SIFT Aircraft Components and Controls 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary function of the horizontal stabilizer on a helicopter?
- Provides anti-torque effect
- Controls pitch attitude at cruise speeds (Correct answer)
- Generates lift equal to the main rotor
- Controls yaw during hover
Correct answer: Controls pitch attitude at cruise speeds
The horizontal stabilizer on a helicopter helps control pitch attitude at higher cruise speeds, reducing pilot workload.
Question 2: Which component of a fixed-wing aircraft is responsible for roll control?
- Rudder
- Elevator
- Ailerons (Correct answer)
- Flaps
Correct answer: Ailerons
Ailerons are the primary roll control surfaces located on the trailing edge of each wing, working differentially to bank the aircraft.
Question 3: In a conventional helicopter, pushing the cyclic stick forward causes the aircraft to:
- Climb vertically
- Pitch nose-down and move forward (Correct answer)
- Turn left
- Increase rotor RPM
Correct answer: Pitch nose-down and move forward
Pushing the cyclic forward tilts the rotor disk forward, which pitches the nose down and propels the helicopter in the forward direction.
Question 4: What does the 'collective' control on a helicopter primarily regulate?
- Direction of flight
- Overall pitch of all rotor blades simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Tail rotor thrust
- Engine fuel flow only
Correct answer: Overall pitch of all rotor blades simultaneously
The collective changes the pitch angle of all main rotor blades simultaneously, controlling the total lift produced and vertical movement.
Question 5: What is the purpose of trim tabs on a fixed-wing aircraft?
- Increase maximum lift
- Reduce required control force to maintain a desired attitude (Correct answer)
- Extend the effective wing area
- Increase drag for descent
Correct answer: Reduce required control force to maintain a desired attitude
Trim tabs reduce the control pressures a pilot must exert by creating small aerodynamic forces that hold the primary control surface in a desired position.
Question 6: On a helicopter, which component primarily counteracts the torque produced by the main rotor?
- Collective pitch control
- Tail rotor (Correct answer)
- Horizontal stabilizer
- Swashplate
Correct answer: Tail rotor
The tail rotor produces a lateral thrust that counteracts the torque reaction caused by the main rotor spinning, preventing the fuselage from rotating.
Question 7: Which flight control surface primarily controls the yaw (nose left/right) of a fixed-wing aircraft?
- Ailerons
- Elevator
- Rudder (Correct answer)
- Spoilers
Correct answer: Rudder
The rudder, mounted on the vertical stabilizer, deflects left or right to produce a yawing moment about the aircraft's vertical axis.
SIFT Aircraft Components and Controls 2
What is the primary function of the horizontal stabilizer on a helicopter?