When would you expect windshear?
When would you expect windshear?
Cumulonimbus clouds
Thunderstorms
Virga
Describe aspect ratio.
Describe aspect ratio.
The ratio between the wing span and the mean chord line.
A high aspect ratio is associated with good lift to drag ratio, i.e.: Gliders.
A low aspect ratio is usually associated with fast aircraft, i.e.: Fighter jets.
What performance category was your last aircraft? How are airplanes classified?
What performance category was your last aircraft? How are airplanes classified?
Note: this question was asked to a candidate with previous Seneca experience, make sure to be able to answer this question for your previous aircraft type.
Seneca is class A.
Aircraft are classified according to their Vat.
How does an ILS work?
How does an ILS work?
An ILS (Instrument Landing System) is defined as a precision runway approach aid based on two radio beams which together provide pilots with both vertical and horizontal guidance during an approach to land.
The ILS aerials transmit two lobes. For a pilot on final, the lobe to his right is modulated at a frequency of 150 Hz and the one to his left at 90 Hz. The point where the lobes meet is the centre line of the runway. As the signals on the lobe move from the centre line to either side, their amplitude increases. This means the magnitude of their depth modulation increases. The depth modulation can be considered as a percentage. For example, if an aircraft receives a 15% depth modulated signal from the left and a 5% depth modulated signal from the right, the difference of modulation becomes 10% to the left. This electrical imbalance is sent to the aircraft and the localizer needle is designed in such a way that it will show a deflection to the opposite direction, telling the pilot to go to the right.
When on the centre line, the modulation difference is zero and the needle centres itself.
The glide slope or the glide path provides the pilot with vertical guidance. The glide slope is set such that a glide slope angle of 3 degrees is maintained by the pilot. The needle of the slope moves up, if the aircraft is too low and moves down if it is too much above the required path. The glide slope is on the UHF band (329.15 - 335 Mhz).
The glide slope operates the same way as the localizer. The only difference is that the lobes are emitted on the vertical plane. The upper lobe is modulated at 90 Hz while the bottom one at 150 Hz. Exactly the same way as before, the needle of the slope moves based on the difference in depth modulation. As like before when the modulation difference is nil, the glide needle moves to the very centre of the instrument.
How would you explain to your neighbour what the difference is between a precision and a non-precision approach?
How would you explain to your neighbour what the difference is between a precision and a non-precision approach?
A precision approach uses both lateral (from left to right) and vertical guidance. A non-precision approach only uses lateral guidance.
What are the G-limits of the Boeing 737-800?
What are the G-limits of the Boeing 737-800?
+2.5G / -1.0G
What is the critical point?
What is the critical point?
The critical point (CP) is a point on a track where it is as quick to go on as it is to turn back.
Also known as ETP (Equal Time Point) and PET (Point of Equal Time).
What is the relevance of the mass and balance document?
What is the relevance of the mass and balance document?
It’s an official document for the safety of the flight.
A copy of this document needs to remain on the ground.
While climbing with a SEP, in what temperature range can carb icing occur?
While climbing with a SEP, in what temperature range can carb icing occur?
Carb icing can occur with temperatures as high 30°C and humidity as low as 50%, but it is more likely when below 20°C and high humidity, especially during low power settings.
What errors would cause an altimeter to malfunction?
What errors would cause an altimeter to malfunction?
Altimeter errors:
Instrument error Pressure error Time-lag error Barometric error