FAA PPL Written Exam Preparation

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering aircraft systems, aerodynamics, weather, navigation, performance, human factors, and regulations for the FAA Private Pilot (PPL) written exam.

Alternator

The component that powers the aircraft after the engine has started.

Battery

The power source used for engine start and providing backup electrical power.

Carburetor icing

A danger that prevents airflow to the engine; avoided by using fuel injection.

Pitot tube

An instrument used to measure airspeed; failure occurs if this becomes blocked.

Static port

An instrument that measures altitude and Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI); blockage causes errors in both.

4-stroke cycle

The specific order of engine operation consisting of Intake, compression, power, and exhaust.

Thrust

The force that moves the airplane forward.

Drag

The force that slows an airplane down; categorized into parasite and induced types.

Electrical bus

The system responsible for power distribution throughout the aircraft.

Fuel pump

The component used to provide fuel pressure.

Lean mixture

A fuel-to-air ratio characterized by less fuel and more air; used at higher altitudes.

Rich mixture

A fuel-to-air ratio characterized by more fuel.

Magnetos

Engine-driven components that provide ignition independently of the battery; dual magnetos provide redundancy.

Propeller

A rotating airfoil that functions like a wing to produce thrust.

Fixed pitch prop

A propeller with a single, non-adjustable blade angle.

Constant speed prop

A propeller with an adjustable pitch.

Redline RPM

The maximum engine speed that must not be exceeded.

Lift

A force dependent on airflow and Angle of Attack (AOA); generated by the wing shape.

Stall

A condition caused by exceeding the critical Angle of Attack (AOA).

Stall speed

The speed at which an aircraft stalls, affected by weight and load factor; it increases during steep turns.

Best glide speed

The speed that provides the maximum lift/drag ratio; used during engine failures.

Parasite drag

A type of drag that increases as airspeed increases.

Induced drag

A type of drag that increases at low speeds and high Angles of Attack (AOA).

AOA (Angle of Attack)

The angle of the wing relative to the airflow.

Flaps

Control surfaces used to increase both lift and drag.

CG (Center of Gravity)

The balance point of the aircraft; forward placement is more stable, while aft placement is less stable.

Load factor

The ratio of a specified load to the weight of the aircraft, measured in G force.

Maneuvering speed

The maximum speed at which full or abrupt control movements can be made without overstressing the airframe (stall protection speed).

Wingtip vortices

Small cyclones that trail behind wings, causing wake turbulence; worse when the aircraft is heavy, slow, and in a clean configuration.

Bernoulli principle

The aerodynamic principle stating that faster-moving air results in lower pressure.

METAR

A report detailing current weather conditions, including wind in degrees and knots.

TAF

A weather forecast for a specific area.

Ceiling

The height of the lowest layer of clouds reported as broken or overcast.

Thunderstorm

A weather phenomenon requiring moisture, lift, and instability; associated with CB (Cumulonimbus) clouds.

Cold front

A weather boundary associated with severe, fast-moving storms; represented by triangles on charts.

Warm front

A weather boundary associated with gradual clouds and rain.

Fog

A weather condition that causes low visibility.

Clear ice

The most dangerous type of icing.

Rime ice

A rough, milky type of icing.

Mixed ice

A type of icing that contains both clear and rime characteristics.

Hypoxia

A condition characterized by low oxygen in the body, which can cause dizziness; typically starts at altitudes of approximately $10,000\,ft+$.

Pressure altitude

The altitude indicated when the altimeter is set to $29.92$.

Density altitude

Pressure altitude corrected for temperature; it increases when conditions are hot, high, and humid, resulting in worse performance.

Dew point

The temperature at which condensation starts.

LLWS

Low Level Wind Shear.

VOR

A ground-based radio navigation system.

GPS

A satellite-based navigation system; accuracy is improved by WAAS.

Sectional chart

A map showing airspace, terrain (green for low, brown for high), and obstacles.

Magnetic variation

The difference between true north and magnetic north.

Dead reckoning

Navigation based on time, speed, and heading.

CDI (Course Deviation Indicator)

An instrument that shows deviation from a selected course.

VFR minimum visibility

General requirement of $3\,\text{SM}$ (statute miles) in most airspace.

IAS (Indicated Airspeed)

The airspeed read directly from the indicator, measuring dynamic pressure.

TAS (True Airspeed)

Airspeed corrected for altitude and non-standard temperature; it increases with altitude.

GS (Ground Speed)

The speed of the aircraft over the ground, affected by wind.

Compass deviation

Error in the compass caused by magnetic fields within the aircraft.

IFR

Instrument Flight Rules.

VFR

Visual Flight Rules.

Fix

A specific position point in navigation.

Waypoint

A GPS-defined navigation point.

Moment

A calculation used in weight and balance defined as $\text{weight} \times \text{arm}$.

Useful load

The weight of the payload plus the fuel.

Standard fuel weight

Approximately $6\,\text{lbs}$ per gallon.

Service ceiling

The maximum usable altitude for an aircraft.

Ground effect

Reduced drag encountered when an aircraft is flying very close to the ground.

IMSAFE

A personal health checklist: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Emotion.

Hyperventilation

A condition caused by breathing too much/too fast.

Spatial disorientation

The loss of orientation or misjudgment of the aircraft's position in space.

Vestibular system

The inner ear balance system.

Rods

Cells in the eye responsible for night vision and sensitivity to low light.

Cones

Cells in the eye used for color vision.

Fovea

The visual blind spot.

ADM

Aeronautical Decision Making.

Class A Airspace

Airspace reserved for IFR only.

Class B Airspace

Airspace surrounding the busiest airports; requires ATC clearance to enter.

Class C Airspace

Controlled airspace requiring radar and radio communication.

Class D Airspace

Airspace surrounding a tower-controlled airport.

Class G Airspace

Uncontrolled airspace.

Night (Aviation definition)

The period from sunset to sunrise plus $1\,\text{hr}$.

Currency requirement

The requirement to have made $3$ takeoffs and landings within the previous $90$ days.

PIC

Pilot in Command.

FAR

Federal Aviation Regulations.

AIM

Aeronautical Information Manual (advisory manual).

Squawk 1200

The transponder code for VFR flight.

Squawk 7700

The transponder code for a general emergency.

Squawk 7600

The transponder code for a radio/lost communication failure.

Nautical Mile (NM)

A unit of distance equal to $1.15$ statute miles.

Standard turn rate

A turn of $3^{\circ}$ per second; a $360^{\circ}$ turn takes $2$ minutes.

Glide ratio

The ratio of distance traveled to altitude lost ($\text{distance}/\text{altitude}$).

Day VFR fuel reserve

Fuel required to fly to the destination plus $30$ minutes.

Night VFR fuel reserve

Fuel required to fly to the destination plus $45$ minutes.