Aircraft Systems and Performance Flashcards

What is the purpose of the aircraft's primer system?

Answer: To inject fuel directly into the cylinders for easier cold-weather starting

The primer pumps fuel directly into the cylinders or intake manifold to enrich the mixture for cold engine starting.

At what altitude does a normally aspirated engine lose approximately 3% of its power for every 1,000 feet gained?

Answer: From sea level upward

A normally aspirated engine loses roughly 3% of its rated power for each 1,000 feet of altitude gain starting from sea level.

What does the VSO airspeed indicate on the airspeed indicator?

Answer: Stalling speed in the landing configuration

VSO is the stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration (gear down, flaps fully extended).

Which fuel system component prevents vapor lock by maintaining positive fuel pressure to the carburetor?

Answer: Electric boost pump

An electric boost pump maintains fuel pressure and helps prevent vapor lock, especially during hot-weather operations.

What happens to density altitude on a hot, humid day at a given field elevation?

Answer: Density altitude increases above field elevation

High temperature and high humidity both reduce air density, causing density altitude to rise above the actual field elevation.

What is the function of the aircraft's magneto?

Answer: To generate high-voltage electrical sparks to ignite the fuel-air mixture

Magnetos are self-contained ignition generators that produce high-voltage electricity to fire the spark plugs, independent of the aircraft battery.

What is the effect of lowering flaps on an aircraft's stall speed?

Answer: Stall speed decreases because flaps increase lift at lower airspeeds

Lowering flaps increases lift coefficient, allowing the wing to generate sufficient lift at a lower airspeed, thus reducing stall speed.