Kuwait DGCA ATPL Theory flashcards

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

Class A airspace

Airspace where only IFR flights are permitted and all aircraft receive ATC separation; VFR is excluded and ATC clearance is mandatory before entry.

RVSM vertical separation

Reduced vertical separation minimum of 1000 ft applied between FL290 and FL410 for aircraft with approved altimetry systems and crew training.

Squawk 7700

Transponder code selected to indicate an emergency situation, alerting ATC to provide priority handling and assistance.

QNH setting

Altimeter subscale setting that causes the instrument to indicate altitude above mean sea level when on the ground at the reference point.

Mach number

Ratio of true airspeed to the local speed of sound; the speed of sound depends only on temperature and decreases with altitude.

TCAS resolution advisory

Aural and visual command to climb or descend to avoid collision; must be followed immediately unless it endangers flight safety.

Bleed air source

Air tapped from engine compressor stages used for cabin pressurisation, air-conditioning, and anti-icing; loss affects multiple systems.

Jet A-1 flash point

Minimum temperature at which fuel vapour ignites, approximately 38 °C; lower than gasoline, reducing fire risk in normal operations.

Centre of gravity formula

CG position equals the sum of each mass multiplied by its arm, divided by total mass; expressed in inches or percent MAC.

Maximum zero fuel mass

Maximum permitted mass of aircraft plus traffic load without usable fuel; limits structural loading on the wing root.

V1 decision speed

Speed at which a rejected take-off can no longer be safely completed; beyond V1 the take-off must continue even with engine failure.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for temperature; high values reduce engine power and lift, increasing take-off and landing distances.

Balanced field length

Runway length where accelerate-stop distance equals accelerate-go distance; determines V1 for a given runway and weight.

Final reserve fuel

Fuel required to hold for 30 minutes at 1500 ft above aerodrome elevation in ISA conditions, calculated at holding speed.

Point of no return

Point along the route where time to return to departure equals time to continue to destination; also called equal time point.

Wind triangle

Vector relationship between true airspeed, wind velocity, and ground speed; used to calculate heading and drift angle.

Time of useful consciousness

Period after loss of oxygen at altitude during which a pilot can take corrective action; approximately 30-60 seconds at FL350.

Somatogravic illusion

False sensation of climbing during acceleration due to linear acceleration stimulating the otolith organs; can cause push-over on take-off.

Circadian low

Period of lowest body temperature and alertness, typically 0300-0600 local time; fatigue risk is highest during this window.

ISA sea level values

Standard atmosphere at sea level: temperature 15 °C, pressure 1013.25 hPa, density 1.225 kg/m³, lapse rate 1.98 °C per 1000 ft.

Clear ice

Glossy, heavy ice formed by large supercooled droplets at temperatures between 0 and -10 °C; most hazardous to flight.

Cumulonimbus cloud

Deep convective cloud producing thunderstorms, severe turbulence, hail, icing, and microbursts; avoid by at least 20 NM.

VOR radial

Magnetic bearing from the VOR station; the CDI indicates deviation from the selected radial and TO/FROM shows aircraft position.

Relative bearing

Angle measured clockwise from the aircraft nose to the station; added to heading gives magnetic bearing to the station.

RNP accuracy

Required navigation performance value specifying lateral accuracy in nautical miles; RNP 0.3 used for approach procedures.

Sterile cockpit

Rule prohibiting non-essential activity and conversation during critical phases of flight, typically below 10000 ft and during approach.

Emergency descent procedure

Oxygen masks on, descend to 10000 ft or minimum safe altitude, speed VMO/MMO, transmit MAYDAY and advise ATC.

Engine failure after V1

Maintain V2, climb to acceleration altitude, identify and secure failed engine, then clean up and follow contingency procedure.

Critical angle of attack

Angle at which airflow separates from the wing, causing stall; it is constant regardless of weight, speed, or attitude.

Load factor in turns

Ratio of lift to weight; equals 1/cos(bank angle); stall speed increases by the square root of the load factor.

Mach tuck

Nose-down pitch tendency at high Mach numbers caused by shock wave formation and rearward movement of centre of pressure.

MAYDAY call

Distress signal transmitted three times to indicate grave and imminent danger, requesting immediate assistance on 121.5 MHz.