DGAC Bolivia Private Pilot (PPA) flashcards

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

Private pilot licence privilege

Under DGAC rules a private pilot may fly without compensation or hire, carrying passengers only when rated, current, and medically fit; commercial operations require a commercial licence.

Certificate of airworthiness

Document confirming the aircraft meets its approved type design and is maintained per approved programmes; flight without a valid certificate of airworthiness is prohibited.

QNH versus QFE

QNH set on the altimeter reads elevation above mean sea level at the aerodrome; QFE reads height above the aerodrome reference point, usually zero on landing.

Variation and deviation

Variation is the local angle between true and magnetic north from the chart; deviation is the aircraft compass error read from the compass correction card.

Critical angle of attack

The angle of attack at which airflow separates from the wing and lift drops sharply; stall always occurs at this angle regardless of speed, weight, or bank.

Load factor in turns

Ratio of lift to weight; it is 1 g in level flight, 2 g at 60 degrees bank, and raises stall speed by the square root of the load factor.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature; higher density altitude reduces engine power, propeller thrust, and climb performance, lengthening takeoff distances.

Centre of gravity formula

Centre of gravity equals total moment divided by total weight; each item's moment is its weight multiplied by its arm from the datum.

MAYDAY call

International distress signal transmitted three times to declare grave and imminent danger; it takes priority over all other transmissions and includes position, nature of distress, and intentions.

Squawk 7700

Transponder code selected to alert ATC of an emergency; 7600 signals radio failure and 7500 signals unlawful interference.

Hypoxia signs

Euphoria, headache, impaired judgement, cyanosis, and tingling; onset may be unnoticed, so use supplemental oxygen when required and descend if symptoms appear.

Spatial disorientation

A false perception of aircraft attitude caused by conflicting vestibular and visual cues; in instrument conditions the pilot must rely on flight instruments, not body sensations.

Carburettor icing

Ice forming in the venturi and throttle area when fuel vaporisation and pressure drop chill moist air below freezing; carburettor heat restores power with a temporary further loss.

Blocked static port

A blocked static source corrupts airspeed, altimeter, and vertical speed indications; the alternate static source typically makes airspeed and altimeter read high.

VY best rate of climb

Airspeed giving the greatest altitude gain per unit time; it is used for normal climb and gives the best obstacle clearance over time.

VX best angle of climb

Airspeed giving the greatest altitude gain per unit horizontal distance; it is used to clear obstacles close to the departure end of the runway.

1-in-60 rule

A 1-degree track error displaces the aircraft 1 NM after 60 NM flown; correction angle equals 60 times the off-track distance divided by distance flown.

VOR radial

A magnetic bearing from the VOR station; the CDI centres when the selected radial matches the aircraft's bearing from the station.

Standard atmosphere

Sea-level pressure 1013.25 hPa, temperature 15 C, and a lapse rate near 2 C per 1000 ft; it is the reference for pressure altitude and performance charts.

Cold front passage

A sharp wind shift, temperature drop, squall lines, and thunderstorms mark passage; the front moves fast and produces rapid weather changes.

Induced versus parasite drag

Induced drag falls as airspeed rises while parasite drag rises with the square of airspeed; total drag is least at the best lift-to-drag speed.

Dihedral effect

Upward wing angle gives lateral stability; a sideslip raises the lower wing's angle of attack, creating a rolling moment that restores level flight.

Weight and balance limit

The centre of gravity must stay within forward and aft limits; an aft exceedance reduces stability and a forward exceedance raises stall speed and landing distance.

Fuel reserve

Fuel required beyond trip fuel by regulation for contingencies and diversion; it is a legal minimum and is not available for normal flight planning.

Night vision adaptation

Rods need about 30 minutes of darkness to adapt; bright light, smoking, and alcohol degrade dark adaptation and peripheral vision at night.

Carbon monoxide risk

Exhaust leakage through the heater causes headache, drowsiness, and impaired judgement; suspect it when cabin air smells of exhaust and ventilate immediately.

Pitot-static sources

The pitot tube supplies impact pressure to the airspeed indicator; the static port supplies ambient pressure to airspeed, altimeter, and vertical speed indicators.

Four-stroke cycle

Intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes complete one cycle; the power stroke delivers work and the crankshaft converts it to rotation.

Go-around procedure

Apply full power, carburettor heat cold, establish positive climb, retract flaps in stages, and confirm climb before turning; use when an approach is not stabilised.

Wake turbulence avoidance

Stay above and upwind of the preceding aircraft's path, land beyond its touchdown point, and lift off before its rotation point to avoid its wake vortices.

Radio failure VFR

Squawk 7600, remain in VFR conditions, land at the nearest suitable aerodrome, and report to ATS; do not enter controlled airspace without clearance.

PAN-PAN call

Urgency signal transmitted three times for urgent situations not involving imminent danger; it has priority below MAYDAY but above routine traffic.