FAA Private Pilot - Gyroplane (PRG) flashcards

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

Gyroplane minimum total time

A private pilot gyroplane certificate requires at least 40 hours total flight time, including 20 hours in gyroplanes.

Solo flight requirement

At least 5 hours of solo gyroplane flight, including 3 takeoffs and landings, are required for the private pilot gyroplane certificate.

Flight review interval

A flight review of at least 1 hour ground and 1 hour flight training is required every 24 calendar months to act as pilot in command.

Passenger currency

Three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days in the same category, class, and type are required to carry passengers.

Autorotation

The rotor is driven by air flowing upward through the disc rather than by engine power, so lift continues after engine failure.

Dissymmetry of lift

The advancing blade produces more lift than the retreating blade; flapping and cyclic feathering balance lift across the disc.

Flap-back

As airspeed increases, the rotor disc tilts rearward, reducing the angle between the disc and the relative wind.

Power pushover (bunt)

Unloading the rotor with abrupt forward cyclic or negative G can cause the gyroplane to pitch forward uncontrollably.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature; high values reduce rotor and engine performance and lengthen takeoff distance.

Aft CG hazard

A center of gravity behind the aft limit reduces stability and increases the risk of power pushover.

Fuel reserve

Plan at least 30 minutes of reserve fuel for day VFR and 45 minutes for night VFR beyond the destination.

Standard lapse rate

Temperature decreases about 2 degrees Celsius per 1,000 feet in the standard atmosphere, with sea level at 15°C.

AIRMET vs SIGMET

AIRMETs cover moderate hazards such as turbulence or icing; SIGMETs cover severe or extreme hazards that affect all aircraft.

Wind shear risk

Low-level wind shear can cause sudden airspeed and altitude changes, especially during takeoff and landing in a gyroplane.

Sectional chart scale

Sectional charts use a scale of 1:500,000, so one inch on the chart equals about 6.86 nautical miles.

True vs magnetic heading

Magnetic heading equals true heading minus magnetic variation; compass heading also accounts for deviation.

Pilotage and dead reckoning

Pilotage navigates by visual landmarks; dead reckoning computes heading, time, and speed from wind and course data.

Class A airspace

Class A begins at 18,000 feet MSL and requires an IFR clearance and a Mode C transponder.

Class B entry

Class B airspace requires an explicit ATC clearance before entry; Class C and D require established two-way radio communication.

Emergency squawk codes

Squawk 7700 for emergencies, 7600 for radio failure, and 7500 for hijacking.

Standard traffic pattern

The standard pattern is left-hand; entry is at pattern altitude on the downwind leg at 45 degrees to the midpoint.

Right-of-way order

Aircraft in distress first, then balloons, gliders, airships, towing aircraft, and powered aircraft; converging aircraft give way to the right.

Wake turbulence avoidance

Wake vortices are strongest behind heavy, slow, clean aircraft; land beyond the touchdown point and stay above the flight path.

Prerotator purpose

The prerotator spins the rotor before takeoff; rotor RPM must reach the manufacturer's minimum before brake release.

Rotor blade inspection

Preflight must check blades for cracks, delamination, and leading-edge damage, and verify hub bolts and control freedom.

Experimental condition inspection

Experimental aircraft require a condition inspection within the preceding 12 calendar months by an authorized person.

Engine failure procedure

Maintain rotor RPM, establish an autorotative descent to a suitable landing area, and flare near the ground to cushion touchdown.

Rotor RPM decay

Lower the nose to increase airflow through the disc and reduce load to restore rotor RPM.

In-flight fire

Shut off the fuel, execute a forced landing, and evacuate after landing; do not restart the engine.

IMSAFE checklist

Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Emotion are assessed before flight to confirm fitness.

DECIDE model

Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, and Evaluate is a structured process for in-flight decision making.

Alcohol rule

No flying within 8 hours of drinking, with a blood alcohol level of 0.04% or higher, or while under the influence.