KCAA Flight Engineer flashcards

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

V1 decision speed

The speed at which a critical engine failure is recognized; before V1 the takeoff is aborted, after V1 it must continue because stopping may not be possible on the remaining runway.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. It rises with high temperature, high elevation, and low pressure, increasing true airspeed and takeoff and landing distances.

CG moment formula

The centre of gravity location equals total moment divided by total weight. Adding weight at an arm shifts the CG by added weight times arm divided by the new total weight.

MTOW MLW MZFW

Maximum takeoff weight, maximum landing weight, and maximum zero-fuel weight are structural limits. The most restrictive of these determines the allowable payload for a flight.

Bypass ratio

The mass flow of air through the fan bypass duct divided by the mass flow through the engine core. High bypass ratios improve propulsive efficiency and reduce specific fuel consumption.

Compressor surge

A breakdown of airflow through the compressor, causing a loud bang and loss of thrust. It is corrected by reducing fuel or increasing bleed air to restore stall margin.

Airworthiness directive

A mandatory instruction issued by the state of design and adopted by the authority, requiring inspection, modification, or limitation. Compliance is required before further flight.

Cabin differential pressure

The difference between cabin pressure and outside ambient pressure, limited by safety and outflow valves. Exceeding the structural limit risks fuselage failure; normal airliner limits are about eight to nine psi.

Rudder ratio changer

A system that reduces rudder deflection per unit of pedal input as airspeed increases, preventing structural overload and excessive yaw at high speed.

QNH versus QFE

QNH is pressure reduced to sea level, giving altitude above mean sea level when set. QFE is the pressure at the aerodrome, giving height above the aerodrome.

Transition altitude

The altitude at which the altimeter is set to standard pressure 1013.25 hPa for flight above. Below it, the local QNH is used for altitude reference.

Great circle route

The shortest path between two points on the Earth's surface, following a plane through the centre. Its initial and final bearings differ unless the route is along a meridian or the equator.

VOR radial tracking

A VOR receiver displays the magnetic bearing from the station. A centred course deviation indicator with a TO flag means the aircraft is tracking toward the station on the selected radial.

Time to station

Turn 90 degrees and time until the bearing changes by the same number of degrees. Time to station equals elapsed time divided by degrees of bearing change, multiplied by 60.

ISA standard atmosphere

Sea level temperature 15 degrees Celsius and pressure 1013.25 hPa, with a lapse rate of 1.98 degrees Celsius per 1000 feet up to the tropopause at 36,090 feet.

Microburst wind shear

A localized downdraft producing a headwind, then downdraft, then tailwind on the flight path. Recovery requires maximum thrust and avoiding configuration changes until clear.

Clear ice

A transparent, heavy ice deposit formed by large supercooled droplets that spread before freezing. It adheres strongly and is the most hazardous accretion for aircraft performance.

SIGMET

A weather warning of severe conditions hazardous to all aircraft, including severe turbulence, severe icing, volcanic ash, and tropical cyclones along the route.

METAR trend group

A short forecast appended to an observation indicating expected changes within the next two hours, using BECMG for gradual change and TEMPO for temporary fluctuations.

Squawk 7700

The transponder code selected to indicate a general emergency. It alerts air traffic control to give priority and to initiate emergency coordination.

MAYDAY versus PAN-PAN

MAYDAY, repeated three times, signals distress and immediate danger requiring assistance. PAN-PAN signals urgency, a serious condition that does not yet require immediate assistance.

CPDLC clearance

A data-link air traffic clearance sent by controller-pilot data link communications. It must be read back and logged like a voice clearance before it is effective.

RVSM separation

Reduced vertical separation minimum of 1000 feet between FL290 and FL410, requiring approved altimetry, autopilot, and height monitoring, plus pilot training.

Holding pattern timing

Standard holding uses right turns. The inbound leg is timed at one minute below 14,000 feet and one and a half minutes above that altitude.

ILS categories

Category I has a decision height of 200 feet, Category II 100 feet, and Category III permits operation with no decision height at approved low visibility minima.

Final reserve fuel

Fuel that must remain at landing: 30 minutes holding at 1500 feet for turbine aircraft and 45 minutes for piston aircraft. It is not usable for diversion.

Equal time point

The point on a route where time to destination equals time back to the departure point, accounting for wind on each leg. It guides diversion decisions.

Chicago Convention

The 1944 treaty establishing international civil aviation principles, including complete and exclusive sovereignty of each state over its airspace and the ICAO annex framework.

Warsaw and Montreal Conventions

International treaties governing carrier liability for passenger injury, baggage, and cargo. Montreal 1999 updated Warsaw with strict liability limits and a two-tier compensation structure.

KCAA AOC requirement

An air operator certificate issued by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority is required for commercial air transport. It specifies aircraft types, areas of operation, and approved maintenance arrangements.

Class 1 medical validity

A Class 1 medical certificate for commercial pilots and flight engineers is valid for 12 months, reduced to 6 months after age 40 for single-pilot operations.

Blocked pitot tube

With the pitot blocked, the airspeed indicator behaves like an altimeter: it reads higher in a climb and lower in a descent because static pressure changes.