CARC PPL Theory flashcards

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

VFR minima (controlled airspace)

Flight visibility 5 km, distance from cloud 1500 m horizontally and 300 m vertically. At or below 900 m AMSL, visibility 5 km and clear of cloud with surface in sight.

Wake turbulence separation

ICAO: heavy behind heavy 4 NM, medium behind heavy 5 NM, light behind heavy 6 NM, light behind medium 5 NM. Applies to take-off and landing.

Altimeter setting QNH

QNH is the pressure setting that makes the altimeter indicate altitude above mean sea level when on the ground at the aerodrome.

Carburettor icing conditions

Most likely at ambient temperatures between -5°C and +15°C with high relative humidity. Use carburettor heat as a preventive measure.

Magneto check

During run-up, switch each magneto off briefly; maximum drop typically 150 RPM, maximum difference between magnetos 50 RPM. Excessive drop indicates ignition problem.

Constant-speed propeller

A governor adjusts blade angle to maintain selected engine RPM. Oil pressure drives the blades to fine pitch; loss of oil pressure may cause high RPM.

Centre of gravity limits

Forward CG increases stability but reduces performance; aft CG reduces stability and can cause unrecoverable stall. CG must remain within certified limits throughout flight.

Take-off distance factors

Affected by mass, altitude, temperature, wind, runway slope and surface. Rule of thumb: increase distance 10% per 1000 ft elevation and 10% per 10°C above standard.

Fuel planning reserves

Include taxi, trip, contingency (5% of trip), alternate, final reserve (30 min VFR, 45 min IFR), and extra fuel. Total fuel must cover all phases.

Hypoxia symptoms

Euphoria, impaired judgement, headache, dizziness, tingling. Time of useful consciousness at 25,000 ft is 3-5 minutes; at 40,000 ft 15-20 seconds.

Spatial disorientation

Conflicting visual and vestibular inputs cause illusions such as somatogravic (false climb/descent) and somatogyral (false turn). Rely on flight instruments.

Decompression sickness

Nitrogen bubbles form in blood and tissues after rapid decompression or diving. Symptoms include joint pain, chest pain, neurological. Avoid flying 24 hours after diving.

ISA standard atmosphere

Sea level temperature 15°C, pressure 1013.25 hPa, temperature lapse rate 1.98°C per 1000 ft up to 36,090 ft.

Icing most severe range

Most severe icing occurs in cumuliform clouds at temperatures between 0°C and -15°C. Rime, clear, and mixed ice types.

Thunderstorm stages

Three stages: cumulus (updrafts), mature (updrafts and downdrafts, lightning, hail, turbulence), dissipating (downdrafts). Avoid by at least 20 NM.

Great circle vs rhumb line

Great circle is shortest path on a sphere; track changes continuously. Rhumb line maintains constant track, longer except at equator or meridians.

VOR radial

VOR provides magnetic bearing from station. CDI shows deviation; TO/FROM indicator shows whether aircraft is flying to or from station. Line of ambiguity perpendicular to selected radial.

ILS components

Localizer provides lateral guidance (108-112 MHz); glideslope provides vertical guidance (329.15-335 MHz); markers at outer, middle, inner; decision altitude/height.

Transponder codes

7700 emergency, 7600 radio failure, 7500 unlawful interference. Mode A identification, Mode C altitude, Mode S data link.

Pre-flight actions

Check weather, NOTAMs, aircraft documents, mass and balance, fuel, and perform walk-around. Ensure aircraft airworthy and flight can be conducted safely.

Engine failure after take-off

Establish glide, select landing site, attempt restart, MAYDAY call. Maintain control and avoid stall. Land straight ahead if below safe turn-back altitude.

Stabilised approach criteria

By 500 ft in IMC or 300 ft in VMC: on correct flight path, speed, configuration, and power. If not stabilised, go around.

Radio failure procedure

Squawk 7600; continue VFR and land at nearest suitable aerodrome; if IFR, follow published lost communication procedures. Monitor 121.5 MHz.

Lift formula

L = ½ ρ V² S CL. Lift increases with air density, velocity squared, wing area, and lift coefficient. CL increases with angle of attack up to critical angle.

Stall speed factors

Stall speed increases with weight, altitude, and load factor. Vs = Vs1g × √n where n is load factor. Stall occurs at critical angle of attack.

Induced vs parasite drag

Parasite drag increases with V²; induced drag decreases with V². Total drag minimum at best glide speed (L/D max).

Load factor in turns

Load factor n = 1/cos(bank angle). At 60° bank, n = 2. Limit load factor normal category 3.8g, utility 4.4g.

Phonetic alphabet

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo, Foxtrot, Golf, Hotel, India, Juliett, Kilo, Lima, Mike, November, Oscar, Papa, Quebec, Romeo, Sierra, Tango, Uniform, Victor, Whiskey, X-ray, Yankee, Zulu.

Standard phraseology

Roger (received), wilco (will comply), affirm (yes), negative (no), say again (repeat), standby (wait), unable (cannot comply).

Emergency calls

MAYDAY (distress) repeated three times; PAN-PAN (urgency) repeated three times. Include call sign, nature of emergency, position, altitude, intentions.

Read-back requirements

Read back clearances involving runway, altitude, heading, speed, and frequency. E.g., "Cleared to land runway 26, G-ABCD."

Position report format

Call sign, position, time, altitude, next position and ETA. Example: "G-ABCD, overhead Bovingdon, 10, 2500 feet, next Denham, ETA 12."