Cadets - Level 3

Stability

The tendency of an aircraft in flight to remain in straight, level, upright flight and to return to this attitude if displaced, without corrective action by the pilot.

Static Stability

The initial tendency of an aircraft to return to its original attitude if displaced.

Dynamic Stability

The overall tendency of an aircraft to return to its original attitude.

Positive Stability

The aircraft is able to return to its original attitude without any corrective measure.

Neutral Stability

The aircraft will remain in the new attitude of flight after being displaced, neither returning to its original attitude nor continuing to move away.

Negative Stability

The aircraft will continue moving away from its original attitude after being displaced.

Longitudinal Axis

The axis that runs the length of the aircraft from the nose to the empennage, with movement around it being roll.

Lateral Axis

The axis that runs through the aircraft’s wings from wingtip to wingtip, with movement around it being pitch.

Normal (Vertical) Axis

The axis that runs vertically through the aircraft, with movement about it being yaw.

Longitudinal Stability

Stability around the lateral axis, often referred to as pitch stability.

Horizontal Stabilizer

A surface at the tail of the aircraft that aids in maintaining longitudinal stability.

Centre of Gravity

The point where the total weight of the aircraft is considered to act, influencing its stability.

Dihedral

The angle that the wings make with the horizontal plane, contributing to lateral stability.

Sweepback

The design aspect where wings are angled back, aiding lateral stability.

Keel Effect

The stability inherent in high-wing aircraft due to their mass being below the wing plane.

Directional Stability

Stability around the vertical axis, primarily influenced by the vertical tail surface.

Pitot Source

A device that measures dynamic air pressure to determine airspeed in aircraft.

Static Port

An opening that senses the surrounding air pressure to provide altitude information.

Altimeter

An instrument that measures the altitude of the aircraft based on air pressure.

Airspeed Indicator (ASI)

An instrument that displays the current airspeed of the aircraft.

Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)

An instrument that measures the rate of climb or descent of the aircraft.

Collective

A control in helicopters that adjusts the angle of attack of all rotor blades to change lift.

Cyclic

The control that tilts the rotor blades in a helicopter to control direction.

Anti-Torque Rotor

A rotor that counteracts the torque of the main rotor, stabilizing the helicopter.

Humidity

The amount of moisture or water vapor present in an air mass.

Relative Humidity

The ratio of the current amount of water vapor in the air to the maximum amount it can hold at that temperature.

Dew Point

The temperature at which air becomes saturated with moisture and condensation begins.

Condensation

The process by which water vapor changes into liquid water.

Precipitation

Any form of water, liquid or solid, that falls from clouds to the ground.

Cumulus Clouds

Fluffy, white clouds usually associated with fair weather, formed by unstable air.

Stratus Clouds

Flat, uniform clouds typically associated with stable air and continuous light precipitation.