Commercial Pilot Licence Aeroplane (CPAER) flashcards

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

Night definition

In Canadian aviation, night is the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published for the location.

Alcohol eight-hour rule

No person may act as a crew member within eight hours after consuming alcohol, while impaired by alcohol, or with a blood alcohol concentration above 0.08 percent.

Emergency squawk codes

Squawk 7700 for a general emergency, 7600 for radio communication failure, and 7500 for unlawful interference such as hijacking.

Right-of-way converging aircraft

When aircraft of the same category converge at about the same altitude, the aircraft on the right has the right of way; the other aircraft must give way.

Minimum altitude built-up area

Over a built-up area, an aircraft must be flown at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot radius of the aircraft.

VFR fuel reserve aeroplane

A VFR aeroplane flight must carry enough fuel to reach destination and then fly 30 minutes at normal cruising speed by day, or 45 minutes at night.

Pilot-in-command authority

The pilot-in-command is responsible for the operation and safety of the aircraft and may deviate from regulations to the extent necessary in an emergency.

Class C airspace clearance

No aircraft may enter Class C airspace without an air traffic control clearance; both VFR and IFR flights require the clearance.

Pressure altitude formula

Pressure altitude equals indicated altitude plus the altimeter-setting difference from 29.92 inches of mercury multiplied by 1,000 feet.

Density altitude formula

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

East variation rule

When converting true heading to magnetic heading, subtract east variation and add west variation; the memory aid is east is least and west is best.

Sixty-to-one rule

A one-degree angle subtends about one nautical mile at a distance of 60 nautical miles, which helps estimate wind correction and off-track error.

VOR radial definition

A VOR radial is a magnetic bearing extending outward from the station; with the CDI centered and FROM displayed, the aircraft is on the selected radial.

Great circle route

A great-circle route is the shortest distance between two points on a sphere; its true track changes continuously along the route.

Time en route formula

Time en route equals distance divided by groundspeed; fuel required equals time en route multiplied by the fuel burn rate.

Altimeter high-to-low rule

When flying from higher pressure to lower pressure without resetting the altimeter, the aircraft is lower than the altimeter indicates; the rule is high to low, look out below.

ISA sea-level values

International Standard Atmosphere sea-level values are 15 degrees Celsius, 29.92 inches of mercury, and a temperature lapse rate of about 1.98 degrees Celsius per 1,000 feet.

Convective cloud base estimate

Convective cloud base in feet above ground level is approximately 400 times the surface temperature-dew point spread in degrees Celsius.

Northern Hemisphere cyclone

In the Northern Hemisphere, a low-pressure cyclone has counterclockwise converging surface winds, while a high-pressure anticyclone has clockwise diverging surface winds.

Radiation fog formation

Radiation fog forms when the ground cools rapidly under clear skies and light winds, cooling the air above it to its dew point.

Advection fog formation

Advection fog forms when warm, moist air moves horizontally over a colder surface and is cooled to its dew point.

Freezing rain profile

Freezing rain occurs when snow falls through a warm layer aloft, melts, then falls through a subfreezing layer near the surface without refreezing before impact.

Thunderstorm mature stage

The mature stage of a thunderstorm contains strong updrafts and downdrafts, heavy rain, hail, lightning, and gust fronts, making it the most hazardous stage.

Temperature-dew point spread

As the temperature-dew point spread decreases toward zero, relative humidity approaches 100 percent and cloud, fog, or precipitation becomes more likely.

Level turn load factor

In a level turn, load factor equals one divided by the cosine of the bank angle; a 60-degree bank produces a load factor of two.

Stall speed and load factor

Stall speed increases with the square root of load factor; doubling load factor raises stall speed by about 41 percent.

Moment and CG formula

Moment equals weight multiplied by arm, and center of gravity equals total moment divided by total weight.

Vx and Vy definitions

Vx is the speed for best angle of climb, while Vy is the speed for best rate of climb; Vx increases with altitude and equals Vy at the absolute ceiling.

Forward CG effects

A forward center of gravity increases longitudinal stability but increases stall speed, reduces climb performance, and may require more elevator force.

Density altitude effects

Increasing density altitude reduces engine power and propeller thrust, increases takeoff distance, and reduces climb rate for a given aircraft weight.

Adverse yaw cause

Adverse yaw is yaw opposite the intended turn caused by increased drag on the descending aileron; coordinated rudder is used to counteract it.

Wake turbulence avoidance

Wake turbulence is strongest behind heavy, slow, clean aircraft; avoid it by flying above and upwind of the flight path and allowing time for dissipation.