Mauritius DCA PPL Theory flashcards

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

VFR minimum visibility above 3 050 m

In controlled airspace at or above 3 050 m AMSL, VFR requires 8 km flight visibility and cloud separation of 1 500 m horizontally and 300 m vertically.

Semi-circular rule

Magnetic tracks 000 to 179 degrees use odd flight levels and 180 to 359 degrees use even flight levels, so opposite-direction traffic is separated by 1 000 ft.

Steady red light signal

A steady red light directed at an aircraft on the ground means stop; in the air it means give way to other traffic and continue circling.

Aircraft must carry documents

Certificate of registration, certificate of airworthiness, crew licences, journey log and radio licence where radio is fitted must be carried on board.

Alternator failure indication

A zero or negative ammeter reading with an illuminated warning light indicates alternator failure; the battery then supplies limited power and non-essential loads should be shed.

Magneto drop limits

During the run-up, each magneto should not drop more than 150 RPM and the difference between the two magnetos should not exceed 50 RPM.

Static pressure blockage

With the static source blocked, the altimeter freezes at its last reading, the VSI reads zero, and the ASI behaves like an altimeter in climb or descent.

Carburettor icing range

Carburettor icing is most likely between about 0 and 15 degrees C with high humidity; applying carburettor heat usually causes an initial RPM drop before recovery.

Detonation versus pre-ignition

Detonation is explosive uncontrolled combustion after the spark, raising cylinder pressure and temperature; pre-ignition is ignition before the spark, often from a hot spot.

Density altitude formula

Density altitude equals pressure altitude plus 120 ft for every degree Celsius that the actual temperature exceeds the ISA temperature at that level.

Crosswind component

The crosswind component equals wind speed multiplied by the sine of the angle between the wind direction and the runway centreline.

Centre of gravity calculation

Total moment is the sum of each item's weight multiplied by its arm; CG position is total moment divided by total weight and must lie within the limits.

VFR final reserve fuel

For VFR flight, the final reserve is fuel for 30 minutes at holding speed at 1 500 ft above the aerodrome in ISA conditions.

Pressure altitude from QNH

Pressure altitude equals indicated altitude plus 30 ft for each hectopascal that QNH is below 1013.25, and minus 30 ft for each hectopascal above.

Time of useful consciousness

At FL 250, time of useful consciousness after loss of cabin pressure is about 3 to 5 minutes; it falls to 15 to 30 seconds at FL 430.

Hyperventilation treatment

Hyperventilation causes dizziness, tingling and cramps; treatment is to slow the breathing rate and, if hypoxia cannot be excluded, use 100 percent oxygen.

Somatogravic illusion

Linear acceleration is misperceived as a climb, so the pilot may pitch down; deceleration is misperceived as a descent, so the pilot may pitch up.

Night vision and rods

Rods provide night vision, are absent from the fovea so central vision is poor at night, and need about 30 minutes of dark adaptation.

ISA standard values

ISA assumes sea level temperature of 15 degrees C, pressure 1013.25 hPa, and a lapse rate of 2 degrees C per 1 000 ft up to 11 km.

QNH versus QFE

QNH set on the subscale makes the altimeter read altitude above mean sea level; QFE makes it read height above the aerodrome reference point.

Cold front passage

A cold front brings a rapid wind veer, temperature drop, pressure rise, squall lines and thunderstorms, with improving visibility after passage.

Microburst recovery

In a microburst, apply maximum power, pitch for the go-around attitude and accept the airspeed loss; do not chase the airspeed with pitch.

Aircraft icing temperature range

Structural icing is most likely between 0 and minus 20 degrees C in visible moisture; clear ice forms from large droplets, rime ice from small supercooled droplets.

Variation versus deviation

Variation is the angle between true north and magnetic north at a location; deviation is the error in the aircraft compass caused by its own magnetic fields.

1-in-60 rule

A track error of 1 degree over 60 NM puts the aircraft 1 NM off track, so a 10 degree error gives 10 NM in 60 NM.

VOR radial versus bearing

A VOR radial is the magnetic bearing from the station, while the bearing to or from the aircraft is shown on the omni-bearing selector or HSI.

Great circle versus rhumb line

The great circle is the shortest distance between two points; the rhumb line keeps a constant track and is longer except on the equator or a meridian.

Distress and urgency calls

MAYDAY repeated three times announces distress; PAN PAN repeated three times announces urgency. Both are followed by call sign, position and intentions.

Emergency transponder codes

Squawk 7700 for emergency, 7600 for radio failure, and 7500 for unlawful interference; 7000 is the standard VFR conspicuity code in Europe.

Engine failure after take-off

Pitch for best glide speed, land ahead within about 30 degrees of the runway heading, and do not turn back below a safe height.

Load factor in a level turn

Load factor equals one divided by the cosine of the bank angle, so 60 degrees of bank gives 2 g and raises stall speed by about 41 percent.

Adverse yaw

Adverse yaw is yaw away from the turn caused by increased drag on the down-going aileron; it is countered by applying rudder into the turn.