Aircraft Aerodynamics - Theory of Flight
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Questions and Answers

Around what three axes do the primary flight controls move an aeroplane?

Lateral or Horizontal, Longitudinal, Vertical

Movement of the _ in flight causes the aircraft to roll.

ailerons

The _ is the primary flight control that moves the aircraft around the horizontal or lateral axis.

elevator

An _ tab is used to maintain the speed of an aircraft since it assists in maintaining the selected pitch.

<p>Elevator</p> Signup and view all the answers

_ and _ are lowered to increase the camber of the wings and provide greater lift and control at slow speeds.

<p>Flaps, slats</p> Signup and view all the answers

Elevons perform the combined functions of the _ and the _.

<p>Ailerons, Elevator</p> Signup and view all the answers

At which speed a shock wave is generated during transonic flight?

<p>Critical Mach Number</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which are the three main flight controls of a helicopter?

<p>Collective pitch control, cyclic pitch control, and antitorque pedals or tail rotor control (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the speed of sound in air at standard day temperature of 59°F?

<p>761 mph</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit of measurement for flight speed in high-altitude flight?

<p>Mach number</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the approximate Mach number ranges for the following flight regimes:

<p>Subsonic: Below 0.75, Transonic: 0.75 to 1.20, Supersonic: 1.20 to 5.00, Hypersonic: Above 5.00 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a helicopter maintains a constant position above the ground?

<p>The lift and thrust produced by the rotor system act straight up and must equal the weight and drag, which act straight down.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the two primary configurations of rotary wing aircraft?

<p>Autogyro and Single Rotor Helicopter</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the swash plate in a helicopter?

<p>The purpose of the swash plate is to transmit control inputs from the collective and cyclic controls to the main rotor blades.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the throttle in a helicopter?

<p>The function of the throttle is to regulate engine rpm. The throttle control is much like a motorcycle throttle, but it is used to maintain the desired rpm for the helicopter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cyclic pitch control?

<p>The cyclic pitch control allows the pilot to fly the helicopter in any horizontal direction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the antitorque pedals?

<p>The antitorque pedals control the pitch and, therefore, the thrust of the tail rotor blades.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is a stabilator?

A movable horizontal tail section that combines the action of both the horizontal stabilizer and the elevator.

What are ailerons?

The primary flight control surface that causes the aircraft to roll around the longitudinal axis.

What are spoilers?

A device found on the upper surface of many heavy and high-performance aircraft that disrupts laminar airflow, reducing lift.

What is the elevator?

The primary flight control surface that changes the aircraft's pitch about the horizontal or lateral axis.

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What is angle of incidence?

The angle at which a wing is set relative to the horizontal axis, affecting lift and drag.

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What is a variable incidence stabilizer?

A type of horizontal stabilizer in which the angle of incidence is adjustable, allowing for more efficient trimming.

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What is a canard?

A lifting surface located in front of the main wings, acting as a horizontal stabilizer and providing lift.

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What is the rudder?

The primary flight control surface that causes the aircraft to yaw or move about the vertical axis.

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What is a trim tab?

A small movable surface located on the trailing edge of a primary flight control surface, used to reduce control force and maintain flight condition.

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What is a balance tab?

A tab that moves when the pilot moves the control surface, aiding in overcoming the force needed to move the control surface.

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What is a servo tab?

A tab that assists or provides the force for moving a primary flight control surface.

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What is a spring tab?

A tab located in line with the direct linkage to a servo tab, providing additional force when control forces become high.

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What is an anti-servo tab or anti-balance tab?

A tab that moves in the same direction as the main control surface, increasing the force required to move it.

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What is a rudder limiter?

A device that limits the involuntary movement of the rudder, preventing excessive yaw.

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What are flaps?

Devices that extend the camber of the wing, increasing lift and enabling control at slower speeds.

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What is a fowler flap?

A flap that lowers the trailing edge of the wing, but also slides aft, increasing wing area and lift.

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What are slats?

A leading-edge device that extends wing camber, allowing the aircraft to fly slower and higher angles of attack.

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What are slots?

A fixed device mounted to extend the leading edge of the wing, increasing camber and delaying stall.

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What are elevons?

Control surfaces that combine the functions of ailerons and elevators, typically used on aircraft without a traditional empennage.

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What are ruddervators?

Control surfaces that combine the functions of a rudder and elevator, used on aircraft with V-tails.

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What are speed brakes?

Dedicated panels on the upper surface of the wings, designed to increase drag and reduce speed.

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What is Mach number?

The ratio of the true airspeed of the aircraft to the speed of sound in the same atmospheric conditions.

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What is subsonic flight?

Flight at speeds below Mach 0.75, where all airflow is subsonic.

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What is transonic flight?

Flight at speeds between Mach 0.75 and 1.20, where some parts experience supersonic airflow.

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What is supersonic flight?

Flight at speeds between Mach 1.20 and 5.00, where all airflow is supersonic.

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What is critical Mach number?

The speed at which a shock wave forms on an aircraft, indicating the transition from subsonic to transonic flight.

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What is a shock wave?

A piling up of sound energy, creating a high-pressure wave that can be heard as a sonic boom when it reaches the ground.

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What is autorotation?

The state of flight in which the main rotor system of a helicopter is turned by airflow rather than engine power, allowing for controlled descent.

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What is torque?

The tendency for the fuselage of a single-rotor helicopter to rotate in the opposite direction of the main rotor due to torque.

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What is a tail rotor?

A system that counteracts torque in single-rotor helicopters, typically using a small rotor on the tail boom.

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What is the collective pitch control?

A helicopter control that adjusts the pitch of the main rotor blades, affecting lift and altitude.

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What is the cyclic pitch control?

A helicopter control that tilts the plane of rotation of the main rotor, affecting direction of travel.

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Study Notes

Aircraft Aerodynamics, Structures and Systems - Theory of Flight

  • Sub-Module 01 - Theory of Flight
    • Airplane Aerodynamics and Flight Controls
      • Operation and effect of roll control surfaces (ailerons, spoilers)
      • Operation and effect of pitch control surfaces (elevators, stabilators, variable incidence stabilizers, canards)
      • Operation and effect of yaw control (rudder limiters)
      • Control using elevons, ruddervators
      • High lift devices (slots, slats, flaps, drag-inducing devices: spoilers, lift dumpers, speed brakes)
      • Operation and effect of trim tabs, servo tabs, control surface bias
    • High Speed Flight
      • Speed of sound, subsonic flight, transonic flight, supersonic flight
      • Mach number, critical Mach number
    • Rotary Wing Aerodynamics
      • Terminology
      • Operation and effect of cyclic, collective, and anti-torque controls

Primary Flight Control Surfaces

  • Ailerons, elevators, and the rudder
  • Ailerons attached to the trailing edge of the wings, controlling roll
  • Elevators attached to the horizontal stabilizer, controlling pitch
  • Rudder attached to the vertical stabilizer, controlling yaw

Operation and Effect of Roll Control Devices - Ailerons

  • Movement of ailerons causes aircraft roll
  • Located on the outboard trailing edge of wings
  • Controlled by side-to-side motion of the control stick/yoke
  • Deflection of one aileron down causes the opposite aileron to deflect upward
  • Amplifies longitudinal axis movement

Operation and Effect of Pitch Control Devices - Elevators

  • Elevators control the aircraft's pitch
  • Hinged to the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer
  • Controlled by pushing or pulling the control yoke forward or aft
  • Simple, light aircraft may lack hydraulics or electric systems, more complex systems found on large/heavy aircrafts.

Operation and Effect of Yaw Control Devices - Rudders

  • Rudders control the aircraft's yaw
  • Hinged to the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer
  • Controlled by foot-operated rudder pedals
  • When rudder is moved, aircraft yaw

Secondary or Auxiliary Flight Control Surfaces

  • Various secondary control surfaces with specific names, locations, and functions, mostly relevant to large aircraft

Operation and Effect of Tabs

  • Trim tabs are small movable surfaces
  • Used to reduce the force required to move other control surfaces
  • Maintaining specified aircraft condition. (Trim)

Spoilers

  • Spoilers are used on heavy, high-performance aircraft
  • Located on the upper surface of the wing
  • Raises up into the airstream to reduce lift

High Lift Devices - Flaps

  • Flaps are used to increase lift at slower speeds
  • Located on trailing edges of most aircraft wings
  • Increasing camber and surface area of wing

High Lift Devices - Slats

  • Slats are located on the leading edge of the wing
  • Increase wing camber and improve lift at slow speeds

High Lift Devices - Slots

  • Fixed, leading-edge device that increases camber
  • Increases lift at low speeds, reducing stall speed

High Speed Flight - Speed of Sound

  • Sound is pressure disturbances in the air
  • Speed of sound changes with temperature and altitude

High Speed Flight - Mach Number

  • Mach number = true airspeed / speed of sound
  • Subsonic: below Mach 0.75
  • Transonic: 0.75-1.20
  • Supersonic: 1.20-5.00
  • Hypersonic: above 5.00

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Aircraft Aerodynamics Structures & Systems PDF

Description

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of aircraft aerodynamics and flight controls. You'll explore the operation and effects of primary control surfaces, high-speed flight phenomena, and rotary wing aerodynamics. Test your knowledge on key topics such as Mach number and control surface functions.

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