ANAC Private Pilot Airplane (PPA) (ANAC) flashcards

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

Right-of-way converging

When two aircraft of the same category converge at roughly the same level, the aircraft that has the other on its right gives way.

Semi-circular rule

Above 900 m AMSL, magnetic tracks 000–179 use odd flight levels and 180–359 use even flight levels, separating traffic on opposing tracks.

ATC clearance meaning

An authorization for a proposed action; it does not relieve the pilot-in-command of responsibility for terrain clearance or compliance with the rules of the air.

Four-stroke cycle

Intake, compression, power and exhaust; the crankshaft turns twice per complete cycle, so each cylinder fires once every two revolutions.

Detonation versus pre-ignition

Detonation is explosive uncontrolled combustion after spark; pre-ignition is ignition before the spark. Both raise cylinder temperature and pressure and can damage the engine.

Carburettor ice conditions

Most likely with ambient temperatures between about -10 °C and +20 °C and high humidity, especially at low power; indicated by unexplained RPM loss.

Load factor in level turn

n = 1/cos(bank angle); at 60° bank the load factor is 2 and the stall speed rises by about 41%.

Blocked static source

The airspeed indicator over-reads in climb and under-reads in descent; the altimeter freezes and the vertical speed indicator lags or reads zero.

Density altitude formula

Density altitude equals pressure altitude plus 120 times the difference between outside air temperature and ISA temperature at that level.

CG shift calculation

CG position equals total moment divided by total weight; adding weight aft of the datum moves the CG aft by the added moment divided by the new total weight.

Headwind component

The headwind component equals wind speed multiplied by the cosine of the angle between the wind direction and the runway direction.

VFR final reserve

Day VFR fuel planning normally includes a final reserve of 30 minutes at holding power, plus trip, taxi, contingency and alternate fuel as required.

Time of useful consciousness

The period of adequate function after loss of oxygen supply; it falls from minutes at 5500 m to seconds at 7600 m without supplemental oxygen.

Spatial disorientation

The vestibular system cannot sense a coordinated slow roll or sustained turn; the pilot must cross-check instruments rather than trust body sensations.

Night vision technique

Rod cells away from the fovea are more sensitive in dim light, so look about 10–15° off-centre to see faint objects at night.

Hazardous attitudes

Anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho and resignation; each has an antidote, such as following rules or asking whether the risk is worth it.

Standard sea-level values

ISA sea level is 15 °C and 1013.25 hPa, with a lapse rate of about 2 °C per 1000 ft up to the tropopause.

Cloud base estimate

Cloud base in feet is approximately the temperature-dew point spread in degrees Celsius multiplied by 400.

QNH versus QFE

QNH is pressure reduced to sea level and gives altitude above mean sea level; QFE is the pressure at the aerodrome reference point and gives height above it.

Structural icing risk

Most likely in freezing rain or cloud at 0 °C to -20 °C; clear ice forms from large supercooled drops and rime ice from small droplets.

One-in-sixty rule

A one-degree heading error produces about one nautical mile of track error for every 60 nautical miles flown.

VOR radial meaning

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

RAIM purpose

Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring checks GPS satellite signal integrity; loss of RAIM means the position cannot be trusted for the intended operation.

Transponder emergency codes

Code 7700 signals emergency, 7600 signals radio failure and 7500 signals unlawful interference; Mode C reports pressure altitude.

Best angle versus best rate

Vx gives the greatest height gained per unit of horizontal distance and clears obstacles; Vy gives the greatest height gained per unit of time.

Engine failure after take-off

Establish best glide, choose a landing area within gliding range, then attempt restart; avoid turning back below a safe altitude.

Lost procedure five C's

Circle, Climb, Conserve, Communicate and Comply; climb for reception and ask for assistance rather than pressing on.

Stall critical angle

The stall occurs at the critical angle of attack regardless of speed; stall speed rises with weight and load factor and falls with flaps.

Induced drag relation

Induced drag coefficient equals lift coefficient squared divided by pi times aspect ratio times Oswald efficiency, so induced drag falls as speed rises.

Adverse yaw cause

The descending aileron produces more induced drag on the rising wing, yawing the aircraft away from the turn; coordinated rudder counters it.

MAYDAY call content

MAYDAY spoken three times, then callsign, nature of distress, position, altitude, heading, speed, intentions and persons on board.

Position report format

Callsign, position and time, altitude or level, next position and estimated time over it, plus any other relevant information.