Stage 1 review

4 Forces of Flight

• Lift is created by the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of an aircraft's wings due to their shape and angle of attack.
• Bernoulli's Principle explains that as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases, which helps us understand how faster airflow over the curved top surface of the wing creates lower pressure, generating lift.
• Newton's 3 Laws of Motion:
  • First Law: An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
  • Second Law: The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma).
  • Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Airfoil and Angles

• Airfoil: The shape of a wing or blade (of a propeller, rotor, or turbine) that generates lift.
• Relative Wind: The direction of airflow relative to the wing or airfoil.
• Angle of Attack (AOA): The angle between the chord line of the wing and the direction of the relative wind.
• Critical AOA: The angle of attack at which a wing stalls because the airflow can no longer adhere to the upper surface.

Stalls and Spins

• Stalls are created when the critical angle of attack is exceeded, causing a loss of lift.
• Stalls can happen during high angles of attack, such as in sharp turns, slow flight, or excessive nose-up attitudes.
• Recovery from a stall involves reducing the angle of attack by pushing the yoke forward and adding power to regain lift and control.
• In a spin, the aircraft descends in a corkscrew path with one wing more stalled than the other.
• Recovery from a spin involves reducing power to idle, neutralizing ailerons, applying full opposite rudder to stop the rotation, and pushing the yoke forward to break the stall.

Drag and Ground Effect

• Induced Drag: Caused by the generation of lift, decreases with higher airspeeds.
• Parasite Drag: Caused by the aircraft's shape and surface friction, increases with higher airspeeds.
• Ground Effect: Occurs when an aircraft is within one wingspan of the ground, reducing induced drag and increasing lift.

Thrust and Wake Turbulence

• Thrust is created by engines generating a force that propels the aircraft forward.
• Propeller works by converting engine power into thrust through its rotating blades.
• Wake Turbulence: Caused by the wingtip vortices of a preceding aircraft.
• Mitigation involves waiting sufficient time between departures and landings and staying above the preceding aircraft's flight path.

Left-Leaning Turning Tendencies

• Left-leaning turning tendencies in single-engine aircraft include P-factor, torque, gyroscopic precession, and spiraling slipstream effects, causing the aircraft to yaw to the left.

Stability

• Static Stability: The aircraft's initial response to a disturbance.
• Dynamic Stability: The aircraft's response over time to a disturbance.
• The Cessna 172 (C172) typically has positive static and dynamic stability, meaning it tends to return to its original attitude after a disturbance.

Aerodynamics

Pressure and Density Altitudes

• Pressure Altitude: The altitude relative to the standard atmosphere pressure of 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg).
• Density Altitude: Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.
• High density altitude reduces aircraft performance due to lower air density, affecting lift, engine power, and propeller efficiency.

Aircraft Systems & Limitations

3 Axis of Operation

• Longitudinal (Roll): Controlled by ailerons.
• Lateral (Pitch): Controlled by the elevator.
• Vertical (Yaw): Controlled by the rudder.

Major Aircraft Components

• Wings: Generate lift.
• Powerplant: Provides thrust (engine and propeller).
• Propeller: Converts engine power into thrust.
• Empennage: Provides stability and control (tail section).
• Fuselage: The main body, housing passengers, cargo, and fuel.
• Landing Gear: Supports the aircraft during takeoff, landing, and taxiing.

Flight Instruments

• Instruments like the altimeter, airspeed indicator, and attitude indicator provide crucial flight information.

Weight and Balance

• Weight: The force due to gravity on the aircraft.
• Arm: The distance from a reference point to the center of gravity of an object.
• Moment: The product of weight and arm.

Performance Calculations

• Calculate ground roll, rate of climb (ROC), takeoff distance, etc., using aircraft performance charts.
• Calculate less taxi fuel by subtracting fuel used during taxi from total fuel.
• Calculate pressure altitude using altimeter setting adjustments.
• Calculate density altitude using pressure altitude and temperature.

Effect of Weight and CG

• Heavier aircraft require more runway and have reduced performance.
• Forward CG increases stability but reduces maneuverability.
• Aft CG decreases stability but improves performance.

Importance of W&B and Performance Calculations

• Ensures safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Aircraft Operations

Preflight Actions

• Preflight actions for flight must include: Notams, Weather, Known ATC delays, Runway lengths, Alternatives, Fuel requirements, and Takeoff/landing distances.

PIC Responsibility

• The pilot in command is directly responsible for and has the final authority over the operation of the aircraft.

Airport Operations

Chart Supplement and Sectional

• Used for navigation and airport information.

Taxiway/Airport/Runway Signs and Lights

• Recognize and interpret signs and lights for safe navigation on the ground.

Airport Beacon Lights

• Help identify the airport at night or in low visibility.

Lost Comms

• Follow established procedures for lost communications, including tower light gun signals.

Windsock

• Indicates wind direction and strength.

Wind Direction for T/O and Landing

• Use into-the-wind for takeoff and landing to maximize performance and safety.

Traffic Pattern Ops

• Enter/exit the pattern properly, follow the standard left-hand pattern unless otherwise specified.

Uncontrolled vs Controlled

• Differentiate between uncontrolled (no control tower) and controlled (with control tower) airports.

CTAF

• Common Traffic Advisory Frequency used at non-towered airports.

ATIS/AWOS/ASOS

• Automated systems providing weather information and airport information.

4 Forces of Flight

• Lift is created by the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of an aircraft's wings due to their shape and angle of attack.
• Bernoulli's Principle explains that as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases, which helps us understand how faster airflow over the curved top surface of the wing creates lower pressure, generating lift.
• Newton's 3 Laws of Motion:
  • First Law: An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
  • Second Law: The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma).
  • Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Airfoil and Angles

• Airfoil: The shape of a wing or blade (of a propeller, rotor, or turbine) that generates lift.
• Relative Wind: The direction of airflow relative to the wing or airfoil.
• Angle of Attack (AOA): The angle between the chord line of the wing and the direction of the relative wind.
• Critical AOA: The angle of attack at which a wing stalls because the airflow can no longer adhere to the upper surface.

Stalls and Spins

• Stalls are created when the critical angle of attack is exceeded, causing a loss of lift.
• Stalls can happen during high angles of attack, such as in sharp turns, slow flight, or excessive nose-up attitudes.
• Recovery from a stall involves reducing the angle of attack by pushing the yoke forward and adding power to regain lift and control.
• In a spin, the aircraft descends in a corkscrew path with one wing more stalled than the other.
• Recovery from a spin involves reducing power to idle, neutralizing ailerons, applying full opposite rudder to stop the rotation, and pushing the yoke forward to break the stall.

Drag and Ground Effect

• Induced Drag: Caused by the generation of lift, decreases with higher airspeeds.
• Parasite Drag: Caused by the aircraft's shape and surface friction, increases with higher airspeeds.
• Ground Effect: Occurs when an aircraft is within one wingspan of the ground, reducing induced drag and increasing lift.

Thrust and Wake Turbulence

• Thrust is created by engines generating a force that propels the aircraft forward.
• Propeller works by converting engine power into thrust through its rotating blades.
• Wake Turbulence: Caused by the wingtip vortices of a preceding aircraft.
• Mitigation involves waiting sufficient time between departures and landings and staying above the preceding aircraft's flight path.

Left-Leaning Turning Tendencies

• Left-leaning turning tendencies in single-engine aircraft include P-factor, torque, gyroscopic precession, and spiraling slipstream effects, causing the aircraft to yaw to the left.

Stability

• Static Stability: The aircraft's initial response to a disturbance.
• Dynamic Stability: The aircraft's response over time to a disturbance.
• The Cessna 172 (C172) typically has positive static and dynamic stability, meaning it tends to return to its original attitude after a disturbance.

Aerodynamics

Pressure and Density Altitudes

• Pressure Altitude: The altitude relative to the standard atmosphere pressure of 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg).
• Density Altitude: Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.
• High density altitude reduces aircraft performance due to lower air density, affecting lift, engine power, and propeller efficiency.

Aircraft Systems & Limitations

3 Axis of Operation

• Longitudinal (Roll): Controlled by ailerons.
• Lateral (Pitch): Controlled by the elevator.
• Vertical (Yaw): Controlled by the rudder.

Major Aircraft Components

• Wings: Generate lift.
• Powerplant: Provides thrust (engine and propeller).
• Propeller: Converts engine power into thrust.
• Empennage: Provides stability and control (tail section).
• Fuselage: The main body, housing passengers, cargo, and fuel.
• Landing Gear: Supports the aircraft during takeoff, landing, and taxiing.

Flight Instruments

• Instruments like the altimeter, airspeed indicator, and attitude indicator provide crucial flight information.

Weight and Balance

• Weight: The force due to gravity on the aircraft.
• Arm: The distance from a reference point to the center of gravity of an object.
• Moment: The product of weight and arm.

Performance Calculations

• Calculate ground roll, rate of climb (ROC), takeoff distance, etc., using aircraft performance charts.
• Calculate less taxi fuel by subtracting fuel used during taxi from total fuel.
• Calculate pressure altitude using altimeter setting adjustments.
• Calculate density altitude using pressure altitude and temperature.

Effect of Weight and CG

• Heavier aircraft require more runway and have reduced performance.
• Forward CG increases stability but reduces maneuverability.
• Aft CG decreases stability but improves performance.

Importance of W&B and Performance Calculations

• Ensures safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Aircraft Operations

Preflight Actions

• Preflight actions for flight must include: Notams, Weather, Known ATC delays, Runway lengths, Alternatives, Fuel requirements, and Takeoff/landing distances.

PIC Responsibility

• The pilot in command is directly responsible for and has the final authority over the operation of the aircraft.

Airport Operations

Chart Supplement and Sectional

• Used for navigation and airport information.

Taxiway/Airport/Runway Signs and Lights

• Recognize and interpret signs and lights for safe navigation on the ground.

Airport Beacon Lights

• Help identify the airport at night or in low visibility.

Lost Comms

• Follow established procedures for lost communications, including tower light gun signals.

Windsock

• Indicates wind direction and strength.

Wind Direction for T/O and Landing

• Use into-the-wind for takeoff and landing to maximize performance and safety.

Traffic Pattern Ops

• Enter/exit the pattern properly, follow the standard left-hand pattern unless otherwise specified.

Uncontrolled vs Controlled

• Differentiate between uncontrolled (no control tower) and controlled (with control tower) airports.

CTAF

• Common Traffic Advisory Frequency used at non-towered airports.

ATIS/AWOS/ASOS

• Automated systems providing weather information and airport information.

4 Forces of Flight

• Lift is created by the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of an aircraft's wings due to their shape and angle of attack.
• Bernoulli's Principle explains that as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases, which helps us understand how faster airflow over the curved top surface of the wing creates lower pressure, generating lift.
• Newton's 3 Laws of Motion:
  • First Law: An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
  • Second Law: The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F = ma).
  • Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

Airfoil and Angles

• Airfoil: The shape of a wing or blade (of a propeller, rotor, or turbine) that generates lift.
• Relative Wind: The direction of airflow relative to the wing or airfoil.
• Angle of Attack (AOA): The angle between the chord line of the wing and the direction of the relative wind.
• Critical AOA: The angle of attack at which a wing stalls because the airflow can no longer adhere to the upper surface.

Stalls and Spins

• Stalls are created when the critical angle of attack is exceeded, causing a loss of lift.
• Stalls can happen during high angles of attack, such as in sharp turns, slow flight, or excessive nose-up attitudes.
• Recovery from a stall involves reducing the angle of attack by pushing the yoke forward and adding power to regain lift and control.
• In a spin, the aircraft descends in a corkscrew path with one wing more stalled than the other.
• Recovery from a spin involves reducing power to idle, neutralizing ailerons, applying full opposite rudder to stop the rotation, and pushing the yoke forward to break the stall.

Drag and Ground Effect

• Induced Drag: Caused by the generation of lift, decreases with higher airspeeds.
• Parasite Drag: Caused by the aircraft's shape and surface friction, increases with higher airspeeds.
• Ground Effect: Occurs when an aircraft is within one wingspan of the ground, reducing induced drag and increasing lift.

Thrust and Wake Turbulence

• Thrust is created by engines generating a force that propels the aircraft forward.
• Propeller works by converting engine power into thrust through its rotating blades.
• Wake Turbulence: Caused by the wingtip vortices of a preceding aircraft.
• Mitigation involves waiting sufficient time between departures and landings and staying above the preceding aircraft's flight path.

Left-Leaning Turning Tendencies

• Left-leaning turning tendencies in single-engine aircraft include P-factor, torque, gyroscopic precession, and spiraling slipstream effects, causing the aircraft to yaw to the left.

Stability

• Static Stability: The aircraft's initial response to a disturbance.
• Dynamic Stability: The aircraft's response over time to a disturbance.
• The Cessna 172 (C172) typically has positive static and dynamic stability, meaning it tends to return to its original attitude after a disturbance.

Aerodynamics

Pressure and Density Altitudes

• Pressure Altitude: The altitude relative to the standard atmosphere pressure of 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg).
• Density Altitude: Pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.
• High density altitude reduces aircraft performance due to lower air density, affecting lift, engine power, and propeller efficiency.

Aircraft Systems & Limitations

3 Axis of Operation

• Longitudinal (Roll): Controlled by ailerons.
• Lateral (Pitch): Controlled by the elevator.
• Vertical (Yaw): Controlled by the rudder.

Major Aircraft Components

• Wings: Generate lift.
• Powerplant: Provides thrust (engine and propeller).
• Propeller: Converts engine power into thrust.
• Empennage: Provides stability and control (tail section).
• Fuselage: The main body, housing passengers, cargo, and fuel.
• Landing Gear: Supports the aircraft during takeoff, landing, and taxiing.

Flight Instruments

• Instruments like the altimeter, airspeed indicator, and attitude indicator provide crucial flight information.

Weight and Balance

• Weight: The force due to gravity on the aircraft.
• Arm: The distance from a reference point to the center of gravity of an object.
• Moment: The product of weight and arm.

Performance Calculations

• Calculate ground roll, rate of climb (ROC), takeoff distance, etc., using aircraft performance charts.
• Calculate less taxi fuel by subtracting fuel used during taxi from total fuel.
• Calculate pressure altitude using altimeter setting adjustments.
• Calculate density altitude using pressure altitude and temperature.

Effect of Weight and CG

• Heavier aircraft require more runway and have reduced performance.
• Forward CG increases stability but reduces maneuverability.
• Aft CG decreases stability but improves performance.

Importance of W&B and Performance Calculations

• Ensures safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Aircraft Operations

Preflight Actions

• Preflight actions for flight must include: Notams, Weather, Known ATC delays, Runway lengths, Alternatives, Fuel requirements, and Takeoff/landing distances.

PIC Responsibility

• The pilot in command is directly responsible for and has the final authority over the operation of the aircraft.

Airport Operations

Chart Supplement and Sectional

• Used for navigation and airport information.

Taxiway/Airport/Runway Signs and Lights

• Recognize and interpret signs and lights for safe navigation on the ground.

Airport Beacon Lights

• Help identify the airport at night or in low visibility.

Lost Comms

• Follow established procedures for lost communications, including tower light gun signals.

Windsock

• Indicates wind direction and strength.

Wind Direction for T/O and Landing

• Use into-the-wind for takeoff and landing to maximize performance and safety.

Traffic Pattern Ops

• Enter/exit the pattern properly, follow the standard left-hand pattern unless otherwise specified.

Uncontrolled vs Controlled

• Differentiate between uncontrolled (no control tower) and controlled (with control tower) airports.

CTAF

• Common Traffic Advisory Frequency used at non-towered airports.

ATIS/AWOS/ASOS

• Automated systems providing weather information and airport information.