EASA PPL flashcards
EASA PPL · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- QNH
- The altimeter subscale setting that, when set on the ground at an aerodrome, causes the altimeter to indicate the aerodrome elevation above mean sea level.
- QFE
- The altimeter subscale setting that makes the altimeter read zero on the aerodrome, so it indicates height above the aerodrome reference point.
- Transition altitude
- The altitude at or below which the vertical position of an aircraft is controlled by reference to altitudes on the local QNH, above which flight levels are used.
- Critical angle of attack
- The angle of attack at which the wing produces maximum lift and beyond which the airflow separates, causing a stall regardless of airspeed or attitude.
- Induced drag
- Drag caused by the generation of lift, produced by the wingtip vortices and rearward tilt of the lift vector; it decreases as airspeed increases.
- Load factor
- The ratio of total lift to weight. In a level 60-degree bank it equals 2, which increases the stall speed by the square root of 2.
- Somatogravic illusion
- A false sensation of climbing or descending caused by linear acceleration or deceleration, typically during take-off acceleration or approach deceleration without visual references.
- Time of useful consciousness
- The period after loss of cabin pressure at a given altitude during which a pilot can still take corrective action before incapacitation; about 30-60 seconds at FL350.
- Hypoxia
- A deficiency of oxygen reaching the tissues, causing euphoria, impaired judgement, headache and cyanosis; treat by descending and using supplemental oxygen.
- 1 in 60 rule
- A track error of one nautical mile over a distance of 60 nautical miles corresponds to an angular error of one degree.
- Variation
- The angular difference between true north and magnetic north at a given location, shown on charts and applied when converting between true and magnetic directions.
- Deviation
- The angular difference between magnetic north and the aircraft's compass north, caused by the aircraft's own magnetic fields and read from the deviation card.
- Great circle
- The shortest path between two points on the surface of a sphere, formed by the intersection of the sphere with a plane through its centre.
- Cold front
- The boundary where a colder air mass advances under a warmer one, producing a narrow band of intense showers, turbulence and a rapid temperature drop.
- Cumulonimbus
- A deep convective cloud with strong updrafts and downdrafts, associated with thunderstorms, hail, severe turbulence and icing; avoid by a wide margin.
- Carburettor icing
- Ice forming in the carburettor venturi due to fuel vaporisation and pressure drop, most likely at outside air temperatures between about -7 and +21 degrees Celsius with high humidity.
- Detonation
- Uncontrolled, explosive combustion of the fuel-air mixture after spark ignition, causing high cylinder pressures and temperatures and possible engine damage.
- Density altitude
- The pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature; high density altitude reduces engine power, propeller thrust and wing lift, degrading performance.
- Centre of gravity
- The point where the aircraft's weight acts; it must remain within the forward and aft limits, as an aft position reduces stability and stall recovery margin.
- Final reserve fuel
- The fuel required to fly for a specified time (typically 30 minutes for VFR) at holding speed at 1500 feet above the aerodrome, kept as a minimum on landing.
- Crosswind component
- The component of the wind perpendicular to the runway centreline, calculated as wind speed multiplied by the sine of the angle between wind and runway.
- SERA.5001
- The EASA rule specifying VFR minimum flight visibility and cloud clearance requirements in different airspace classes and at different altitudes.
- Special VFR
- A clearance allowing VFR flight inside a control zone when weather is below VFR minima, requiring the pilot to remain clear of cloud and keep the surface in sight.
- Read-back requirement
- The obligation to repeat back ATC clearances and instructions, including runway, altimeter setting, heading and frequency, to confirm correct reception.
- MAYDAY
- The international radiotelephony distress signal, spoken three times, indicating an aircraft is threatened by serious or imminent danger and requiring immediate assistance.
- PAN-PAN
- The international radiotelephony urgency signal, spoken three times, indicating an urgent situation concerning the safety of an aircraft but not requiring immediate assistance.
- Transponder code 7700
- The SSR code selected to indicate a general distress or emergency situation, alerting ATC and triggering alarm responses.
- Wake turbulence
- Turbulence generated by wingtip vortices of heavy aircraft, strongest behind and below the generating aircraft; avoid by spacing and flying above the flight path.
- Go-around decision
- The decision, made by the decision altitude or height, to abandon the approach if the aircraft is not stabilised or the runway is not in sight.
- Pitot-static blockage
- A blockage of the static port causing the airspeed indicator to over-read in a climb and under-read in a descent, while the altimeter and VSI freeze or lag.
- Magnetic compass turning error
- An apparent turn of the compass during a bank in the northern hemisphere, caused by dip; it lags in a turn through north and leads through south.
- Standard atmosphere
- A reference atmosphere with sea level pressure 1013.25 hPa, temperature 15 degrees Celsius and a lapse rate of about 2 degrees Celsius per 1000 feet.