PLA OU Spring 2026 Exam Review

A comprehensive set of 105 vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes covering aviation regulations, required equipment, atmospheric conditions, and flight safety protocols.

Pilot Qualifications

Certificate, Medical, Government issued photo id, flight review, required endorsements, Recent flight experiences; 3 takeoffs and landings in the preceding 90 days. Night passengers → full-stop landings at night

Required Documents

Supplements, Placards, Airworthiness certificate, Registration, Radio operating license, Operating limitations, Weight and balance.

Airworthiness Certificate

Document verifying that an aircraft is safe to fly and must be visible to passengers and crew. Can be invalidated if aircraft is unworthy.

Registration Certificate

Document indicating the aircraft's owner and registration with the FAA. Expires every 7 years

Operating Limitations

Instructions found in the POH or placarded in the aircraft detailing performance constraints.

Weight and Balance

Serial number specific

Required Inspections

AV1ATES

ADs

Airworthiness Directives; mandatory maintenance actions required to address safety issues.

Emergency ADs

Airworthiness Directives requiring immediate action.

Non-Emergency ADs

Airworthiness Directives that should be addressed but can wait until the next scheduled maintenance.

Recurring ADs

Airworthiness Directives that need periodic checks.

Non-Recurring ADs

One-time fixes identified by an Airworthiness Directive.

Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin

Similar to an AD but not legally mandated for compliance. Posted by Piper. Precursor to AD

Instruments Required

91.205 ATOMATOFLAMES

F.L.A.P.S. AT NIGHT

Fuses, Landing lights, Anti-collision lights, Position lights, Source of power.

Stable Atmosphere

Resists vertical motion. Stratus clouds

Unstable Atmosphere

Does not resist vertical motion. Characterized by cumulus clouds, showery precipitation, and turbulent conditions.

Cold Front

Triggers thunderstorms, high winds, and can also create good visibility.

Cumulus Phase

The initial stage of a thunderstorm marked by building clouds.

Mature Phase

The second stage of a thunderstorm when it reaches its highest intensity. Updrafts and downdrafts

Dissipating Phase

Final phase of a thunderstorm where the storm weakens. Microbursts

Types of Structural Ice

Rime, Clear, Mixed ice.

AIRMET

Advisories for GA pilots regarding weather conditions. Issued every 6 hours and valid for 6 hours.

Tango AIRMET

Indicates moderate turbulence and strong surface winds ≥ 30 kt, Low-level wind shear.

Zulu AIRMET

Indicates moderate icing and freezing levels.

Sierra AIRMET

Indicates mountain obstructions and IFR conditions.

Sigments

Hazardous weather to all aircraft. Issued any time conditions occur, valid for up to 4 (up to 6 for hurricanes). Issued for Severe or extreme turbulence, Severe icing, Widespread dust/sandstorms with visibility < 3 SM, Volcanic ash clouds

Convective Sigments

specifically address severe convective activity. issued hourly and valid for 2 hours. Severe thunderstorm due to:

Surface winds greater than or equal to 50 knots. Hail at the surface greater than or equal to ¾ inch in diameter. Tornadoes. Embedded or severe thunderstorms expected to persist for over 30 minutes. Lines of thunderstorms: At least 60 miles long, with storms affecting at least 40% of the Convective SIGMET area. Thunderstorms producing heavy or greater precipitation affecting 40 percent or more of an area at least 3,000 square miles.

Pressure Altitude

Altitude determined by setting the altimeter to 29.92 inches of mercury.

Indicated Airspeed

Speed shown by the aircraft's airspeed indicator.

True Airspeed

Indicated airspeed corrected for temperature and pressure.

Ground Speed

True airspeed adjusted for wind speed and direction.

True North

The direction along the earth's surface towards the North Pole.

Magnetic North

Direction that a magnetic compass points, slightly off-center from true north.

Density Altitude

Pressure altitude adjusted for nonstandard temperature.

Absolute Altitude

Height of an aircraft above the terrain.

True Altitude

Actual height above mean sea level (MSL).

Altitude Limitations

Limits defined for the performance and instrument readings in aviation.

Gyroscopic Instruments

Instruments that rely on gyroscopes including turn coordinators and attitude indicators.

Induced Drag

Drag resulting from the generation of lift.

Parasitic Drag

Drag due to the aircraft's shape and the airflow around it. Skin Friction drag, Interference drag, Form drag

V Speeds

Critical airspeeds for aircraft operations including Vso, Vs1, Vy, Vx, Vfe, Vo, Vno, Vne.

Maneuvering Speed (Vo)

Maximum speed for full deflection of controls without exceeding design load factors.

Spin Recovery Procedure

PARE: Power idle, Ailerons neutral, Rudder opposite, Elevator forward.

Load Factor Increase

Resulting in a higher stall speed due to increased wing loading.

Forward Center of Gravity Effects

Higher stall speed, slower cruise speed, and increased stability.

Rearward Center of Gravity Effects

Lower stall speed, higher cruise speed, and reduced stability.

Density Altitude Effects

Increased takeoff distance and reduced climb performance due to altitude changes.

Weather Cold Front Effects

Cumulus clouds, possible heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Weather Warm Front Effects

Stratus clouds, light showers.

TAF Publication Frequency

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts published every 6 hours for 24-30 hour periods.

METAR Indicators

BR for mist, DZ for light drizzle, RA for rain, etc.

Flight Required Actions

NW KRAFT: NOTAMs, Weather, ATC delays, Runway lengths, Alternate routes, Fuel, Takeoff distances.

IM SAFE Checklist

Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Eating.

AV1ATE Inspection

Annual, VOR, 100 Hour, Altimeter, Transponder, ELT checks.

Performance Calculations

Required to ensure safe aircraft operations.

Altitude Rules for Cross-Country

Odd or even thousand feet based on the magnetic course. 360-179 is odd, 180-359 is even.

Magnetic Compass Errors

Variation- Difference between true north and magnetic north

Deviation- Compass error caused by magnetic fields in the aircraft

Magnetic Dip- Caused by the Earth’s magnetic field dipping toward the poles.

Oscillation- Erratic movement of the compass caused by turbulence or rough air.

Northerly Turning Errors (UNOS)- Undershoot North. Overshoot South

Acceleration Errors (ANDS)- On east or west headings, acceleration causes the compass to turn north, while deceleration causes it to turn south. Accelerate North, Decelerate South.

Angle of Attack

The angle between the wing's chord line and the direction of airflow (relative wind)

Risk management acronym

Pilot, Aircraft, Environment, External pressures.

Flight Stability Factors

Impact of center of gravity positioning on aircraft performance.

Turn Coordinator Operation

Uses precession to indicate direction of turn and rate.

High Pressure Systems Direction

Flow down and out, clockwise.

Low Pressure Systems Direction

Flow up and in, counterclockwise.

Squall Line Definition

Line of severe thunderstorms that can form along a cold front.

Im SAFE Definition

A self-check evaluating fitness to fly. Illness, medicine, stress, fatigue, alcohol, eating/emotions

VFR Visibility Requirements

Class A Airspace

Only IFR flights; no VFR weather minimums.

Class B Airspace Requirements

ATC clearance and transponder with Mode C needed/ADSB- out, two way radio

Class C Airspace Requirements

Must establish two-way communications, mode C transponder and have ADSB-out

Class D Airspace requirements

two way radio

Takeoff and Landing Distance Calculations

Utilize charts in Pilot Operating Handbook.

Hypoxia Types

Hypoxic, Hypemic, Stagnant, Histotoxic.

Hypoxic Hypoxia

Not enough oxygen available to breathe

• Cause: High altitude, inadequate cabin pressurization

• Common scenario: Flying above ~10,000–12,000 ft without supplemental oxygen

• Symptoms: Euphoria, headache, dizziness, poor judgment (dangerous combo in the cockpit)

• Fix: Descend, use supplemental oxygen

Hypemic Hypoxia

Blood can’t carry enough oxygen

• Cause: Carbon monoxide poisoning, anemia, blood loss

• Aviation classic: CO from a cracked exhaust or heater

• Symptoms: Headache, cherry-red lips (rare), fatigue, confusion

• Fix: 100% oxygen, fresh air, land ASAP

Histotoxic Hypoxia

Cells can’t use the oxygen they have

• Cause: Alcohol, drugs, cyanide poisoning

• Big FAA tie-in: Alcohol consumption before flight

• Symptoms: Impaired judgment, dizziness, poor coordination

• Fix: Remove the toxin, oxygen (limited help), medical treatment

Stagnant Hypoxia

Oxygenated blood isn’t moving properly

• Cause: Poor circulation, G-forces, shock

• Aviation example: High-G maneuvers in aerobatics or fighters

• Symptoms: Tunnel vision, grayout, blackout

• Fix: Reduce Gs, proper anti-G straining, restore circulation

Types of Fog

Advection, Steam, Upslope, Radiation, Precipitation fog, Ice fog.

Advection fog

when a layer of warm, moist air moves over a cold surface (winds below 15kts and common in coastal areas with a sea breeze)

Steam Fog (Evaporation Fog)

occurs when cold, dry, air moves over warm water (common over bodies of water during the coldest times of year, resembles smoke, can produce icing)

Upslope Fog

occurs when moist, stable, air is forced up sloping land features like a mountain range (wind is required for formation and continued existence)

Radiation Fog

occurs when the ground cools rapidly due to terrestrial radiation and the surrounding air reaches its dewpoint (occurs on clear nights with relatively little to no wind and must be at least 20ft thick or it will be considered ground fog)

Ice Fog

when the ground cools rapidly and the surrounding air reaches its dewpoint when the temperature is much below freezing and the water vapor turns directly into ice crystals (usually 15°F or colder and mostly found in arctic regions)

Precipitation fog

As warm rain falls through cool air, the precipitation saturates the cool air. This fog is dense and long-lasting.

Fuel System

Electrical System

Special Use Airspace

MOA, Controlled firing, Prohibited, Restricted, Alert, Warning, National security

TFRs

Vip, Airshow, National disaster, Space launch, Sporting event

P-factor

The "bite" of the downward moving blade is greater than the "bite" of the upward moving blade. This moves the center of thrust to the right of the prop disc area, causing a yawing moment toward the left

Gyroscopic Precession

rigidity in space and precession. Precession causes a force applied to the propeller to only be felt 90 degrees from the location of where the force is being applied, in the direction of rotation. In other words, if a propeller experiences a force in the 12 o’clock position, and the propeller is spinning in a clockwise direction, the force will only be felt in the 3 o’clock position.

Torque

According to Newton’s third law that states “for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction,” the clockwise rotation of the aircraft’s propeller causes an opposite reaction in an anti-clockwise direction, which causes the aircraft to roll to the left during flight.

Spiraling Slipstream

The slipstream created behind the propeller of an aircraft is displaced into a corkscrew pattern, meaning the slipstream does not blow directly backward but “spirals”. This spiraling slipstream has the unintended consequence of striking (the technical term is “impinging”) the vertical stabilizer (i.e., rudder) on the left side, which creates subsequent yaw to the left.

Pitot Static System

OU Weather Minimums

Solo Traffic Pattern: 1,500' ceiling 3 miles visibility

Solo Area Work: 2,500' ceiling 5 miles visibility

Solo X-C: 2,500' ceiling 10 miles visibility

Dual - All flights, except Instrument*: 1,000' ceiling 3 miles visibility

Wind - Solo: Maximum 25 knots (including gusts) Dual Maximum 35 knots (including gusts) Cross Wind no more than max demonstrated which is 17kts