Aircraft General Knowledge - Kazakhstan PPL
Aircraft General Knowledge covers the airframe, flight controls, reciprocating engine, fuel/oil systems, electrics, and the pitot-static and gyro instruments a PPL flies behind. The exam favours system purpose and failure symptoms over deep engineering.
Airframe, powerplant, systems
- Primary flight controls: ailerons (roll), elevator (pitch), rudder (yaw); trim reduces control load.
- Reciprocating engine: fuel/air mixture, ignition, carburettor or fuel injection. Carburettor ice can form in cruise with RPM drop.
- Electrical system: battery, alternator/generator, bus, fuses/breakers; know what is essential if the alternator fails.
- Fuel: check quantity, grade, water/sediment; mixture leaned for altitude; avoid vapour lock.
Instruments
- Pitot-static: ASI, altimeter, VSI. Blocked pitot gives ASI errors; blocked static affects ASI, altimeter and VSI.
- Gyro: attitude indicator and heading indicator; vacuum/electrical failure warnings.
- Magnetic compass: deviation and turning errors; use it as a cross-check.
Worked example
In cruise, RPM falls slightly and the engine runs rough. Applying carburettor heat initially makes it rougher, then smoother. Reasoning: carb ice is melting; the initial drop is expected. Leave carb heat on, adjust mixture, and land if it does not clear. Do not confuse with ignition failure.
Traps
Assuming carb heat always gives an immediate RPM rise; ignoring mag check drop; mishandling mixture at altitude; forgetting pitot heat in icing.