Billy Mitchell Exam Comprehensive Review

What is the primary function of an airplane's propulsion system?

An airplane's propulsion system provides thrust, which moves the aircraft forward through the air.

What percentage of the atmosphere is composed of nitrogen?

Nitrogen makes up approximately 78% of the atmosphere.

What percentage of the atmosphere is composed of oxygen?

Oxygen makes up approximately 21% of the atmosphere.

Define aerodynamics.

Aerodynamics relates to the forces of air in motion.

Define aeronautics.

Aeronautics is the science of flight within the atmosphere.

What combined field of study does the term 'aerospace' refer to?

Aerospace is a combination of aeronautics and space.

How is an airfoil defined in aviation?

An airfoil is a component, such as a wing, specifically designed to produce lift, thrust, or directional stability.

Define the camber of an airfoil.

Camber is the curved part of an airfoil from its leading to trailing edge.

What is the chord of an airfoil?

The chord is an imaginary line drawn through an airfoil from its leading edge to its trailing edge.

Describe relative wind.

Relative wind is the flow of air that moves opposite to the flight path of an airplane.

What is downwash?

Downwash is the downward movement of air behind a wing in flight.

What is upwash?

Upwash is the upward movement of air ahead of a wing in flight.

How is a wingtip vortex formed?

A wingtip vortex is a spinning column of air created behind the wingtip as air moves from high pressure below the wing to low pressure on top.

What force slows the forward movement of an aircraft in flight?

Drag slows forward movement.

What is the natural force pulling everything toward the center of the Earth?

Gravity pulls everything toward the Earth.

What upward force opposes gravity to support an aircraft's weight?

Lift supports the weight of an aircraft.

Which ancient Greek myth depicts an early story of attempted human flight?

The myth of Daedalus and his son Icarus.

In what year did Marco Polo record Chinese sailors using kites as military observers?

Around 1299 A.D.

Who created the first manned hot air balloon?

The Montgolfier brothers (Joseph and Etienne) created it.

On what date did the first historic manned hot air balloon flight occur over Paris?

November 21, 1783.

Who were the two pilots on the first manned hot air balloon flight?

Pilatre d'Rozier and Francois d'Arlandes.

What type of early aircraft introduced true directional control?

Gliders introduced directional control.

According to Paul Fortin, what are the two phases of bird flight?

The ground phase and the lift phase.

How do a bird's flight feathers function similarly to an airplane's propeller?

They push downward and backward to drive air backward and move the bird forward.

What geometric pattern do a bird's wingtips trace in slow motion during flight?

The wingtips trace a figure-eight pattern.

How do a bird's wing feathers behave on the downbeat versus the upstroke?

Feathers press together on the downbeat to block air and open on the upstroke to save energy.

What natural features do birds use to steer, brake, produce drag, and control low-speed lift?

Their tail feathers and wing feathers.

What principle did Daniel Bernoulli discover regarding fluids in motion?

When a fluid (like air) is accelerated, its pressure drops.

What is the name of the restricted tube that accelerates airflow and drops pressure in the center?

A venturi tube.

State Newton's First Law of Motion.

An object at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced outside force.

State Newton's Second Law of Motion.

Acceleration is directly proportional to the force applied and inversely proportional to the mass of the object.

State Newton's Third Law of Motion.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

What flawed concept assumed upper and lower air molecules must meet at the trailing edge simultaneously?

The theory of equal transit time.

What shape serves as the foundation for standard airfoil designs?

A tear-drop shape.

Describe the Coanda effect.

The Coanda effect is the tendency of a fluid flow (like air or water) to stick to and follow the contour of a curved surface.

Define angle of attack.

The angle formed between the chord line of an airfoil and the oncoming relative wind.

What control surface movement causes an airplane's nose to pitch upward?

Moving the elevator upward.

How does an increase in the angle of attack affect lift?

It causes a substantial increase in lift by creating a greater downwash.

How can an airplane fly upside down despite the shape of its airfoil?

By increasing the angle of attack to direct flow downward and produce dynamic lift.

Name the four opposing forces acting on an airplane in flight.

Lift vs. Gravity, Thrust vs. Drag.

Which two flight forces are classified as natural forces?

Drag and gravity.

Which two flight forces are classified as artificial forces?

Thrust and lift.

What measure of gravitational pull is experienced normally on Earth?

One 'G'.

What is the point where all three axes of an airplane intersect?

The center of gravity.

Name the three axes of an airplane.

Longitudinal axis, lateral axis, and vertical axis.

Around which axis does roll occur, and what surface controls it?

The longitudinal axis; controlled by the ailerons.

Around which axis does pitch occur, and what surface controls it?

The lateral axis; controlled by the elevator.

Around which axis does yaw occur, and what surface controls it?

The vertical axis; controlled by the rudder.

What single surface combines a horizontal stabilizer and an elevator?

A stabilator.

How does a stabilator function to control pitch?

By altering its angle of attack when the pilot pulls or pushes the control yoke.

What cockpit controls are pushed to move the rudder?

The rudder pedals.

How do ailerons move relative to each other when turning?

They move in opposite directions (one goes up while the other goes down).

What structural type of flaps lowers the trailing edge and extends backward to increase wing area?

Fowler Flaps.

What two dynamic aerodynamic characteristics do flaps increase?

Lift and drag.

Why are flaps used during landing and takeoff?

They allow the airplane to produce high lift at lower speeds, reducing required landing and takeoff distances.

Why is a propeller blade shaped like an airfoil?

To produce low pressure in front of the blade, generating forward lift known as thrust.

Why does the angle of incidence change along the length of a propeller blade?

To compensate for varying rotational speeds along the blade from hub to tip.

Where is the rotational speed highest on a propeller blade?

At the tip.

What does the abbreviation 'UAV' stand for?

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

Where is one of the primary USAF control centers for UAV operations located?

Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nevada.

What is reconnaissance?

A preliminary survey of an area to collect information.

What missile payload was the MQ-9 Reaper modified to carry in 2006?

Up to 14 Hellfire anti-tank missiles.

What is the operational altitude ceiling of the MQ-9 Reaper?

50,000 feet.

How long can the MQ-9 Reaper loiter over a target area?

Up to 14 hours.

Define surveillance.

A close watch or supervision of an area after initial reconnaissance.

What engine powers the MQ-9 Reaper?

A 950 horsepower turbopropeller engine.

What does the acronym 'UAS' mean?

Unmanned Aerial System.

What does the acronym 'RPV' mean?

Remotely Piloted Vehicle.

Where are ground crews stationed to operate UAV flights?

Ground Control Stations (GCS).

What NASA UAV was utilized to monitor California wildfires?

The Ikhana UAV.

What radar system allows the Global Hawk to penetrate severe weather and sandstorms?

Synthetic Aperture Radar.

What is the wingspan of the RQ-4B Global Hawk?

130.9 feet.

What engine powers the Global Hawk?

A Rolls-Royce North American AE3007H turbofan.

What is the maximum loiter time for the Global Hawk on station?

24 hours.

What is the maximum operating altitude of the Global Hawk?

65,000 feet.

What is the maximum altitude of the Soda Straw Demonstrator activity?

65,000 feet.

What do the three intersecting straws represent in the Soda Straw Demonstrator?

The longitudinal, lateral, and vertical axes crossing at the center of gravity.

What surface control combination is formed by combining elevators and ailerons on a delta wing paper plane?

Elevons.

What elevon position causes a paper airplane to pitch upward?

Placing both elevons in the up position.

How do you configure elevons to cause a paper plane to roll in flight?

Set one elevon up and the other elevon down.

What are secondary stalls?

A series of repeated stalls occurring sequentially before an aircraft reaches the ground.

What high-speed strategic reconnaissance aircraft reached speeds over Mach 3.2 at 85,000 feet?

The SR-71 Blackbird.

What is a nacelle?

An enclosed housing covering an engine mounted outside the fuselage.

What is soaring in glider terminology?

The art of staying aloft by exploiting thermal and atmospheric air currents.

What is the average atmospheric temperature lapse rate per 1,000 feet of elevation?

(or) per 1,000 feet.

What happens to air pressure and density as air is heated?

Air expands, its pressure drops, and it becomes less dense.

What is a thermal?

A rising column of warm air created by uneven heating of the Earth's surface.

What is atmospheric stability?

The atmosphere's resistance to vertical motion.

What is the mathematical ratio comparing forward distance glided to altitude lost?

Glide ratio.

What aircraft pulls a glider into the air for launch?

A tow plane.

What distinguishes a sailplane from a basic glider?

A sailplane is designed to actively soar on environmental air currents, whereas a basic glider simply glides back down.

What sailplane model is used for cadet flight training at the U.S. Air Force Academy?

The Schweizer TG-4A sailplane.

At what minimum age can a cadet solo a glider under FAA regulations?

Age 14.

What is the upward angle of a fixed-wing aircraft's wings relative to the horizontal called?

Dihedral.

What gas law explains hot air balloon flight?

Hot air is less dense and lighter than cold air, allowing it to float within cooler surrounding air.

What is the fabric body of a hot air balloon called?

The envelope.

What is the wicker basket hanging below a balloon envelope called?

The gondola.

What are gores on a balloon?

Vertical fabric panels that are sewn together to form the envelope.

What is the top opening of a hot air balloon called?

The crown.

Which device allows hot air to escape from the crown to initiate descent?

The parachute panel (or rip panel).