Aviation Midterm Study Guide

Federal Aviation Regulations

Rules governing all aspects of civil aviation in the United States.

Single Pilot Resource Management

Strategies for managing all available resources to ensure safe flight as a solo pilot.

Aviation Physiology

Study of how flight affects the human body, including hypoxia and spatial disorientation.

Aeromedical Factors

Health and medical issues that can impact pilot performance, such as fatigue, stress, and medication effects.

IMSAFE Checklist

A self-assessment tool for pilots: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion.

Aerodynamics

The study of how air interacts with aircraft surfaces to produce lift, drag, and control.

Angle of Attack

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

Airplane Systems

Major components of an aircraft, including engines, fuel, electrical, and landing gear systems.

Flight Controls

Devices used to maneuver the aircraft: ailerons, elevators, rudder, and trim tabs.

Propulsion System

The engine and propeller system that provides thrust for flight.

Fuel System

System that stores and delivers fuel to the engine.

Oil System

Lubricates and cools engine components.

Electrical System

Provides power to avionics, lights, and other aircraft systems.

Basic Weather Theory

Fundamental principles of weather, including temperature, pressure, and humidity.

Weather Patterns

Recurring atmospheric conditions such as fronts, wind, and precipitation.

Weather Hazards

Dangerous weather phenomena like thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, and wind shear.

Weather Forecasts

Predictions of future weather conditions using METARs, TAFs, and other sources.

Meteorological Charts

Visual representations of weather data, such as surface analysis and radar charts.

Airport Basics

Key features of airports, including runways, taxiways, signs, and lighting systems.

Controlled Airport

An airport with an operating control tower and ATC managing traffic.

Uncontrolled Airport

An airport without a control tower; pilots self-announce and coordinate.

Runway Centerline

Dashed white line down the middle of the runway for alignment.

Aiming Point Marking

Two thick white bars on the runway, used as a visual target for landing.

Touchdown Zone Marking

Pairs of white bars indicating the ideal touchdown area on a runway.

Runway Threshold

White stripes at the start of the runway, marking the beginning of the landing area.

Displaced Threshold

A threshold not at the beginning of the runway, indicating a portion not available for landing.

Chevrons

Yellow markings showing areas not usable for taxi, takeoff, or landing.

Blast Pad/Stopway

Area marked with chevrons, used for jet blast or as a stopway, not for normal operations.

Runway Side Stripe

Continuous white lines marking the edge of the runway.

Taxiway Centerline

Solid yellow line guiding aircraft along taxiways.

Taxiway Edge Marking

Double solid or dashed yellow lines showing the edge of taxiways.

Taxiway Shoulder Marking

Yellow markings indicating non-load-bearing pavement next to taxiways.

Holding Position Marking

Set of yellow lines on taxiways/runways where aircraft must stop unless cleared by ATC.

Mandatory Instruction Sign

Red sign with white letters, such as "Runway 27 – Hold Short," indicating a stop is required.

Location Sign

Black sign with yellow letters showing your current position on the airport.

Direction Sign

Yellow sign with black letters and arrows pointing to taxiways or runways.

Runway Distance Remaining Sign

Black sign with white numbers showing thousands of feet left on the runway.

Demarcation Line

Line separating a displaced threshold from a blast pad, stopway, or taxiway.

Relocated Threshold

Threshold moved to a new location, shortening the runway for landing from one direction.

Airport Diagram

Chart showing runways, taxiways, frequencies, and hot spots for an airport.

Hot Spot

Area on an airport diagram where there is a risk of collision or runway incursion.

Aeronautical Chart

Map used for navigation, showing airports, airspace, terrain, and obstacles.

Controlled Airspace

Airspace where ATC services are provided and specific entry/equipment requirements apply.

Class A Airspace

18,000 ft MSL up to and including FL600; IFR only, ATC clearance required.

Class B Airspace

Surrounds major airports, surface to 10,000 ft MSL; ATC clearance and Mode C transponder required.

Class C Airspace

Surrounds moderate-traffic airports, surface to 4,000 ft AGL; two-way communication and Mode C required.

Class D Airspace

Surrounds airports with a control tower, surface to 2,500 ft AGL; two-way radio required.

Class E Airspace

Controlled airspace not classified A-D; extends upward from surface or designated altitude.

Class G Airspace

Uncontrolled airspace; no ATC services provided.

VFR Weather Minimums

Minimum visibility and cloud clearance required for Visual Flight Rules in each airspace class.

METAR

Routine aviation weather report, updated hourly.

TAF

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast, predicts weather at airports.

Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)

Systematic approach to risk assessment and stress management in aviation.

Risk Management

Identifying, assessing, and mitigating hazards to ensure safe flight.

Preflight Planning

Process of preparing for a flight, including weather, charts, aircraft status, and route.

FAA Private Pilot Airman Knowledge Test

Written exam required for private pilot certification.

Single-Pilot Resource Management

Using all available resources (human, hardware, information) to fly safely as a solo pilot.

Aeromedical Factors

Effects of health, fatigue, stress, and medication on pilot performance.

Aviation Physiology

How flight affects the human body, including hypoxia, hyperventilation, and spatial disorientation.

Aircraft Systems

Major components and subsystems of an airplane, including engine, fuel, electrical, and landing gear.

Aerodynamics

Principles of lift, drag, thrust, and weight that allow an airplane to fly.

Weather Theory

Understanding how temperature, pressure, and moisture interact to create weather.

Weather Hazards

Thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, wind shear, and other dangerous conditions for flight.

Meteorological Charts

Visual tools for interpreting weather data, such as radar and surface analysis charts.

Airport Signs and Markings

Visual cues on runways and taxiways to guide pilots during ground operations.

Airspace Classes

Categories of airspace (A, B, C, D, E, G) with different rules and requirements.

Communication Procedures

Standard radio calls and protocols for safe flight and ground operations.

Flight Planning Tools

Resources like charts, weather reports, and navigation logs used to prepare for a flight.

FAA Regulations

Federal rules that govern pilot certification, aircraft operation, and safety.

Which chart is most used for private pilot training and the FAA private pilot knowledge test?

Sectional

On a Cincinnati sectional, the airport symbol for Clermont County airport is a round magenta symbol, indicating:

A non-towered airport with a hard-surfaced runway

What color is used to depict airports with a control tower on sectional charts?

Blue

How many minutes are in one degree of latitude?

60 minutes

Class D airspace surrounds

Tower controlled airports without an associated Class B or C

If you see a magenta flag on the sectional chart along your route of flight, it indicates

A voluntary visual checkpoint to advise ATC of your location

Which type of NOTAM contains information like runway closures, airspace status, or VOR outages?

Domestic NOTAM (D)

When do Chart Supplements expire?

56 days

Which type(s) of operations can a displaced threshold be used for?

Takeoffs in either direction, and landing roll from the opposite direction

What surface marking might be present at some airports to indicate that an intersecting taxiway is up ahead?

E

On a Cincinnati sectional, the airport symbol for Lunken has a star on top of the blue circle, indicating

The airport has a rotating beacon

Airport taxiway edge lights are identified at night by

Blue omnidirectional lights

In Class B airspace

The pilot must receive an ATC clearance before operating an aircraft in that area

To fly a Special VFR clearance at night, you must have a

Private Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating

Before operating in Class B airspace

You must have prior permission from ATC, You must have a Mode C transponder

What information is contained in the Chart Supplement publication?

Airport directory, ATC contact info and airport diagrams

You are on the ground and see a steady red-light signal from the tower. What does it indicate?

Stop

Airspace is divided into

Controlled, Uncontrolled, Special Use, and Other

Which figure represents a taxiway direction sign?

Class C airspace resembles

An upside down two layer wedding cake

What does a star next to the letter L (*L) indicate for an airport's description on a sectional chart?

Runway lights are available (pilot-controlled, part-time, or on request)

What type of information is contained in NOTAMs?

Time-sensitive information essential for the safety of flight

In Class B airspace

The pilot must receive an ATC clearance before operating an aircraft in that area

While holding short of a runway on a taxiway you see the sign marked by letter A. ATC clears you for an intersection takeoff on runway 22. Which direction should you go?

Left turn onto the runway

When Ground Control clears you to taxi to a specific runway for departure, you should

Taxi up to the beginning of the runway and hold short

Low level inversions cause

Smoke and dust to be trapped close to the surface

A convective SIGMET primarily deals with

Thunderstorms

The presence of cumulus clouds indicate

Unstable air with clearer visibility

Thunderstorms contain

Hazardous turbulence, hail, poor visibility and lightning

In crossing a front head on, to maintain course, you must make a heading change

To the right

The zone between contrasting air masses is called a

Front