JCAA ATPL Theory flashcards

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

V1 decision speed

Speed at or below which a rejected takeoff can be safely stopped on the remaining runway; above V1 the takeoff must continue even if an engine fails.

QNH versus QFE

QNH is altimeter setting that reads aerodrome elevation on the ground; QFE is set so altimeter reads zero at the aerodrome reference point.

Critical Mach number

Free-stream Mach number at which airflow somewhere on the airframe first reaches Mach 1, causing shock waves and drag rise.

RVSM airspace

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum airspace from FL290 to FL410 where 1000 ft vertical separation applies; aircraft must be approved and height-keeping capable.

Bypass ratio

Ratio of mass airflow through the fan bypass duct to mass airflow through the engine core; high values improve propulsive efficiency and reduce noise.

Hypoxic hypoxia

Reduced oxygen partial pressure in the lungs, typically from high cabin altitude; treated with supplemental oxygen or descent.

Great circle distance

Shortest path on a sphere; one minute of arc along a great circle equals one nautical mile; distance = 60 x angular separation in degrees.

MAYDAY call

Distress signal transmitted three times, indicating grave and imminent danger; priority over all other transmissions on 121.5 MHz.

Transition altitude

Altitude at or below which altimeters are set to QNH; above it, standard pressure 1013.25 hPa is used for flight levels.

Somatogravic illusion

False sensation of climbing during linear acceleration, caused by otolith organs responding to combined gravity and acceleration vector.

Induced drag

Drag component from lift generation, proportional to lift squared divided by dynamic pressure and span efficiency; largest at low speed and high weight.

V2 takeoff safety speed

Minimum speed at which the aircraft can climb with one engine inoperative while meeting required climb gradient; maintained to acceleration altitude.

ILS glideslope

Vertical guidance beam typically at 3 degrees, giving about 300 ft per nautical mile descent; localizer provides lateral guidance at 90/150 Hz.

Fukuoka FIR

Japan's main flight information region (RJJJ) covering the Japanese archipelago; controlled by JCAB ATC and provides air traffic services.

Clear ice

Dense, glossy ice formed by large supercooled droplets at temperatures between 0 and -10 C; most hazardous due to weight and aerodynamic effects.

TCAS RA response

Pilot must respond within about 5 seconds to a resolution advisory, following vertical speed commands even if contrary to ATC clearance.

Load factor

Ratio of lift to weight; in a level turn n = 1/cos(bank); stall speed increases by the square root of n.

Pressure altitude

Altitude indicated when altimeter is set to 1013.25 hPa; used for flight levels and performance computations independent of local pressure.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature; high density altitude reduces takeoff, climb, and engine performance.

VOR radial

Magnetic bearing from the VOR station; the CDI centers when the OBS is set to the aircraft's radial, with TO/FROM indicating direction.

Time of useful consciousness

Duration of effective mental function after loss of oxygen; about 30-60 seconds at FL350 and 15-20 seconds at FL400.

Adverse yaw

Yaw opposite to roll direction caused by aileron drag; countered with coordinated rudder input during turns.

ASDA

Accelerate-stop distance available: TORA plus stopway; used to determine maximum speed from which a rejected takeoff can be stopped.

PAN PAN call

Urgency signal transmitted three times, indicating a condition concerning safety but not requiring immediate assistance; lower priority than MAYDAY.

Squawk 7600

SSR code indicating radio communication failure; accompanied by maintaining last assigned speed and route per published procedures.

TRU

Transformer rectifier unit converts 115 V AC to 28 V DC for DC buses and battery charging on transport aircraft.

Buys Ballot law

In the Northern Hemisphere, with back to wind, low pressure lies to the left; used to locate pressure centres from surface wind.

Position report contents

Callsign, position, time, flight level or altitude, next position and ETA, and the significant point following that.

Static port blockage

Blocked static port causes airspeed to read like an altimeter and altimeter to freeze; alternate static source causes altitude over-read.

Emergency descent

Rapid descent after depressurization using maximum structural speed or Mmo, oxygen masks on, to 10,000 ft or minimum safe altitude.

JCAB

Japan Civil Aviation Bureau, the national aviation authority under MLIT, responsible for licensing, certification, and AIP Japan publication.

Vortex generators

Small vanes that energize the boundary layer to delay flow separation, improving control effectiveness and reducing stall speed.

ETOPS fuel

Additional fuel required for diversion to an en-route alternate at one-engine-inoperative cruise, based on approved diversion time.