answer)
- A chandelle
- A steep spiral dive
Correct answer: A forward slip
A forward slip is a maneuver used specifically to increase the rate of descent without increasing airspeed. It is performed by cross-controlling the ailerons and rudder to present the side of the fuselage to the relative wind, creating significant drag. A sideslip is used to counteract drift in a crosswind landing.
Question 3: While thermalling, a pilot notices the variometer reading increases significantly as they fly on a southerly heading and decreases on a northerly heading. To move the center of their turn towards the thermal's core, the pilot should:
- Continue the turn with no change to recenter on the next circle.
- Reverse the direction of the turn immediately.
- Shallow the bank angle when heading south and steepen it when heading north. (Correct answer)
- Steepen the bank angle when heading south and shallow it when heading north.
Correct answer: Shallow the bank angle when heading south and steepen it when heading north.
To move the center of the turn towards the stronger lift, the pilot should spend more time on the side of the circle with weaker lift and less time on the side with stronger lift. By shallowing the bank in the strong lift (heading south), the turn radius increases, pushing the circle's center north. By steepening the bank in the weak lift (heading north), the turn radius decreases, pulling the circle's center towards the stronger lift.
Question 4: During an aerotow, the glider encounters significant wake turbulence from the tow plane, resulting in a violent, uncommanded roll. What is the pilot's most appropriate immediate action?
- Attempt to fly through the turbulence while maintaining position.
- Release from the tow rope immediately and fly clear of the wake. (Correct answer)
- Signal the tow pilot by rocking the wings, then release.
- Descend to the low-tow position to find smoother air.
Correct answer: Release from the tow rope immediately and fly clear of the wake.
Wake turbulence can be powerful enough to cause a loss of control. The safest and most appropriate immediate action is to release from the tow rope to regain independent control of the glider and then maneuver to fly out of the turbulent air.
Question 5: What is the primary aerodynamic effect a glider experiences when flying very close to the ground, such as during the final flare for landing?
- An increase in induced drag, causing the glider to sink rapidly.
- A reduction in induced drag, causing the glider to 'float' further. (Correct answer)
- A significant increase in parasite drag due to air compression.
- A loss of aileron effectiveness due to disrupted airflow.
Correct answer: A reduction in induced drag, causing the glider to 'float' further.
When a glider flies within approximately one wingspan of the ground, it enters 'ground effect'. This phenomenon interferes with the formation of wingtip vortices, which are a primary cause of induced drag. The reduction in induced drag makes the wing more efficient, causing the glider to float a longer distance than it would otherwise.
Question 6: During a winch launch, the cable breaks at an altitude of 300 feet. There is insufficient runway remaining to land straight ahead, but the wind is calm. What is the correct recovery procedure?
- Pull up to trade speed for altitude before turning back.
- Immediately initiate a steep 180-degree turn to land downwind.
- Push the stick forward to establish a safe airspeed, then perform a modified, abbreviated circuit to land into the wind. (Correct answer)
- Deploy full airbrakes and perform a stall to land with minimal forward speed.
Correct answer: Push the stick forward to establish a safe airspeed, then perform a modified, abbreviated circuit to land into the wind.
The first and most critical action after a cable break is to push the stick forward to lower the nose and establish a safe flying speed to prevent a stall. At 300 feet, there is typically enough altitude to perform a shortened, tear-drop shaped pattern (an abbreviated circuit) to align with the runway for a landing into the wind, which is safer than a downwind landing. A direct 180-degree turn at low altitude risks a stall/spin.
GPC - Glider Pilot Certificate Flight Maneuvers and Techniques Questions and Answers
A glider with a 1g stall speed of 40 knots enters a coordinated, 60-degree banked turn.
What is the approximate new stall speed?