Mixed Deck — All SIFT Topics Flashcards

What is a 'NOTAM' in aviation?

Answer: Notice to Airmen — temporary notices about flight hazards, restrictions, or changes

A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is an official notice containing information about changes to aeronautical facilities, services, procedures, or hazards that pilots must know.

What is the cloud clearance requirement for VFR flight in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL during the day?

Answer: Clear of clouds

In Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL during daytime, VFR pilots only need to remain clear of clouds with 1 statute mile visibility.

Which component of a fixed-wing aircraft is responsible for roll control?

Answer: Ailerons

Ailerons are the primary roll control surfaces located on the trailing edge of each wing, working differentially to bank the aircraft.

Which material has the highest thermal conductivity (transmits heat best)?

Answer: Copper

Copper is an excellent thermal conductor, which is why it is used in heat sinks, cooking pans, and electrical wiring. Wood, glass, and rubber are much poorer conductors (good insulators).

What is 'mast bumping' and why is it dangerous?

Answer: Contact between the rotor hub and the rotor mast in semi-rigid rotor systems, which can cause blade separation

Mast bumping occurs in teetering rotor systems when the rotor hub contacts the mast, typically in low-G flight, and can rapidly lead to catastrophic blade separation.

What is the primary purpose of the collective pitch control in a helicopter?

Answer: To simultaneously change the pitch angle of all main rotor blades

The collective pitch control raises or lowers the pitch angle of all main rotor blades simultaneously, changing the total lift generated and controlling altitude.

What is the standard Army aviation crew communication protocol when approaching a potential obstacle?

Answer: Either crew member should immediately call out obstacles using clock position and distance

Army crew coordination doctrine requires any crew member who spots a hazard to immediately announce it using clock position and distance, as timely communication prevents accidents.

What does the term 'semi-monocoque' refer to in aircraft construction?

Answer: A fuselage structure where the skin shares stress loads with internal framework

Semi-monocoque construction uses a combination of an outer skin and internal structural members (frames, bulkheads, stringers) that share the stress loads.

From a cockpit view, mountains are visible on the left side and flat terrain on the right. The aircraft is in level flight heading north. Where are the mountains relative to the aircraft's track?

Answer: To the west of the flight path

Heading north with mountains on the left means the mountains are to the west (left when facing north).

What is the velocity ratio of a block-and-tackle system with 4 rope segments supporting the load?

Answer: 4

The velocity ratio equals the number of rope segments supporting the movable pulley. With 4 segments, for every 4 feet of rope pulled, the load rises only 1 foot.

What is the US Army's primary multi-mission helicopter, used for utility transport and assault operations?

Answer: UH-60 Black Hawk

The UH-60 Black Hawk is the Army's primary utility helicopter, used for troop transport, medical evacuation, and various other missions.

What is 'translational lift' in helicopter aerodynamics?

Answer: The extra lift generated when forward airspeed improves rotor efficiency at around 16-24 knots

Translational lift is the improvement in rotor efficiency and increase in lift that occurs when the helicopter moves at approximately 16-24 knots forward and leaves its own rotor downwash behind.

An outside view shows an aircraft with wings level, flying away from the viewer with the nose noticeably below the horizon. Which cockpit instrument picture matches?

Answer: Horizon level and above the center of the display

A nose-below-horizon attitude in level flight places the horizon line above the center of the attitude indicator.

Read: 'Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. High density altitude conditions—hot, humid, and high-elevation environments—reduce aircraft engine power and rotor efficiency, degrading helicopter performance.' In which environment would density altitude MOST negatively affect helicopter performance?

Answer: Hot, humid, high-elevation conditions

The passage explicitly lists hot, humid, and high-elevation environments as creating high density altitude conditions that degrade helicopter performance.

What is the significance of the color 'blue' on a VFR sectional chart when depicting airport symbols?

Answer: The airport has a control tower

On VFR sectional charts, airports with operating control towers are depicted in blue, while airports without towers are shown in magenta.

A figure shows three shapes: a pentagon with a dot inside, a triangle with a dot inside, and a circle with no dot. Which shape is the odd one out?

Answer: Circle

The pentagon and triangle both have a dot inside; the circle does not. The circle is different because it lacks the interior dot.

Which figure has rotational symmetry of order 4?

Answer: Square

A square looks identical after rotations of 90°, 180°, 270°, and 360°—giving it order-4 rotational symmetry.

Read: 'CRM (Crew Resource Management) failures are implicated in the majority of multi-crew aircraft accidents. Despite high individual skill levels, crews sometimes fail to communicate critical information, challenge incorrect decisions, or divide cockpit tasks effectively.' What is the passage's implication?

Answer: CRM failures can occur even among skilled pilots, making communication and task management critical for safety

The passage implies that skill alone is insufficient — CRM failures happen even with skilled individuals, making crew communication and coordination essential safety factors.

What is the purpose of the horizontal stabilizer on a helicopter?

Answer: To provide aerodynamic stability and reduce pitch oscillations

The horizontal stabilizer provides aerodynamic stability by countering the tendency of the nose to pitch up or down, reducing oscillations in forward flight.

A thrust is produced by

Answer: The engine(s) of a helicopter

Thrust is the force that propels an aircraft. In a helicopter, the engine(s) are responsible for generating the power that drives the main rotor system. It is the rotation of these main rotor blades, powered by the engine(s), that creates the aerodynamic forces, including both lift and thrust, necessary for flight.