MCAA PPL Theory Exam flashcards

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

VFR cloud distance below 10 000 ft

In Class C-E airspace below 3 050 m AMSL, VFR requires 5 km visibility and cloud clearance of 1 500 m horizontally and 300 m vertically.

Right-of-way converging aircraft

When two aircraft of the same category converge, the aircraft on the right has right of way; the other must give way and avoid passing over, under, or ahead.

Four-stroke engine cycle

Induction, compression, combustion (power), and exhaust strokes; the crankshaft completes two revolutions per full cycle, producing one power stroke.

Carburettor icing temperature range

Highest risk occurs between about -7 °C and +21 °C ambient temperature with high relative humidity; carburettor heat is the preventive measure.

Density altitude formula

Density altitude = pressure altitude + 120 × (OAT − ISA temperature in °C). Higher density altitude reduces engine power and increases take-off distance.

Crosswind component calculation

Crosswind = wind speed × sin(angle between runway and wind direction); headwind = wind speed × cos(angle). Verify against the aircraft maximum crosswind limit.

Time of useful consciousness at altitude

At 25 000 ft, useful consciousness lasts about 3–5 minutes after loss of oxygen; at 40 000 ft it falls to 15–20 seconds.

Spatial disorientation

Vestibular illusions in IMC cause pilots to misjudge attitude; the correct response is to trust flight instruments rather than body sensations.

ISA sea level values

International Standard Atmosphere at sea level: 15 °C, 1013.25 hPa, with a lapse rate of about 1.98 °C per 1 000 ft up to the tropopause.

QNH versus QFE

QNH set on the altimeter shows elevation above mean sea level; QFE shows height above the aerodrome reference point.

Variation and deviation

Variation is the angle between true and magnetic north; deviation is the error caused by aircraft magnetic fields. True ± variation = magnetic; magnetic ± deviation = compass.

One minute of latitude

One minute of latitude equals one nautical mile; one minute of longitude equals one nautical mile multiplied by the cosine of the latitude.

Aviate Navigate Communicate

Priority order in an emergency: first maintain aircraft control, then determine position and navigation, then communicate with ATC.

Engine failure after take-off

Lower the nose to maintain best glide speed, select a landing site ahead, and attempt restart only if altitude and time permit.

Stall angle of attack

A stall occurs when the critical angle of attack is exceeded, regardless of airspeed; stall speed rises with weight, load factor, and altitude.

Load factor in a bank

Load factor = 1 / cos(bank angle). At 60° bank the load factor is 2, doubling stall speed's square root factor.

MAYDAY distress call

Distress call transmitted three times, followed by callsign, position, nature of distress, and intentions; used when immediate assistance is required.

Squawk 7700 7600 7500

7700 indicates emergency, 7600 indicates radio failure, and 7500 indicates unlawful interference; these are standard SSR emergency codes.

VFR minimum visibility above 10 000 ft

At or above 3 050 m AMSL, VFR requires 8 km flight visibility with 1 500 m horizontal and 600 m vertical cloud clearance.

Aircraft documents carried

Certificate of registration, certificate of airworthiness or permit, crew licences, journey log, and insurance evidence must be on board.

Detonation versus pre-ignition

Detonation is explosive uncontrolled combustion after spark ignition; pre-ignition is ignition before the spark. Both raise temperatures and can damage the engine.

Static port blockage indications

Blocked static port: airspeed behaves like an altimeter during climbs and descents, altimeter freezes, and VSI shows zero.

Fuel planning reserves

VFR fuel plan: trip fuel + taxi + contingency (about 5 %) + alternate + final reserve of 30 minutes at holding speed.

Centre of gravity limits

CG must remain within forward and aft limits for all phases; an aft CG reduces static stability and can make stall recovery difficult.

Hyperventilation treatment

Symptoms include dizziness, tingling, and cramps; treatment is to slow the breathing rate, and if suspected, use controlled breathing or a bag.

Circadian low periods

Performance dips around 03:00–05:00 and 15:00–17:00 local time; fatigue and alcohol amplify these effects on reaction time.

Icing temperature range

Most severe icing occurs in cumuliform clouds between 0 °C and −15 °C; clear ice forms from large supercooled droplets.

Cold front characteristics

Rapid passage with squall lines, cumulonimbus, heavy showers, and gusty winds; visibility improves quickly after passage.

Dead reckoning correction

Track = heading + wind drift; correct heading by the drift angle to maintain the planned track over the ground.

VOR radial interpretation

VOR radials are magnetic bearings from the station; when flying toward the station, the CDI shows the reciprocal of the selected radial.

PAN PAN urgency call

Urgency call transmitted three times, followed by callsign, position, and nature of urgency; used when safety is concerned but no immediate distress exists.

Phonetic alphabet standard

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.