Aircraft General Knowledge: Airframe, Systems, Powerplant, Electrics
Airframe and flight controls
Know the primary structure and how loads travel: spar, ribs, skin, stringers, and the difference between a semi-monocoque and a truss structure. Understand the control chain from cockpit to surface, the purpose of mass balance and hinge moment, and why control locks and gust locks matter. Learn the distinction between primary (aileron, elevator, rudder), secondary (flap, trim) and auxiliary controls, and the effect of a jammed or disconnected control.
Systems
Study the fuel system (tanks, selector, vents, priming, gravity feed versus pump feed), the lubrication and cooling systems, and the hydraulic and pneumatic systems if fitted. For the powerplant, know the four-stroke cycle, the purpose of mixture and carburettor heat, detonation versus pre-ignition, and the meaning of manifold pressure and RPM limits. Understand constant-speed propeller operation and the effect of a governor failure.
Electrics
Know the basic circuit: battery, alternator/generator, voltage regulator, bus, fuses and circuit breakers. Learn what happens when the alternator fails (battery only, load shedding, reduced endurance), the meaning of an ammeter versus a voltmeter, and the risk of a thermal runaway or a stuck starter. Understand magneto operation and why the engine keeps running with the master switch off.
Traps
Questions often test the difference between detonation and pre-ignition, what carburettor icing does to mixture and RPM, and why the engine continues after the master switch is turned off. Another trap is confusing the ammeter reading with battery condition.
Worked example
If the ammeter shows a continuous discharge in flight, assume alternator failure: shed non-essential load, reduce electrical demand, and plan to land before battery endurance is exhausted. Rule of thumb: a discharging ammeter with the engine running means the battery is supplying the bus.