FAA commercial helicopter pilot theory foundations flashcards
FAA commercial helicopter pilot theory foundations · Build recall with a focused review session.
27 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Dissymmetry of lift
- Unequal aerodynamic loading associated with different relative airflow on advancing and retreating rotor sides in the stated condition, if uncompensated.
- Flapping
- Blade motion above and below the defined rotor reference, accommodated by the actual hub design and distinguished from pitch change and lead-lag.
- Lead-lag
- Blade movement in the rotor plane relative to its reference position, distinguished from vertical flapping or rotation about the feathering axis.
- Coning
- The upward rotor-blade geometry resulting from the balance of aerodynamic and centrifugal effects in the actual condition, not an arbitrary rigging angle.
- Autorotation
- Rotor operation driven by the relevant airflow rather than engine torque, requiring the actual aircraft procedure for any real maneuver.
- Collective pitch
- The control function changing main-rotor blade pitch together in the defined system, distinguished from azimuth-dependent cyclic variation.
- Cyclic pitch
- Variation of blade pitch with rotor azimuth to control rotor behavior, interpreted through the actual phase and control architecture.
- Freewheeling unit
- An overrun mechanism permitting the rotor and relevant engine input to rotate at different speeds as designed rather than rigidly locking them together.
- Swashplate
- The rotating/nonrotating interface transmitting the defined collective and cyclic control inputs through the actual links to rotor blade pitch mechanisms.
- Mixing unit
- A mechanism combining defined control commands to manage their interactions, not an independent guarantee of correct trim or control margin.
- Correlator
- A linkage relating power-control movement to collective movement in the defined installation, distinguished from closed-loop speed feedback that corrects actual RPM error.
- Governor
- A control function using the relevant feedback to regulate the selected speed or parameter within its actual authority and limits.
- Hover ceiling
- A performance boundary for the specified hover condition, weight and atmosphere, not a universal permission to depart any confined or elevated site.
- Center of gravity
- The location found from total moment divided by total weight in a consistent datum system, requiring comparison with all relevant approved boundaries.
- Height-velocity diagram
- An aircraft-specific representation of relevant height and airspeed conditions affecting power-loss landing capability under its actual assumptions and limitations.
- Dew point
- The temperature to which air must be cooled under the specified conditions to reach saturation, distinguished from a direct prediction of existing fog.
- Environmental lapse rate
- The observed or supplied temperature change with height in the atmosphere, compared with a lifted parcel's cooling rate when assessing stability.
- Conditional instability
- A stability condition where an unsaturated lifted parcel and a saturated lifted parcel have different buoyancy responses under the given lapse rates.
- Advection fog
- Fog associated with moist air moving over a colder surface, distinguished from a requirement for exclusively night-time surface cooling.
- Groundspeed
- Aircraft speed relative to the ground along the stated motion, distinguished from speed through the air or an uncorrected indicated airspeed.
- Pilotage
- Navigation using visible features and charted references to establish position, requiring reliable identification and continued awareness of terrain and obstacles.
- Usable fuel
- Fuel available for the specified use under the aircraft definition, distinguished from total tank contents or a quantity that includes unusable fuel.
- Confirmation bias
- Favoring evidence that supports an existing belief while discounting conflicting evidence, rather than neutrally testing the belief against available observations.
- Plan-continuation bias
- A tendency to persist with an original plan despite cues that reconsideration or a change is needed, especially under commitment or completion pressure.
- Fixation
- Concentrating on one indication or problem while neglecting other essential information, reducing awareness despite apparently intense attention to a task.
- Pilot in command
- The person with the defined responsibility and final operational authority, whose duties remain distinct from equipment capability and air traffic clearance.
- Regulatory minimum
- The applicable minimum condition under a specific rule, not an assurance that no additional margin is needed for actual circumstances.