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.

Elevator 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.

Flaps, slats Signup and view all the answers

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

Ailerons, Elevator Signup and view all the answers

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

Critical Mach Number Signup and view all the answers

Which are the three main flight controls of a helicopter?

Collective pitch control, cyclic pitch control, and antitorque pedals or tail rotor control Signup and view all the answers

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

761 mph Signup and view all the answers

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

Mach number Signup and view all the answers

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

Subsonic: Below 0.75, Transonic: 0.75 to 1.20, Supersonic: 1.20 to 5.00, Hypersonic: Above 5.00 Signup and view all the answers

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

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

What are the two primary configurations of rotary wing aircraft?

Autogyro and Single Rotor Helicopter Signup and view all the answers

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

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

What is the function of the throttle in a helicopter?

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. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cyclic pitch control?

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

What is the primary function of the antitorque pedals?

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

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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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.