Flight Theory Notes

Aircraft Categories

Different categories of aircraft including Lighter Than Air, Rotorcraft, Airplane, and Glider.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

A specialized UN agency established in 1944 to manage international civil aviation standards and practices.

NOTAM (Notice to Airmen)

A notice containing essential information about aeronautical facilities, services, or hazards for flight operations.

Lift

The upward force produced by the dynamic effect of air acting on the wing of an aircraft.

Thrust

The forward force generated by the aircraft's powerplant or propeller.

Weight

The total load of the airplane, including crew, fuel, cargo, and baggage, that opposes lift.

Drag

A rearward force that opposes thrust, caused by airflow disruption around the aircraft.

Lateral Axis

An axis extending from wingtip to wingtip, associated with pitch control.

Longitudinal Axis

An axis extending from the nose to the tail of the aircraft, associated with roll control.

Vertical Axis

An axis extending vertically through the aircraft, associated with yaw control.

Center of Gravity

The specific point where the mass of the aircraft is balanced, affecting stability and performance.

Fuselage

The main body of the aircraft that houses the crew and cargo.

Wings

Airfoils attached to the fuselage that generate lift.

Empennage

The tail section of the aircraft, including stabilizers and control surfaces.

Landing Gear

The structure that supports the aircraft when it is on the ground.

Powerplant

The engine or engines that provide thrust to the aircraft.

Ergonomics

The science of designing equipment to be user-friendly and accessible.

Multi-Function Displays

Modern cockpit instruments that consolidate information for easier access and problem identification.

Control Instruments

Instruments that display immediate changes in aircraft attitude and power.

Performance Instruments

Instruments that indicate the aircraft's actual performance metrics.

Navigation Instruments

Instruments that indicate the aircraft's position relative to navigation facilities.

Atmospheric Pressure

The pressure exerted by the atmosphere at a specific altitude and temperature.

Standard Day

A reference condition at sea level with specific pressure and temperature values.

Lapse Rate

The rate at which atmospheric pressure and temperature decrease with altitude.

Pressure Altitude

The altitude at which the atmospheric pressure is equal to a standard datum plane.

Density Altitude

The altitude at which a given air density is found, affecting aircraft performance.

Newton’s First Law

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.

Newton’s Second Law

Force equals mass times acceleration; more mass requires more force to accelerate.

Newton’s Third Law

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

Magnus Effect

The phenomenon where airflow over a rotating cylinder creates lift.

Bernoulli’s Principle

The principle that describes the relationship between pressure and velocity in fluid dynamics.

Airfoil Design

The design of wing shapes to optimize lift and performance.

Angle of Attack

The angle between the chord line of the wing and the relative wind, affecting lift generation.

Critical Angle of Attack

The angle at which the wing stalls and no lift is generated.

Airplane Class

Different classes of aircrafts: Single-Engine Land, Single-Engine Sea, Multi-Engine Land, Multi-Engine Sea

Standard Pressure Lapse Rate for Mercury Per 1000’ Gain

-1” of mercury

Standard Pressure Rate of Temperature Per 1000’ Gain

-2°C or 3.5°F