aero space i hate myself

What are the four categories of aircraft for certification purposes?

Airplane, Rotorcraft, Glider, Lighter-than-air.

What certifications does a pilot need to operate an airline?

Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), Instrument Rating (IR), and Multi-Engine Rating (MER).

What is the purpose of the empennage in an aircraft?

The empennage is the tail assembly, providing stability and control.

List three reasons composite materials are used in aircraft construction.

High strength-to-weight ratio, Corrosion resistance, Fatigue resistance.

What should a pilot do immediately if a plane becomes rapidly depressurized?

Don oxygen masks, initiate an emergency descent to a safe altitude, inform air traffic control, and ensure passengers are using oxygen masks.

How does humidity affect air density?

Humidity decreases air density because water vapor is less dense than dry air.

Define viscosity in terms of a fluid.

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to deformation or flow.

What is the standard day air pressure and temperature?

Pressure: 1013.25 hPa (29.92 inHg), Temperature: 15°C (59°F).

What happens to propeller efficiency at high and low density altitudes?

At high density altitude, propeller efficiency is reduced due to thinner air; at low density altitude, efficiency increases due to denser air.

What are the main components used to calculate density altitude?

Pressure altitude, temperature, and humidity.

What is the Coanda effect?

The tendency of a fluid to follow a convex surface.

What factors decrease density altitude?

Lower temperature, higher pressure, lower humidity.

Explain the relationship of lift, weight, thrust, and drag in level flight.

Lift equals weight, and thrust equals drag.

What does increasing angle of attack (AOA) do to lift?

Increased AOA increases lift up to a critical point and then causes a stall.

What is the lift equation and what does each term represent?

Lift: L = C_L * (1/2) * ρ * v² * S, where C_L is the coefficient of lift, ρ is air density, v is velocity, and S is wing area.

Describe Bernoulli's principle in aviation context.

Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure or potential energy of the fluid.

How does a variable pitch propeller improve aircraft performance?

It optimizes blade angle for different flight conditions, improving efficiency and reducing fuel consumption.

What factors increase lift on an airfoil?

Increase in AOA (up to critical point), increase in airspeed, increase in wing area, and increase in air density.

How does load factor affect stall speed?

Increased load factor increases stall speed.

Define angle of attack (AOA) in relation to wing aerodynamics.

AOA is the angle between the chord line of the wing and the relative wind direction.

What is Newton's third law as it relates to thrust?

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction; thrust is the reaction force propelling the aircraft forward.

How can induced drag be reduced?

By increasing wingspan, using winglets, and optimizing wing shape.

Define coefficient of drag (Cd).

A dimensionless number that describes the drag force on an object relative to its size and speed; it varies with angle of attack.

How does airspeed affect parasitic drag?

Parasitic drag increases with the square of airspeed.

What does the center of gravity (CG) determine in an aircraft?

CG is the point where the total weight is considered to be concentrated. Its equation is CG = (Σ(weight × arm))/(Σweight).

List the effects of inherently unstable aircraft.

Requires constant control inputs, more maneuverable, and used in fighter jets to enhance agility.

What is the main function of flaps on an aircraft?

To increase lift and drag, allow for steeper descent angles without increasing airspeed, and reduce landing and takeoff distances.

How do quadcopters counteract torque?

By having opposing pairs of rotors spin in opposite directions.

What are the three axes of flight?

Longitudinal axis (roll), Lateral axis (pitch), and Vertical axis (yaw).

What is a trim tab used for?

A small adjustable surface on a control surface used to maintain a desired flight attitude without constant control input.

What characteristics enhance an aircraft's stability?

Dihedral wings, high wing configuration, and center of gravity forward of the center of lift.