CAAP CPL Knowledge Exam flashcards

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

Class A airspace

Controlled airspace in which only IFR flights are permitted; ATC clearance required and all aircraft are separated from each other.

Semi-circular rule

Cruising level rule based on magnetic track: 000-179 use odd thousands, 180-359 use even thousands, with 500 ft increments between IFR and VFR levels.

Special VFR

Clearance permitting VFR flight in a control zone when VMC cannot be maintained, subject to minimum visibility (often 1,500 m) and remaining clear of cloud.

Certificate of airworthiness

Document confirming the aircraft meets the applicable airworthiness requirements and remains in a condition for safe operation; must be carried on board.

Pitot blockage with drain open

The airspeed indicator reads approximately zero because pressure cannot build in the pitot line; static instruments remain unaffected.

Carburettor ice

Ice forming in the carburettor venturi at ambient temperatures between about -10 and +20 C with high humidity; apply full carburettor heat.

Detonation

Uncontrolled explosive combustion of the fuel-air charge after spark ignition, causing high cylinder head temperature, rough running and possible engine damage.

Constant-speed propeller

A propeller whose blade angle is varied by a governor to maintain a selected RPM; fine pitch for take-off, coarse pitch for high-speed cruise.

Moment calculation

Moment equals mass multiplied by its arm from the datum; total moment divided by total mass gives the centre of gravity position.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature; approximately pressure altitude plus 120 ft per degree Celsius above ISA.

Maximum zero fuel mass

Structural limit on the mass of the aircraft plus traffic load without usable fuel; exceeding it is prohibited even if take-off mass is within limits.

Final reserve fuel

Fuel required to hold for 30 minutes at 1,500 ft above the alternate for turbine aircraft, or 45 minutes for piston aircraft.

Time of useful consciousness

The period after loss of cabin pressure before a person becomes unable to take corrective action; about 30-60 seconds at FL 350.

Somatogravic illusion

A false sensation of climbing during rapid acceleration, or of descending during deceleration, caused by otolith displacement in the inner ear.

Hyperventilation

Excessive breathing that lowers blood CO2, causing dizziness, tingling and confusion; treated by controlled breathing and reassurance, not oxygen alone.

Yerkes-Dodson curve

Performance improves with arousal up to an optimum, then declines; excessive stress narrows attention and increases error rates.

QNH

Altimeter subscale setting that, when set, causes the altimeter to indicate elevation above mean sea level at the aerodrome.

Cold front passage

A steep-fronted system bringing a narrow band of heavy showers, squall lines, turbulence and a rapid wind veer after passage.

Clear ice

Dense, hard ice formed by large supercooled droplets at temperatures between 0 and -10 C; most hazardous to aircraft performance.

ISA lapse rate

Temperature decreases 1.98 C per 1,000 ft from sea level (15 C) up to 36,090 ft, then remains constant at -56.5 C.

1 in 60 rule

Track error in degrees equals distance off track divided by distance flown, multiplied by 60; used for mental navigation corrections.

VOR TO/FROM flag

Indicates whether the selected course, if flown with the CDI centred, would take the aircraft toward or away from the VOR station.

RAIM

Receiver autonomous integrity monitoring; the GPS receiver checks position integrity and warns when the signal is unsuitable for the required navigation performance.

Squawk 7700

Transponder code selected to indicate a general emergency; alerts ATC and triggers priority handling.

V1 decision speed

The speed at or before which a rejected take-off can be safely accomplished; above V1 the take-off must be continued.

Emergency descent procedure

Maximum rate descent with speed brakes, idle power, turn off the airway, squawk 7700 and transmit MAYDAY with position and intentions.

Wake turbulence separation

Distance or time spacing applied behind heavier aircraft: 6 NM light behind heavy, 5 NM medium behind heavy, 4 NM heavy behind heavy.

Ditching procedure

Land into wind at minimum speed, secure the cabin, don life jackets, transmit MAYDAY with position, and prepare for evacuation after touchdown.

Load factor in a turn

In a level turn, load factor equals 1 divided by the cosine of the bank angle; at 60 degrees bank the load factor is 2.

Critical engine

The engine whose failure produces the greatest yaw and control difficulty; for a conventional twin with clockwise rotation, the left engine.

Induced drag

Drag caused by lift generation, proportional to the square of the lift coefficient and inversely proportional to airspeed squared.

MAYDAY call

Distress signal repeated three times, followed by callsign, nature of distress, position, altitude and intentions.

Readback requirement

Pilots must read back clearances, runway assignments, altimeter settings, headings, speeds and frequency changes to confirm correct understanding.