Exam quiz Principles of Flight (Aeroplane) - SPL - Sailplane Pilot License

Question 1

All aerodynamic forces can be considered to act on a single point. This point is called...

Accepted Answer

Centre of pressure

Answer

Centre of gravity

Answer

Lift point

Answer

Transition point

Question 2

Pressure compensation on a wing occurs at the...

Accepted Answer

Wing tips

Answer

Leading edge

Answer

Trailing edge

Answer

Wing roots

Question 3

In which way does the position of the centre of pressure move at a positively shaped profile with increasing angle of attack?

Accepted Answer

It moves forward until reaching the critical angle of attack

Answer

It moves to the wing tips

Answer

It moves backward until reaching the critical angle of attack

Answer

It moves forward first, then backward

Question 4

What is shown by a profile polar?

Accepted Answer

Ratio of CL and CD at different angles of attack

Answer

Ratio between minimum rate of descent and best glide

Answer

Ratio between total lift and drag depending on angle of attack

Answer

Lift coefficient CL at different angles of attack

Question 5

Bernoulli's equation for frictionless, incompressible gases states that...

Accepted Answer

Total pressure = dynamic pressure + static pressure

Answer

Total pressure = dynamic pressure - static pressure

Answer

Static pressure = total pressure + dynamic pressure

Answer

Dynamic pressure = total pressure + static pressure

Question 6

Which of the following options is likely to produce large induced drag?

Accepted Answer

Small aspect ratio

Answer

Large aspect ratio

Answer

Low lift coefficients

Answer

Tapered wings

Question 7

What is the difference between spin and spiral dive?

Accepted Answer

Spin: stall at inner wing, speed constant; Spiral dive: airflow at both wings, speed increasing rapidly

Answer

Spin: stall at inner wing, speed increasing rapidly; Spiral dive: airflow at both wings, speed constant

Answer

Spin: stall at outer wing, speed constant; Spiral dive: airflow at both wings, speed increasing rapidly

Answer

Spin: stall at outer wing, speed increasing rapidly; Spiral dive: airflow at both wings, speed constant

Question 8

Which point on the aerofoil is represented by number 1? See figure (PFA-009)

Accepted Answer

Stagnation point

Answer

Centre of pressure

Answer

Separation point

Answer

Transition point

Question 9

The aerodynamic rudder balance...

Accepted Answer

Reduces the control stick forces

Answer

Reduces the control surfaces

Answer

Delays the stall

Answer

Improves the rudder effectiveness

Question 10

Which statement regarding a spin is correct?

Accepted Answer

During recovery the ailerons should be kept neutral

Answer

During the spin the speed constantly increases

Answer

During recovery the ailerons should be crossed

Answer

Only very old aeroplanes have a risk of spinning

Question 11

How does aircraft weight affect the critical angle of attack?

Accepted Answer

Is independent of the weight

Answer

Decreases with forward centre of gravity position

Answer

Changes with increasing weight

Answer

Increases with backward centre of gravity position

Question 12

Which kinds of drag contribute to total drag?

Accepted Answer

Induced drag and parasite drag

Answer

Interference drag and parasite drag

Answer

Induced drag, form drag, skin-friction drag

Answer

Form drag, skin-friction drag, interference drag

Question 13

Which statement about the airflow around an aerofoil is correct if the angle of attack increases?

Accepted Answer

The stagnation point moves down

Answer

The centre of pressure moves down

Answer

The centre of pressure moves up

Answer

The stagnation point moves up

Question 14

Rotation around the lateral axis is called...

Accepted Answer

Pitching

Answer

Yawing

Answer

Rolling

Answer

Stalling

Question 15

Which point on the aerofoil is represented by number 3? See figure (PFA-009)

Accepted Answer

Transition point

Answer

Stagnation point

Answer

Separation point

Answer

Centre of pressure

Question 16

What has to be considered when operating a sailplane equipped with camber flaps?

Accepted Answer

During approach and landing, camber must not be changed from positive to negative

Answer

During approach and landing, camber must not be changed from negative to positive

Answer

During winch launch, camber must be set to full negative

Answer

During winch launch, camber must be set to full positive

Question 17

Which statement about lift and angle of attack is correct?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the angle of attack too far may result in a loss of lift and an airflow separation

Answer

Increasing the angle of attack results in less lift being generated by the aerofoil

Answer

Decreasing the angle of attack results in more drag being generated by the aerofoil

Answer

Too large angles of attack can lead to an exponential increase in lift

Question 18

Deflecting the rudder to the left causes...

Accepted Answer

Yawing of the aircraft to the left

Answer

Pitching of the aircraft to the left

Answer

Pitching of the aircraft to the right

Answer

Yawing of the aircraft to the right

Question 19

How do induced drag and parasite drag change with increasing airspeed during a horizontal and stable cruise flight?

Accepted Answer

Induced drag decreases and parasite drag increases

Answer

Parasite drag decreases and induced drag increases

Answer

Parasite drag decreases and induced drag decreases

Answer

Induced drag increases and parasite drag increases

Question 20

A sailplane is operated with additional water ballast. How do best gliding angle and speed of best glide change, when compared to flying without water ballast?

Accepted Answer

Best gliding angle remains unchanged, best glide speed increases

Answer

Best gliding angle decreases, best glide speed decreases

Answer

Best gliding angle remains increases, best glide speed increases

Answer

Best gliding angle remains unchanged, best glide speed decreases

Question 21

What pressure pattern can be observed at a lift-generating wing profile at positive angle of attack?

Accepted Answer

Low pressure is created above, higher pressure below the profile

Answer

Pressure above remains unchanged, higher pressure is created below the profile

Answer

High pressure is created above, lower pressure below the profile

Answer

Pressure below remains unchanged, lower pressure is created above the profile

Question 22

What pattern can be found at the stagnation point?

Accepted Answer

Streamlines are divided into airflow above and below the profile

Answer

The boundary layer starts separating on the upper surface of the profile

Answer

All aerodynamic forces can be considered as attacking at this single point

Answer

The laminar boundary layer changes into a turbulent boundary layer

Question 23

What structural item provides directional stability to an aeroplane?

Accepted Answer

Large vertical tail

Answer

Differential aileron deflection

Answer

Wing dihedral

Answer

Large elevator

Question 24

In straight and level flight with constant performance of the engine, the angle of attack at the wing is...

Accepted Answer

Smaller than in a climb

Answer

Smaller than in a descent

Answer

Greater than in a climb

Answer

Greater than at take-off

Question 25

How is the balance of forces affected during a turn?

Accepted Answer

Lift force must be increased to compensate for the sum of centrifugal and gravitational force

Answer

A lower lift force compensates for a lower net force as compared to level flight

Answer

The horizontal component of the lift force during a turn is the centrifugal force

Answer

The net force results from superposition of gravity and centripetal forces

Question 26

In case of a stall it is important to...

Accepted Answer

Decrease the angle of attack and increase the speed

Answer

Increase the angle of attack and increase the speed

Answer

Increase the angle of attack and reduce the speed

Answer

Increase the bank angle and reduce the speed

Question 27

Through which factor listed below does the load factor increase during cruise flight?

Accepted Answer

An upward gust

Answer

Lower air density

Answer

A forward centre of gravity

Answer

Higher aeroplane weight

Question 28

The pressure compensation between wing upper and lower surfaces results in ...

Accepted Answer

Induced drag by wing tip vortices

Answer

Laminar airflow by wing tip vortices

Answer

Profile drag by wing tip vortices

Answer

Lift by wing tip vortices

Question 29

Point number 1 in the figure indicates which flight state? See figure (PFA-008)

Accepted Answer

Inverted flight

Answer

Slow flight

Answer

Stall

Answer

Best gliding angle

Question 30

What leads to a decreased stall speed Vs (IAS)?

Accepted Answer

Decreasing weight

Answer

Lower density

Answer

Lower altitude

Answer

Higher load factor

Question 31

What is meant by "ground effect"?

Accepted Answer

Increase of lift and decrease of induced drag close to the ground

Answer

Decrease of lift and increase of induced drag close to the ground

Answer

Increase of lift and increase of induced drag close to the ground

Answer

Decrease of lift and decrease of induced drag close to the ground

Question 32

The angle of attack is the angle between...

Accepted Answer

The chord line and the oncoming airflow

Answer

The chord line and the longitudinal axis of an aeroplane

Answer

The wing and the fuselage of an aeroplane

Answer

The undisturbed airflow and the longitudinal axis of an aeroplane

Question 33

The right aileron deflects upwards, the left downwards. How does the aircraft react?

Accepted Answer

Rolling to the right, yawing to the left

Answer

Rolling to the left, no yawing

Answer

Rolling to the left, yawing to the right

Answer

Rolling to the right, yawing to the right

Question 34

During approach to the next updraft, the vertical speed indicator reads 3 m/s descent. Within the updraft you expect a mean rate of climb of 2 m/s. According to McCready, how should you adjust the speed during approach of the updraft?

Accepted Answer

The McCready ring should be set to 2 m/s, the recommended speed can be read at the McCready scale next to the current rate of descent (3 m/s)

Answer

The McCready ring should be set to 2 m/s, the recommended speed can be read at the McCready scale next to the sum of current rate of descent at expected rate of climb (5 m/s)

Answer

The McCready ring should be set to 3 m/s, the recommended speed can be read at the McCready scale next to the expected rate of climb (2 m/s)

Answer

Outside of thermal cells, the McCready ring should be set to 0 m/s, the recommended speed can be read at the McCready scale next to the current rate of descent (3 m/s)

Question 35

Stabilization around the lateral axis during cruise is achieved by the...

Accepted Answer

Horizontal stabilizer

Answer

Wing flaps

Answer

Ailerons

Answer

Vertical rudder

Question 36

The static pressure of gases work...

Accepted Answer

In all directions

Answer

Only in flow direction

Answer

Only in the direction of the total pressure

Answer

Only vertical to the flow direction

Question 37

How do lift and drag change when approaching a stall condition?

Accepted Answer

Lift decreases and drag increases

Answer

Lift and drag increase

Answer

Lift increases and drag decreases

Answer

Lift and drag decrease

Question 38

If surrounded by airflow (v > 0), any arbitrarily shaped body produces...

Accepted Answer

Drag

Answer

Drag and lift

Answer

Lift without drag.

Answer

Constant drag at any speed

Question 39

What has to be considered with regard to the centre of gravity position?

Accepted Answer

Only correct loading can assure a correct and safe centre of gravity position

Answer

By moving the elevator trim tab, the centre of gravity can be shifted into a correct position

Answer

The centre of gravity's position can only be determined during flight

Answer

By moving the aileron trim tab, the centre of gravity can be shifted into a correct position

Question 40

Which of the listed wing shapes has the lowest induced drag?

Accepted Answer

Elliptical shape

Answer

Rectangular shape

Answer

Trapezoidal shape

Answer

Double trapezoidal shape

Question 41

Stability around which axis is mainly influenced by the centre of gravity's longitudinal position?

Accepted Answer

Lateral axis

Answer

Longitudinal axis

Answer

Gravity axis

Answer

Vertical axis

Question 42

Which statement describes a situation of static stability?

Accepted Answer

An aircraft distorted by external impact will return to the original position

Answer

An aircraft distorted by external impact will tend to an even more deflected position

Answer

An aircraft distorted by external impact will maintain the deflected position

Answer

An aircraft distorted by external impact can return to its original position by rudder input

Question 43

Which design feature can compensate for adverse yaw?

Accepted Answer

Differential aileron deflection

Answer

Wing dihedral

Answer

Full deflection of the aileron

Answer

Aileron trim

Question 44

Considering longitudinal stability, which C.G. position is most dangerous with a normal sailplane?

Accepted Answer

Position beyond the rear C.G. limit

Answer

Position beyond the front C.G. limit

Answer

Position too far aside permissible C.G. limits

Answer

Position far back within permissible C.G. limits

Question 45

The angle (alpha) shown in the figure is referred to as... See figure (PFA-003) DoF: direction of airflow

Accepted Answer

Angle of attack

Answer

Lift angle

Answer

Angle of incidence

Answer

Angle of inclination

Question 46

What structural item provides lateral stability to an aeroplane?

Accepted Answer

Wing dihedral

Answer

Vertical tail

Answer

Differential aileron deflection

Answer

Elevator

Question 47

Rudder deflections result in a turn of the aeroplane around the...

Accepted Answer

Vertical axis

Answer

Rudder axis

Answer

Lateral axis

Answer

Longitudinal axis

Question 48

What is the function of the horizontal tail (among other things)?

Accepted Answer

To stabilise the aeroplane around the lateral axis

Answer

To stabilise the aeroplane around the longitudinal axis

Answer

To initiate a curve around the vertical axis

Answer

To stabilise the aeroplane around the vertical axis

Question 49

What describes "wing loading"?

Accepted Answer

Weight per wing area

Answer

Wing area per weight

Answer

Drag per weight

Answer

Drag per wing area

Question 50

Which parts of an aircraft mainly affect the generation of induced drag?

Accepted Answer

The wing tips

Answer

The front part of the fuselage

Answer

The outer part of the ailerons

Answer

The lower part of the gear

Question 51

In a co-ordinated turn, how is the relation between the load factor (n) and the stall speed (Vs)?

Accepted Answer

N is greater than 1, Vs is greater than in straight and level flight

Answer

N is smaller than 1, Vs is greater than in straight and level flight

Answer

N is greater than 1, Vs is smaller than in straight and level flight

Answer

N is smaller than 1, Vs is smaller than in straight and level flight

Question 52

What effect is referred to as "adverse yaw"?

Accepted Answer

Aileron operation results in a yaw to the opposite side due to more drag at the down-deflected aileron

Answer

Aileron operation results in a yaw to the desired side due to less drag at the down-deflected aileron

Answer

Rudder operation results in a rolling moment to the opposite side due to more lift generated by the faster moving wing

Answer

Aileron operation results in a yaw to the opposite side due to more drag at the up-deflected aileron

Question 53

What is the result of extending flaps with increasing aerofoil camber?

Accepted Answer

Minimum speed decreases

Answer

Maximum permissible speed increases

Answer

Minimum speed increases

Answer

C.G. position moves forward

Question 54

Which constructive feature has the purpose to reduce steering forces?

Accepted Answer

Aerodynamic rudder balance

Answer

T-tail

Answer

Differential aileron deflection

Answer

Vortex generators

Question 55

Which statement about the airflow around an aerofoil is correct if the angle of attack decreases?

Accepted Answer

The centre of pressure moves aft

Answer

The centre of pressure moves forward

Answer

The stagnation point moves down

Answer

The stagnation point remains constant

Question 56

Which statement about induced drag during the horizontal cruise flight is correct?

Accepted Answer

Induced drag decreases with increasing airspeed

Answer

Induced drag has a minimum at a certain speed and increases at higher as well as lower speeds

Answer

Induced drag has a maximum at a certain speed and decreases at higher as well as lower speeds

Answer

Induced drag increases with increasing airspeed

Question 57

Pressure drag, interference drag and friction drag belong to the group of the...

Accepted Answer

Parasite drag

Answer

Main resistance

Answer

Induced drag

Answer

Total drag

Question 58

Flying with speeds higher than the never-exceed-speed (vNE) may result in...

Accepted Answer

Flutter and mechanically damaging the wings

Answer

Reduced drag with increased control forces

Answer

An increased lift-to-drag ratio and a better glide angle

Answer

Too high total pressure resulting in an unusable airspeed indicator

Question 59

What types of boundary layers can be found on an aerofoil?

Accepted Answer

Laminar layer at the leading wing areas, turbulent boundary layer at the trailing areas

Answer

Laminar boundary layer along the complete upper surface with non-separated airflow

Answer

Turbulent layer at the leading wing areas, laminar boundary layer at the trailing areas

Answer

Turbulent boundary layer along the complete upper surface with separated airflow

Question 60

Which statement concerning the angle of attack is correct?

Accepted Answer

A too large angle of attack may result in a loss of lift

Answer

Increasing the angle of attack results in decreasing lift

Answer

The angle of attack cannot be negative

Answer

The angle of attack is constant throughout the flight

Question 61

Point number 5 in the figure indicates which flight state? See figure (PFA-008)

Accepted Answer

Slow flight

Answer

Best gliding angle

Answer

Inverted flight

Answer

Stall

Question 62

The trim tab at the elevator is deflected upwards. In which position is the corresponding indicator?

Accepted Answer

Nose-down position

Answer

Neutral position

Answer

Nose-up position

Answer

Laterally trimmed

Question 63

What has to be considered when operating a sailplane with water ballast?

Accepted Answer

It should stay below freezing level

Answer

Best glide angle decreases

Answer

Significant CG shifts

Answer

Best glide speed decreases

Question 64

With regard to the forces acting, how can stationary gliding be described?

Accepted Answer

The sum of air forces compensates the gravity force

Answer

The sum of air forces acts along the direction of air flow

Answer

The sum of the air forces acts along with the lift force

Answer

The lift force compensates the drag force

Exam simulation Principles of Flight (Aeroplane) - SPL - Sailplane Pilot License

Exam simulation SPL Principles of Flight (Aeroplane) 120 questions on 120 minutes

Exam simulation Principles of Flight (Aeroplane) - SPL - Sailplane Pilot License

Exam simulation SPL Principles of Flight (Aeroplane) 120 questions on 120 minutes

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