CAAP PPL Knowledge Exam flashcards

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

QNH

Altimeter setting that makes the instrument read elevation above mean sea level when on the ground at the reporting station; used below the transition altitude for terrain clearance.

Critical angle of attack

The angle of attack at which the wing reaches maximum lift coefficient; exceeding it causes a stall regardless of airspeed, attitude, or aircraft mass.

Mayday call

International distress signal spoken three times, followed by callsign, nature of distress, position, altitude, and intentions; indicates grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance.

Semi-circular rule

Cruising level rule based on magnetic track: 000-179 degrees uses odd thousands, 180-359 degrees uses even thousands, with 500-foot increments for VFR at or above 3,000 feet AGL.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature, approximated as pressure altitude plus 120 times the difference between actual and ISA temperature in degrees Celsius; higher values reduce performance.

Centre of gravity

Point where the aircraft's total weight acts; computed as total moment divided by total mass, and must remain within forward and aft limits throughout the flight for controllability.

Induced drag

Drag caused by the generation of lift, proportional to the square of the lift coefficient and inversely proportional to the square of airspeed; it decreases as speed increases.

Carburettor icing

Ice formation in the carburettor venturi caused by fuel vaporisation and pressure drop cooling; most likely at ambient temperatures between about minus 7 and plus 21 degrees Celsius with high humidity.

VOR radial

Magnetic bearing from a VOR station, selected with the omni-bearing selector; the course deviation indicator centres when the aircraft is on that radial.

Relative bearing

Angle measured clockwise from the aircraft's heading to the direction of a radio station; adding it to the magnetic heading gives the magnetic bearing to the station.

Class 2 medical certificate

Minimum medical certification for a private pilot licence, confirming fitness to fly; it must be valid on the day of flight and is issued under PCAR Part 2.

Hypoxia

Insufficient oxygen supply to body tissues, causing euphoria, impaired judgement, headache, and cyanosis; time of useful consciousness falls rapidly above 25,000 feet.

Spatial disorientation

Failure to perceive the aircraft's attitude or motion correctly, producing illusions such as the leans and graveyard spiral; the remedy is to rely on flight instruments.

Advection fog

Fog formed when warm, moist air moves over a colder surface and is cooled below its dewpoint; common over sea and coastal areas and can persist through the day.

METAR

Routine aerodrome weather observation issued at scheduled times, reporting wind, visibility, weather, cloud, temperature, dewpoint, and QNH; SPECI is a special non-routine observation.

1-in-60 rule

A one-degree angular error produces a one nautical mile offset after 60 nautical miles; used to calculate track corrections and closing angles during navigation.

Variation

Angular difference between true north and magnetic north at a given location, shown on charts as east or west; magnetic heading equals true heading minus easterly variation.

Squawk 7600

Transponder code indicating radio communication failure; the pilot continues under VFR, remains clear of controlled airspace, and lands at the nearest suitable aerodrome.

Wake turbulence

Wingtip vortices generated by lift, strongest when the aircraft is heavy, clean, and slow; avoid by taking off before the rotation point and landing after touchdown point.

Engine failure after take-off

Emergency requiring immediate pitch for best glide speed, selection of a landing area, attempted restart, and a controlled forced landing; turn back only if altitude and conditions permit.

Load factor

Ratio of lift to weight; a level 60-degree bank produces a load factor of two and increases stall speed by about 41 percent; limits are shown on the V-n diagram.

Ground effect

Reduction in induced drag and increase in lift when flying within about one wingspan of the ground, causing floating during landing and reduced climb performance after take-off.

Moment

Product of a mass and its arm measured from the datum; summing moments and dividing by total mass gives the centre of gravity position for mass and balance calculations.

Altimeter setting QFE

Pressure setting that makes the altimeter read height above a specified reference point, often aerodrome elevation; used in some approach and aerodrome procedures.

Magnetic compass deviation

Aircraft-specific error caused by magnetic fields from the airframe and electrical systems; it is recorded on a compass correction card and applied to magnetic heading.

Pan-Pan call

Urgency signal spoken three times, used for a serious but not immediately life-threatening situation, followed by callsign, nature of urgency, position, and intentions.

ILS glideslope

Vertical guidance component of the instrument landing system, transmitted in the 329.15 to 335 MHz band and typically set to a three-degree descent path.

DME slant range

Distance measured by the distance measuring equipment, which is line-of-sight range rather than ground distance; error is greatest at high altitude and close to the station.

PPL privileges

A private pilot may act as pilot-in-command or co-pilot of a non-revenue aeroplane and carry passengers, but may not fly for compensation or hire.

Hyperventilation

Excessive breathing that lowers carbon dioxide in the blood, causing dizziness, tingling, and muscle spasms; treatment is controlled breathing and reassurance.

Standard atmosphere

Model with sea-level temperature 15 degrees Celsius, pressure 1013.25 hPa, and a lapse rate of about 1.98 degrees Celsius per 1,000 feet up to the tropopause.

Crosswind component

Component of wind perpendicular to the runway, calculated as wind speed times the sine of the angle between wind and runway; compare with the aircraft demonstrated limit.