stage 1 ground prep

what is a pirep  

A Pilot Weather Report submitted by a pilot inflight, providing real-time weather observations.

why are pireps important

They give updated weather conditions that may not be in forecasts and help other pilots and ATC.

What are the two types of PIREPs?

UA (Routine) and UUA (Urgent).

decode this pirep: CHA UA/OV CHA240010/TM 2224/FL095 /TPE145/SK BASES055

The PIREP indicates routine weather conditions at Chattanooga located at 240 degrees and 10 nautical miles from the station, reported at 2224Z. It gives a flight level of 9,500 with the type of aircraft being a E145 at cloud bases at 5,500 feet.

what are the different types of fronts and there colors on weather prog chart

There are four main types of fronts: cold fronts (blue line with triangles), warm fronts (red line with semicircles), stationary fronts (alternating blue and red line), and occluded fronts (purple line with triangles and semicircles). Each type is represented by specific colors and symbols on weather prog charts. trough (lines of low pressure)

what direction do high pressure areas rotate

rotate clockwise

what direction do low pressure areas rotate

rotate counterclockwise.

what are the gray lines on a prog chart

isobars (lines of equal atmospheric pressure)

What are the effects of a forward center of gravity?

Longer takeoff roll, higher stall speed, slower cruise speed, but easier stall recovery. more stable

What are the effects of an aft center of gravity?

Shorter takeoff roll, lower stall speed, faster cruise speed, but harder stall recovery and less stability.

Why is CG location important?

It affects stability, control, and overall aircraft performance.

What causes a stall?

Exceeding the critical angle of attack, regardless of airspeed.

What is induced drag?

Drag created by the production of lift, most prominent at high angles of attack.

What are the three types of parasite drag?

Skin friction, form drag, and interference drag.

How is lift created?

is created when air flows faster over the curved top surface of the wing, decreasing pressure (Bernoulli’s Principle), and the deflected downward airflow creates an opposite upward force (Newton’s 3rd Law).

What is Angle of Attack (AOA)?

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

What is the chord line?

An imaginary straight line from the leading edge to the trailing edge of an airfoil.

What happens to lift at higher angles of attack?

Lift increases—up to the critical angle of attack. Beyond that point, the wing stalls.

when is induced drag at its greatest

at low airspeeds and high angles of attack.

What are the four left-turning tendencies in a propeller aircraft?

Torque, P-factor (asymmetric thrust), spiraling slipstream, gyroscopic precession.

What is torque effect?

The propeller spins clockwise (from cockpit), so the airplane wants to roll

What is P-factor?

At high AOA, the descending blade takes a bigger bite of air, shifting thrust right and causing left yaw.

What is spiraling slipstream?

Spiraling air from the prop strikes the left side of the vertical stabilizer, pushing the nose left.

What is gyroscopic precession?

Pitching down causes a yaw to the left; tailwheel aircraft’s rotating prop acting like a gyroscope

What is adverse yaw?

When the aircraft yaws in the opposite direction of a turn due to increased drag on the lowered aileron.

When is adverse yaw most noticeable?

At low airspeeds and large control inputs.

What is the horizontal component of lift?

The portion of lift that acts toward the center of the turn, pulling the airplane in a circular path.

What changes about lift in a banked turn?

Total lift must increase to overcome both weight and provide the horizontal component needed for the turn.

What are the three primary flight controls?

Elevator (pitch), ailerons (roll), and rudder (yaw).

What reduces adverse yaw

differential ailerons

What are the secondary flight controls?

Flaps and trim.

What is the purpose of flaps?

Increase lift and induced drag at lower speeds to aid in takeoff and landing.

What do the push rods operate on the DA-40?

Elevator, ailerons, and flaps.

What type of ailerons does the DA-40 use?

Differential ailerons

What is a magneto and why is it important?

A self-contained ignition system that provides spark to the engine; it works independently of the electrical system.

Why are there two magnetos?

For redundancy and more efficient engine performance.

What is a constant speed propeller?

A propeller that changes blade pitch to maintain constant RPM for better performance and efficiency.

What does the alternator do?

Converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy (28 volts, 70 amps) to power the electrical system and recharge the battery.

What are the battery specs in the DA-40?

24 volts, 13.6 amp-hour battery.

What kind of fuel system does the DA-40 have?

Fuel-injected system with one mechanical and one electric fuel pump.

What does a solid double yellow line mean on a taxiway?

It marks the edge of the taxiway — do not cross unless authorized.

What color are runway edge lights?

White (yellow on the last 2,000 feet or half the runway length).

What are taxiway centerline lights?

Green lights.

What are runway guard lights?

Flashing yellow lights at runway hold short lines.

What color and type are runway holding position signs?

Red background with white letters; indicate where you must stop before entering a runway.

What does a sign with “25-7” on a red background mean?

You’re holding short of Runway 25/7; do not cross without clearance.

What is a direction sign?

Yellow background with black letters and arrows; indicates taxiway direction.

What does a taxiway location sign look like?

black background with yellow letter; tells you which taxiway you are currently on.

What is a runway exit sign?

Indicates the direction and name of the exit taxiway off a runway; yellow background with black letters and arrow.

What does a runway distance remaining sign look like?

Black sign with white numbers; shows how many thousands of feet of runway remain during takeoff/landing rollout.

What does a dashed yellow line crossing a taxiway mean?

Taxiway edge within useable area (EX. ramp)

What does a solid double yellow line with double vertical lines across a taxiway mean?

ILS Critical Area boundary

What does a double solid and dashed yellow line at a taxiway/runway intersection mean?

Runway hold short line

What do the white runway threshold markings (blocks) indicate?

The beginning of the landing portion of the runway.

What are chevrons on a runway?

(blast pad)Marked areas that are not suitable for landing, takeoff, or taxi.

What color are runway centerline lights?

White — then alternating red and white for the last 3,000 feet, and all red for the last 1,000 feet.

What color are taxiway edge lights?

Blue

What color are stop bar lights?

Steady red — used at runway intersections

What are REILs?

(Runway End Identifier Lights)Flashing white strobe lights at both sides of the runway threshold to aid in identifying the runway end.

What does the magneto system power?

The spark plugs; it operates independently of the electrical system.

What happens if one magneto fails?

you’ll notice rough engine performance or a drop in RPM

What are symptoms of carburetor icing

Gradual loss of RPM or power, engine roughness.

What is the difference between a stall and a spin?

A stall is a loss of lift; a spin adds yaw, causing a uncoordinated stall

What is the spin recovery acronym?

PARE

When are spins most likely to occur?

Base-to-final turn

What kind of aircraft are typically certified for intentional spins?

Aircraft in the Utility or Acrobatic category

who can do annual inspections

A&P mechanic with inspection authorization

Are students allowed to perform special vfr at night

No — Special VFR at night is only allowed if the pilot is instrument-rated and the aircraft is IFR-equipped.

Is Special VFR allowed during the day for private pilots?

Yes, if ATC approves and minimums are met (1 SM visibility, clear of clouds, in controlled airspace).

When is the greatest risk for midair collisions?

During climbs, descents, and in the traffic pattern — especially near uncontrolled airports.

What is the most effective method of collision avoidance?

Scanning technique

When is wake turbulence strongest?

From a heavy, clean, slow aircraft.

How should you avoid wake turbulence on takeoff?

take off before the rotation point of the preceding aircraft and climb above its path.

How should you avoid wake turbulence on landing?

Stay above the glide path and land beyond the touchdown point of the preceding aircraft.

What is windshear?

A sudden change in wind speed and/or direction over a short distance.

Where is windshear most likely to occur?

Near thunderstorms, frontal boundaries, and temperature inversions.

What is the best action if you suspect windshear on approach?

Execute a go-around with full power and pitch for a positive rate of climb.

what is the difference between risk and hazard

risk is the probability and hazard is the condition and situation

what equipment is apart of the essential buss switch

Artificial Horizon - Attitude Gyro

Air Data Computer (ADC)

Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS) Primary Flight Display (PFD)

Pitot (PITOT)

Flaps (FLAPS)

(COM1)

(GPS/NAV1)

Transponder

Landing Light

Flood Light (FLOOD)

Battery (BATT)

Master Control

Engine Instruments (ENG. INST.)

Starter

what is IMSAFE

illness

medication

stress

alcohol

fatigue

emotion

what does ADS-B out stand for

Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast

what does trim do?

relive pressure

components of VSI

calibrated leak/diaphragm