Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real CPL practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Aerodynamics and Aircraft Systems flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a hydraulic accumulator in an aircraft hydraulic system?
Answer: To store pressurized fluid for emergency use and dampen pressure fluctuations
A hydraulic accumulator stores pressurized fluid under a nitrogen gas charge to provide emergency pressure, dampen pump pressure spikes, and supplement pump output during peak demand.
In a typical aircraft fuel system, the crossfeed function allows:
Answer: Any engine to draw fuel from any tank regardless of normal feed configuration
Crossfeed permits an engine to be fed from a tank on the opposite side of the aircraft, enabling fuel balancing and engine operation in the event of a fuel pump failure.
Aircraft bleed air, tapped from jet engine compressor stages, is primarily used for:
Answer: Cabin pressurization, air conditioning, and wing anti-icing
Bleed air extracted from the compressor provides the main source of airflow for cabin pressurization, environmental control, and thermal anti-icing of wing leading edges and engine inlets.
A constant-speed propeller governor maintains a selected RPM by automatically adjusting:
Answer: Propeller blade pitch to balance engine torque and aerodynamic load
The governor senses propeller RPM and adjusts blade pitch (increasing pitch in light load, decreasing in heavy load) to keep RPM constant as power demand changes.
The pressurization differential limit (max differential pressure) on a transport aircraft is primarily set by:
Answer: Structural limits of the fuselage pressure vessel
The maximum cabin differential pressure is determined by the structural design limit of the fuselage, which must withstand repeated pressurization cycles throughout the aircraft's service life.
In a typical transport category aircraft electrical system, the AC buses are normally powered by:
Answer: Engine-driven AC generators (alternators) synchronized to the same frequency
Large transport aircraft use engine-driven AC generators (integrated drive generators or variable-frequency generators) as the primary AC power source during normal flight.
What is the function of a transformer-rectifier unit (TRU) in an aircraft electrical system?
Answer: Converts AC generator output to DC for DC bus loads
A TRU steps down and rectifies AC generator output to provide regulated DC power for DC buses, battery charging, and DC-powered equipment.