Bahrain CAA PPL flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

QNH

The altimeter setting that, when set on the subscale, causes the altimeter to indicate elevation above mean sea level when the aircraft is on the ground.

Class C airspace

Controlled airspace in which IFR aircraft are separated from all other IFR and VFR aircraft, and VFR aircraft receive traffic information about other VFR flights.

Detonation

Uncontrolled, explosive combustion of the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder, causing a sharp pressure rise, high temperatures, and possible engine damage.

Carburettor icing

Ice formation in the carburettor venturi caused by fuel vaporisation and pressure drop cooling, most likely at ambient temperatures between -7°C and +21°C with high humidity.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature; it determines aircraft performance and increases take-off distance and reduces climb rate as it rises.

1 in 60 rule

A track error of one degree over 60 nautical miles produces one nautical mile of lateral displacement; the rule is used to estimate track error and closing angle.

Time of useful consciousness

The period between loss of oxygen supply and the point at which a pilot becomes unable to take corrective action; approximately 20-30 minutes at FL180 and 15-20 seconds at FL400.

Somatogravic illusion

A false sensation of climbing during acceleration, caused by the otolith organs responding to linear acceleration as if it were a pitch change.

QFE

The altimeter setting that causes the altimeter to read zero when the aircraft is on the ground at the aerodrome reference point.

SIGMET

A meteorological information message issued for hazardous conditions to all aircraft, including severe turbulence, icing, volcanic ash, and thunderstorms.

Magnetic variation

The angle between true north and magnetic north at a given location; easterly variation is subtracted from true bearing to obtain magnetic bearing.

VOR radial

The magnetic bearing from a VOR station; a FROM indication means the aircraft is flying away from the station on the selected radial.

Squawk 7700

The transponder code selected to indicate a general emergency; it alerts ATC and other aircraft that the flight requires immediate assistance.

Go-around decision

The decision to discontinue an approach when the aircraft is not stabilised by 500 ft AGL in IMC or 300 ft AGL in VMC, or by operator minima.

Critical angle of attack

The angle of attack at which the airflow separates from the wing and lift decreases; a stall occurs at this angle regardless of weight, bank, or airspeed.

Load factor

The ratio of lift to weight; in a level turn it equals 1/cos(bank), so at 60° bank the load factor is 2g and stall speed increases by sqrt(2).

Mayday call

A distress call transmitted three times, followed by callsign, nature of distress, position, altitude, intentions, and souls on board.

Readability scale

A five-point scale used in radio communication: 1 unreadable, 2 readable now and then, 3 readable with difficulty, 4 readable, 5 perfectly readable.

Thunderstorm life cycle

Three stages: cumulus (updrafts only), mature (updrafts and downdrafts, hail, lightning), and dissipating (downdrafts only).

Freezing rain

Supercooled water droplets that freeze on impact with the aircraft; it indicates a warm front with a temperature inversion and is a severe icing hazard.

Isogonal line

A line on a chart connecting points of equal magnetic variation; the agonic line has zero variation.

ILS localiser

The component of an instrument landing system that provides lateral guidance on frequencies between 108.10 and 111.95 MHz, using odd tenths.

Engine failure after take-off

Maintain control, pitch for best glide, select a landing site within 30° of the nose, and do not turn back below 500 ft AGL.

Precautionary landing

A landing made when continuing the flight is inadvisable; overfly the field at 500 ft to inspect the surface and obstacles, then fly a circuit and land into wind.

Aspect ratio

The ratio of the square of the wingspan to the wing area; a higher aspect ratio reduces induced drag.

Dutch roll

A coupled yaw-roll oscillation of the aircraft; yaw dampers are installed to suppress it.

DECIDE model

A decision-making framework: Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, and Evaluate; used for in-flight problem solving.

Controlled rest

A regulated period of rest on the flight deck, permitted under operator procedures, used to manage fatigue on long flights.

Right-of-way rules

The less manoeuvrable aircraft has priority; head-on, both turn right; an overtaking aircraft passes on the right; an aircraft on final approach has priority.

Special VFR

A clearance that allows VFR flight in controlled airspace with reduced visibility and distance from cloud, subject to ATC approval.

Pitot tube blockage

A blockage causes the airspeed indicator to act like an altimeter, reading higher as altitude increases because trapped pressure remains constant.

AVGAS 100LL

Aviation gasoline dyed blue, with a low lead content; it must never be mixed with jet fuel, which is clear or straw-coloured.