Checkride Prep - Cessna 172N Systems

Questions and Answers

What action should you take if the ammeter indicates a continuous discharge during flight?

Check the circuit breaker

The flight should be terminated and a landing made as soon as possible (correct)

Turn off alternator; pull the circuit breaker (correct)

All electrical equipment not essential to flight should be turned off (correct)

What action should be taken if the ammeter indicates a continuous charge inflight (more than two needle widths)?

Check the fuel levels

All electrical equipment not essential to flight should be turned off (correct)

The flight should be terminated and a landing made as soon as possible (correct)

The alternator should be turned off; pull the circuit breaker (correct)

During a cross country flight, you notice that the oil pressure is low, but the oil temperature is normal. What should be the course of action?

Landing at the nearest airport is advisable to check for the cause of trouble.

What procedures should be followed concerning a partial loss of power in flight?

Establish and maintain suitable airspeed Signup and view all the answers

What procedures should be followed if an engine fire develops in flight?

Establish an airspeed of 100 KIAS and increase descent Signup and view all the answers

What procedures should be followed if an engine fire develops on the ground during starting?

Set the throttle to full open if the engine doesn't start Signup and view all the answers

What instruments operate off the pitot/static system?

Altimeter, airspeed indicator, and VSI Signup and view all the answers

How does an altimeter work?

Aneroid wafers expand and contract as atmospheric pressure changes, rotating pointers on the dial. Signup and view all the answers

What are the limitations of a pressure altimeter?

Nonstandard pressure and temperature variations affect accuracy. Signup and view all the answers

What is absolute altitude?

The vertical distance above the ground. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated altitude?

The altitude read directly from the altimeter after it is set to the current setting. Signup and view all the answers

What is pressure altitude?

The altitude when the altimeter setting is set to 29.92. Signup and view all the answers

What is true altitude?

The true vertical distance of the aircraft above sea level. Signup and view all the answers

What is density altitude?

Pressure altitude adjusted for nonstandard temperature variations. Signup and view all the answers

How does the airspeed indicator operate?

It measures the differences between impact pressure from the pitot head and atmospheric pressure from the static source. Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of the airspeed indicator?

It requires proper flow of air to the pitot/static system. Signup and view all the answers

What are the errors associated with the airspeed indicator?

Position error, density error, and compressibility error may all affect accuracy. Signup and view all the answers

What are the different types of aircraft speeds?

EAS - Equivalent Air Speed Signup and view all the answers

How does the vertical speed indicator work?

It is a pressure differential instrument that measures static pressure changes. Signup and view all the answers

What are the limitations of the VSI?

Requires a 6 to 9 second lag for stabilization; sudden changes can lead to erroneous readings. Signup and view all the answers

What instruments contain gyroscopes?

The turn coordinator, the heading indicator, and the attitude indicator. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two fundamental properties of a gyroscope?

Rigidity in Space and Precession. Signup and view all the answers

What are the various sources of power that may be used to power gyroscopic instruments?

They can be powered through vacuum, pressure, or electrical means. Signup and view all the answers

How does the vacuum system operate?

An engine-driven vacuum pump provides suction to pull air from the instrument case. Signup and view all the answers

How does the attitude indicator work?

The gyro depends on rigidity in space and remains stable as the aircraft is pitched or banked. Signup and view all the answers

What are the limitations of the attitude indicator?

There are pitch and bank limits which can lead to incorrect indications if exceeded. Signup and view all the answers

What are the errors of the attitude indicator?

Slight nose up indication during rapid acceleration and nose down during rapid deceleration. Signup and view all the answers

How does the heading indicator operate?

The rotor of the gyro turns in a vertical plane, holding the compass card in place. Signup and view all the answers

What type of engine does your aircraft have?

A Lycoming, normally aspirated, direct-drive, air-cooled, horizontally-opposed, carburetor equipped, four-cylinder engine with a 320 cu.in. displacement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the horse power and engine rpm for your aircraft?

160 rated BHP, 2700 RPM. Signup and view all the answers

What type of propeller does your aircraft have?

A fixed pitch propeller. Signup and view all the answers

What type of fuel is approved for your aircraft and what are the associated fuel colors?

100LL Grade Aviation Fuel (blue), and 100 Grade Aviation Fuel (green). Signup and view all the answers

What is the total and usable fuel capacity for your aircraft?

43 total gallons, with 40 usable gallons. Signup and view all the answers

What type of oil does your aircraft use?

MIL-L-22851 Ashless Dispersant Oil. Signup and view all the answers

What is your aircraft's oil capacity?

8 quarts Signup and view all the answers

What is the max weight for your aircraft in the normal category?

2300 lbs Signup and view all the answers

What is the VNE for your airplane?

160 KIAS Signup and view all the answers

What is the VNO for your airplane?

128 KIAS Signup and view all the answers

What is VA at max weight for your aircraft?

97 KIAS Signup and view all the answers

Does VA increase or decrease with a weight increase?

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the VFE for your aircraft?

85 KIAS Signup and view all the answers

What is the short field obstacle clearance speed for your aircraft?

59 KIAS (with no flaps) Signup and view all the answers

What is the obstacle clearance speed for 10 degrees of flaps, when taking off from a soft field?

55 KIAS Signup and view all the answers

What are the procedures for an over-primed aircraft during starting procedures?

Clear the excess fuel from the combustion chambers. Set the mixture control to full lean and the throttle to full open; then crank the engine through several revolutions with the starter. Repeat starting procedure without any additional priming. Signup and view all the answers

If the engine does not fire while starting what should you do?

Do additional priming. Signup and view all the answers

During a magneto check, what does a lack of RPM decrease indicate?

Indicates faulty grounding of the P-lead wire on one side of the ignition system or that the magneto timing is set in advance of the specified setting. Signup and view all the answers

What precautions should be taken when taking off on loose gravel?

Apply full power smoothly and slower than normal to avoid gravel being sucked into the propeller and engine. Signup and view all the answers

At what altitude should the mixture be leaned for takeoff?

Above 3000 feet elevation. Signup and view all the answers

When should slips be avoided?

With flap settings greater than 20 degrees. Signup and view all the answers

How many spark plugs does each cylinder have?

2 each (4x2=8 total) Signup and view all the answers

What type of carburetor does your aircraft have?

An up-draft, float-type, fixed jet carburetor mounted on the bottom of the engine. Signup and view all the answers

How is the engine cooled?

Primarily through ram air, secondarily by engine oil, and lastly by the mixture. Signup and view all the answers

When the fuel gauges indicate E, how much fuel is left in each tank?

1.5 gallons in each tank. Signup and view all the answers

How is fuel measured in the aircraft?

Through two float-type fuel quantity transmitters. Signup and view all the answers

When should you examine the fuel in your aircraft?

The first flight of every day and after every refueling to check for water and contamination. Signup and view all the answers

What type of brakes does your aircraft have?

A single-disc, hydraulically-actuated brake on each main landing gear wheel. Signup and view all the answers

What are some symptoms of impending brake failure?

Gradual decrease in braking action after brake application, noisy or dragging brakes, soft or spongy pedals, and excessive travel and weak braking action. Signup and view all the answers

What action would build braking pressure?

Pumping the pedals. Signup and view all the answers

How is electrical energy applied to your aircraft?

Through a 28 volt, direct-current system powered by an engine-driven, 60 amp alternator and a 24 volt, 14-amp hour battery. Signup and view all the answers

How many electrical buses does your aircraft have?

Two: Primary bus and an Avionics bus. Signup and view all the answers

What connects the primary and avionics bus?

The avionics power switch. Signup and view all the answers

When is the primary bus on?

Anytime the master switch is on. Signup and view all the answers

Why should the avionics power switch be in the off position prior to turning the master switch on/off, starting the engine or applying external power source?

To prevent harmful transient voltage from damaging the avionics equipment. Signup and view all the answers

What type of master switch does the aircraft have?

The master switch is a split-rocker type switch labeled BAT and ALT. Signup and view all the answers

What happens if you place the ALT switch in the off position?

All the electrical loads will be placed on the battery. Signup and view all the answers

What does the ammeter on your aircraft do?

It indicates the flow of current in amperes from the alternator to the battery, or from the battery to the airplane electrical system. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if the red HIGH VOLTAGE light illuminates?

An over-voltage condition has occurred and the over-voltage sensor has shut down the alternator. Signup and view all the answers

How can you reset the over-voltage sensor?

By placing the avionics switch to off, then turning the master switch off and back on again. Signup and view all the answers

How does the alternate static source work?

This valve supplies static pressure from inside the cabin instead of the external static port. Signup and view all the answers

What does the vacuum system consist of and what does it provide suction for?

It consists of a vacuum pump, a vacuum relief valve, and air filter, providing suction for the attitude indicator and the heading indicator. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best glide speed for your aircraft?

65 KIAS. Signup and view all the answers

How are each of the six instruments in your airplane controlled?

Three are controlled through the pitot static system, one electrically, and two via vacuum. Signup and view all the answers

What four strokes must occur in each cylinder of a typical four-stroke engine for it to produce full power?

Intake, Compression, Power, Exhaust. Signup and view all the answers

What does the carburetor do?

Carburation mixes fuel and air in the correct proportions to form a combustible mixture. Signup and view all the answers

How does the carburetor heat system work?

A carb heat valve allows unfiltered, heated air to be directed to the induction air manifold. Signup and view all the answers

What change occurs to the fuel/air mixture when applying carburetor heat?

It results in a richer mixture. Signup and view all the answers

What does the mixture control do?

It regulates the fuel-to-air ratio to prevent the mixture from becoming too rich at high altitudes. Signup and view all the answers

What type of ignition system does your airplane have and explain how the starting process works?

It has two engine-driven magnetos that supply electrical current independently of the aircraft electrical system. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main advantages of a dual ignition system?

Increased safety and improved engine performance. Signup and view all the answers

What type of fuel system does your airplane have?

Gravity feed fuel system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the fuel tank vents?

They prevent the formation of a vacuum in the tanks as the fuel level decreases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the manual primer, and how does it operate?

The primer draws fuel from the fuel strainer and injects it into the cylinder intake ports. Signup and view all the answers

How are the circuits for the various electrical accessories within the aircraft protected?

They are protected by circuit breakers and some fuses. Signup and view all the answers

What does the electrical system provide power for in the airplane?

Radio equipment, turn coordinator, fuel gauges, pitot heat, lights, flaps, stall warning system, oil temperature gauges. Signup and view all the answers

What function does the voltage regulator have?

It monitors system voltage and adjusts the alternator output to maintain constant voltage. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the generator/alternator voltage output slightly higher than the battery voltage?

To keep the battery charged. Signup and view all the answers

How does the aircraft cabin heat work?

Fresh air, heated by an exhaust shroud, is directed to the cabin through ducts. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five basic functions of aircraft oil?

Lubricates, cools, removes heat, seals, and cleans. Signup and view all the answers

What causes carburetor icing and what are the first indications?

Vaporization of fuel and air expansion cause cooling; the first indication is a drop in engine RPM. Signup and view all the answers

How can you determine that carburetor ice has been eliminated?

A rise in RPM after the initial drop when heat is applied indicates the ice has melted. Signup and view all the answers

What conditions are favorable for carburetor icing?

Temperatures below 70 degrees F and relative humidity of 80 percent. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between anti-icing equipment and de-icing equipment?

Anti-icing prevents ice formation; de-icing removes ice that has already formed. Signup and view all the answers

What is detonation?

An uncontrolled, explosive ignition of the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the most common operational causes of detonation?

Using lower fuel grade, extremely high manifold pressures, overly lean mixture, and extended ground operations. Signup and view all the answers

What actions should be taken if detonation is suspected?

Reduce power, reduce climb rate, enrich the fuel/air mixture, open cowl flaps if available. Signup and view all the answers

What is preignition?

Ignition of the fuel/air mixture prior to the normal ignition event. Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken if preignition is suspected?

Reduce power, reduce climb rate, enrich the mixture, open cowl flaps if available. Signup and view all the answers

During the runup, you switch the magnetos from both to right position and notice there is no drop in RPM. What condition could this indicate?

The left P-lead is not grounding, or the left magneto has failed. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if the ammeter indicates a right (positive) deflection?

Power from the battery used for starting is being replenished by the alternator. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean if the ammeter indicates a left (negative) deflection?

It indicates that the alternator is not functioning or an overload condition exists. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aircraft Engine and Fuel System

Equipped with a Lycoming, normally aspirated, four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 320 cu.in.
Engine produces 160 rated BHP at 2700 RPM.
Uses 100LL (blue) and 100 (green) grade aviation fuels.
Total fuel capacity is 43 gallons, with 40 gallons usable.
Oil capacity is 8 quarts, utilizing MIL-L-22851 Ashless Dispersant Oil.
Gravity feed fuel system with two float-type fuel quantity transmitters.
Fuel tank vents prevent vacuum formation as fuel levels drop.
Manual primer aids in starting by injecting fuel directly into cylinder intake ports.

Aircraft Performance and Limitations

Maximum weight for normal category is 2300 lbs.
VNE (Never Exceed Speed) is 160 KIAS; VNO (Maximum Structural Cruising Speed) is 128 KIAS.
VA (Maneuvering Speed) at max weight is 97 KIAS; VA increases with weight.
VFE (Maximum Flap Extended Speed) is 85 KIAS.
Short field obstacle clearance speed is 59 KIAS (no flaps) and 55 KIAS (10 degrees of flaps).
Best glide speed is 65 KIAS.

Engine and Starting Procedures

Engine utilizes dual ignition system with two spark plugs per cylinder for increased safety and combustion efficiency.
Starting procedure involves engaging starter motor which turns the propeller and activates magnetos to ignite the fuel-air mixture.
Over-primed engine requires mixture control set to full lean and throttle to full open before cranking.
Under-primed engine requires additional priming for successful start.

Electrical System

Powered by a 28-volt, direct-current system with a 60 amp alternator and 24-volt, 14-amp hour battery.
Two electrical buses: Primary and Avionics, connected by the avionics power switch.
Ammeter indicates current flow; right deflection shows charging from alternator, while left deflection indicates a discharge condition.
Continuous overcharge requires turning off the alternator to prevent battery overheating.

Carburetor and Fuel Mixture

Up-draft, float-type, fixed jet carburetor, ensuring fuel and air mix properly.
Carburetor heat system enriches mixture by introducing heated air, effective when colder temperatures lead to icing.
Carburetor icing can cause a drop in RPM; it's favored by temperatures below 70°F and high humidity.

Engine Operation Concerns

Detonation results from explosive ignition, often caused by low-grade fuel or excessive power settings; requires power reduction and mixture enrichment if suspected.
Preignition leads to premature ignition of the fuel-air mixture; similar corrective actions apply if suspected.
Low oil pressure with normal oil temperature indicates possible oil insufficiency or gauge malfunction; landing advised.

Flight Maneuvers and Safety

Avoid slips with flaps greater than 20 degrees to maintain control.
Full power during takeoff on loose gravel must be smooth to prevent debris ingestion.
Mixture should be leaned above 3000 feet to optimize performance.

Brake System

Single-disc, hydraulically-actuated brakes on each main wheel; symptoms of brake failure include noisy or weak braking action.
Braking pressure can be built by pumping the pedals.### Engine Fire Procedures In-Flight
Set mixture control to idle cut off to stop fuel flow.
Turn fuel selector valve to off to prevent fuel supply.
Switch master switch to off to cut electrical power.
Turn off cabin heat and air vents; leave overhead vents open for evacuation.
Maintain airspeed of 100 KIAS and increase descent to mitigate fire risks.
Follow forced landing procedures checklist to ensure a safe landing.

Engine Fire Procedures On Ground

Continue attempts to start the engine as it may help reduce flames by drawing in fire.
If the engine starts, increase RPM briefly and then shut it down.
If the engine does not start, set throttle to full open and mixture to idle cut off while continuing to attempt starting.
If fire persists, turn ignition switch and master switch off, then set fuel selector to off.
Evacuate the aircraft immediately and secure fire extinguishing assistance.

Pitot/Static System Instruments

Instruments operational via pitot/static system include altimeter, airspeed indicator, and vertical speed indicator (VSI).

Altimeter Functionality

Altimeter utilizes aneroid wafers that expand/contract with atmospheric pressure changes, moving pointers to indicate altitude.

Limitations of Pressure Altimeter

Nonstandard pressure and temperature can cause incorrect altitude readings.
Warm temperature results in lower indicated altitude.
Cold temperature results in higher indicated altitude.
Higher than standard pressure leads to lower indicated altitude; lower pressure results in higher indicated altitude.

Altitude Definitions

Absolute Altitude: Vertical distance above ground level.
Indicated Altitude: Displayed altitude on the altimeter after current settings.
Pressure Altitude: Altitude with altimeter set to 29.92 inHg.
True Altitude: Actual altitude above sea level (Mean Sea Level - MSL).
Density Altitude: Pressure altitude adjusted for nonstandard temperature variations.

Airspeed Indicator Operation

The airspeed indicator measures differential pressure between impact pressure (pitot head) and static pressure from the static source.

Limitations of Airspeed Indicator

Accurate measurements depend on proper airflow to the pitot/static system.

Airspeed Indicator Errors

Position Error: Incorrect static pressure measurement from disturbed airflow around static ports.
Density Error: Instrument does not compensate for altitude and temperature variations.
Compressibility Error: Increased air speed at high speeds leads to packed air in the pitot tube, showing inflated readings.

Types of Aircraft Speeds

Indicated Air Speed (IAS): Directly observed speed on airspeed indicator.
Calibrated Air Speed (CAS): IAS corrected for instrument and position errors.
Equivalent Air Speed (EAS): IAS corrected for position error and compressibility at altitude.
True Air Speed (TAS): CAS adjusted for altitude and nonstandard temperature, representing actual speed through air mass.

Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)

VSI operates as a pressure differential instrument, responding to changes in static pressure as the aircraft ascends or descends.

VSI Limitations

Inaccurate readings until aircraft stabilizes; a lag of 6 to 9 seconds may occur.

Gyroscope-Operated Instruments

Instruments powered by gyroscopes include turn coordinator, heading indicator, and attitude indicator.

Gyroscope Properties

Rigidity in Space: Gyroscopes maintain a fixed position in the plane of rotation.
Precession: Gyros respond to forces at a 90-degree delay, influenced by rotor speed and deflective forces.

Gyroscopic Instrument Power Sources

Vacuum System Operation

Engine-driven vacuum pump creates suction, pulling air from instrument cases; filters and vents into the cockpit.

Attitude Indicator Functionality

Gyro mounted horizontally provides attitude information; changes in aircraft pitch/bank do not affect gyro's fixed position.

Attitude Indicator Limitations

Exceeding pitch/bank limits can lead to erroneous indications until reset.

Attitude Indicator Errors

Minor errors may occur, such as a slight nose up indication during rapid acceleration.

Heading Indicator Operation

Gyro-rotor turns vertically with compass card fixed relative to the rotor, keeping cardinal points consistent to vertical reference.

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Description

Prepare for your checkride with this flashcard quiz covering essential Cessna 172N airplane systems. Test your knowledge on engine specifications, propeller types, and other critical information needed for your flight. Enhance your understanding and increase your confidence before the big day.