CARC ATPL Theory flashcards

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

Chicago Convention Article 5

Non-scheduled flights may transit or make non-traffic stops in another state without prior permission, but that state may require notification and may impose conditions for safety.

Uncertainty phase

A distress phase declared when an aircraft has not reported at its expected time and its position is not established; search and rescue communications begin.

Semi-monocoque structure

A stressed-skin airframe in which the skin carries most shear and tension loads while stringers and frames stabilise it and carry concentrated loads.

Oleo strut

A landing-gear shock absorber using oil forced through an orifice and compressed gas to dissipate landing energy as heat and return the aircraft to static extension.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for temperature deviation from ISA, calculated as pressure altitude plus 120 times the OAT minus ISA temperature in degrees Celsius.

Clearway

A defined area beyond the take-off run available, free of obstacles, over which an aircraft may climb to 35 ft; it extends TODA but not ASDA.

Time of useful consciousness

The interval between loss of oxygen supply and the ability to take protective action; at FL350 it is about 30 to 60 seconds.

Somatogravic illusion

A false sensation of pitching up during rapid acceleration, or pitching down during deceleration, caused by linear acceleration stimulating the otolith organs.

QNH

The altimeter subscale setting that, when set on the ground at the aerodrome, indicates aerodrome elevation; it is the pressure reduced to mean sea level.

Freezing rain

Supercooled water falling from a warm layer aloft into sub-zero air; it freezes on impact and causes severe airframe icing, especially on the leading edges.

Great circle

The shortest path between two points on the Earth's surface, formed by a plane through the centre; its track direction changes continuously along the route.

RAIM

Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring; a GNSS function that detects and excludes faulty satellite signals, and its availability must be checked before non-precision approaches.

Stabilised approach

An approach in which the aircraft is on the correct track, at the correct speed and configuration, with the landing checklist complete by 1000 ft in IMC.

Final reserve fuel

The fuel required to hold for 30 minutes at 1500 ft above the alternate aerodrome for turbine aircraft; it must remain on board at landing.

Critical angle of attack

The angle at which airflow separates from the wing and lift decreases; the stall occurs at this angle regardless of speed, weight, or bank.

Best glide speed

The speed at which the lift-to-drag ratio is maximum, giving the greatest distance for a given height loss; it increases with weight.

MAYDAY

The international radiotelephony distress signal, transmitted three times, indicating that an aircraft is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.

Squawk 7600

The transponder code selected after a radio communication failure; the aircraft then follows the published lost-communication procedure for its flight rules.

Annex 13 accident

An occurrence involving fatality or serious injury, substantial aircraft damage, or an aircraft missing, associated with aircraft operation.

Semicircular rule

A cruising-level rule at or above 3000 ft AMSL: magnetic tracks 000 to 179 use odd thousands, and 180 to 359 use even thousands.

Turbine thrust

Thrust equals mass flow multiplied by the difference between jet and flight velocities, plus any pressure thrust from the exhaust nozzle.

Beta range

A propeller control range on the ground in which blade angle is set directly, allowing flat pitch for taxi and reverse pitch for braking.

Balanced field length

The runway length at which the accelerate-stop distance equals the take-off distance to 35 ft, giving the shortest field for a given weight.

Crosswind component

The component of wind perpendicular to the runway, calculated as wind speed multiplied by the sine of the angle between wind and runway.

Hyperventilation

Excessive breathing that lowers blood carbon dioxide, causing cerebral vasoconstriction, dizziness, and tingling; oxygen is given first because it mimics hypoxia.

Rods and night vision

Retinal rods provide night vision, are most sensitive about 20 degrees off-centre, adapt over 30 to 45 minutes, and are degraded by bright light and smoking.

ISA lapse rate

A standard atmosphere temperature decrease of 1.98 degrees Celsius per 1000 ft up to the tropopause at 11 km, above which temperature is constant.

Geostrophic wind

Wind flowing parallel to straight isobars at upper levels where the pressure gradient force balances the Coriolis force; surface friction turns it across isobars.

Mercator chart

A cylindrical projection on which rhumb lines plot as straight lines and great circles as curves; scale increases with latitude, making it unsuitable near the poles.

VOR radial

The magnetic bearing from a VOR station; selecting a radial on the OBS and centring the CDI with a FROM indication confirms the aircraft is on that radial.

Take-off alternate

An aerodrome to which a flight may divert if it cannot land at the departure aerodrome, required when destination weather is below landing minima.

Emergency descent

A rapid descent, usually after decompression, with oxygen masks on and maximum permitted speed, following the published procedure and broadcasting a distress call.

Load factor in a turn

In a level turn the load factor equals one divided by the cosine of the bank angle; at 60 degrees it is 2 and stall speed rises by 1.41.

Critical Mach number

The free-stream Mach number at which local airflow over some part of the aircraft first reaches Mach 1, beginning shock-wave formation and drag rise.

PAN PAN

The radiotelephony urgency signal, transmitted three times, indicating a condition concerning safety but not requiring immediate assistance.

Position report contents

Callsign, position and time, altitude, next position and estimated time over it, and any other information such as the next significant point.