22 Questions
Which airspeed is used to determine the minimum sink rate in a glider?
Best glide speed
Which factor(s) affect glider performance during the launch phase, landing, and free flight phase?
Density altitude and atmospheric pressure
What happens to glider performance when the barometric pressure drops?
Air density decreases
What do most performance charts require a pilot to compute?
Density altitude
Which of the following factors can affect the ground roll distance during landing?
Wind gradient
What effect does a tailwind have on the groundspeed for an indicated airspeed during landing?
Increases groundspeed
What is the recommended approach to landing during windy and gusty conditions?
Add half of the wind velocity to the approach speed
How does weight affect the takeoff and climb performance of a glider?
Increased weight decreases takeoff and climb performance
Which factor primarily determines the rate of climb for a ground-launched glider?
Strength of the ground-launching equipment
What effect does adding water ballast to a glider have on its best L/D airspeed?
Increases it
What does the polar curve of a glider show?
The glider's sink rate at different speeds
Which of the following factors affect glider performance?
Density altitude, weight, design, and wind
What is the density altitude at an airport with a field elevation of 1,600 feet MSL, an altimeter setting of 29.80, and a temperature of 85 °F?
3,500 feet
What conditions result in a high density altitude?
High elevations, low atmospheric pressure, high temperatures, high humidity, or some combination thereof
How does temperature affect density altitude?
When air is heated, it expands—the molecules move farther apart, making the air less dense
Which of the following is true about crosswinds during glider flight?
Crosswinds result in a lower true groundspeed
What should a glider pilot do when gliding toward an object on the ground in the presence of crosswind?
Keep the nose of the glider pointed somewhat upwind of the target on the ground
What effect does a headwind have on the ground roll during landing?
Shortens the ground roll
What should a glider pilot do when landing in a strong headwind?
Plan for a closer base leg
According to the text, if the weight of a glider is doubled, how much does the stall speed increase by?
40 percent
According to the text, how does the increased weight of a heavy glider affect its ability to climb in a thermal compared to a light glider?
The heavy glider cannot climb as fast as the light glider in a thermal.
According to the text, how does the weight of a glider affect its glide ratio?
The weight of the glider has no effect on its glide ratio.
Test your knowledge on glider flight efficiency and the factors that affect total drag. Learn about the optimal airspeed for minimum drag and how changes in weight impact a glider's performance.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
