Aircraft & Helicopter Quiz Review

1. Using the image of a Venturi, the student will list the pressure and velocity according
to the image.

● In a Venturi tube, as the airflow enters the narrowest section, velocity increases, and
pressure decreases (Bernoulli’s Principle).
● Before constriction: Normal velocity, higher pressure.
● At constriction: Maximum velocity, lowest pressure.
● After constriction: Velocity decreases, pressure recovers.

2. Identify the types of symmetry and asymmetrical parts of an airfoil.

● Symmetrical Airfoil: The upper and lower surfaces are identical, producing equal lift at
zero angles of attack.
● Asymmetrical Airfoil: The upper surface is more curved than the lower surface,
generating more lift due to increased airflow velocity.

3. What are the standard day conditions in PSI, inches of mercury, degrees Fahrenheit,
and degrees Celsius?

● Pressure: 14.7 PSI

● Barometric Pressure: 29.92 inches of mercury (inHg)
● Temperature: 59°F (15°C)

4. Identify which control surface controls movement about each axis.

● Vertical Axis (Yaw): Rudder

● Lateral Axis (Pitch): Elevator
● Longitudinal Axis (Roll): Ailerons

5. The rudder, ailerons, and elevators control movement about which axis?

● Rudder: Vertical Axis (Yaw)

● Ailerons: Longitudinal Axis (Roll)
● Elevators: Lateral Axis (Pitch)

6. If a ball is dropped from a height of 50 feet, what will the velocity be at 25 feet?

● Using the kinematic equation:

v2=u2+2ghv2=u2+2gh
○ u=0u=0, g=32.2g=32.2 ft/s², h=25h=25 ft
○ v=2×32.2×25v=2×32.2×25
○ v≈40.2v≈40.2 ft/s

7. What is the acceleration of an object due to gravity?

● Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.81 m/s² (32.2 ft/s²)

8. According to Newton’s First Law, why does an object in motion stay in motion only in
a vacuum?

● In a vacuum, there are no external forces (such as air resistance or friction) to slow the
object down.

9. If an aircraft weighs 2500 lbs and needs 100 lbs of force for takeoff, how would
increasing the weight affect the force needed?

● Increasing the weight increases the lift required. More thrust would be needed to
generate sufficient lift.

10. The rate of motion is referred to as?

● Speed or Velocity

11. What is the acceleration of an aircraft flying at a constant speed of 150 knots?

● 0 ft/s² (No acceleration since the speed is constant)

12. Which Newton’s Law states that a body in motion stays in motion unless acted upon?

● Newton’s First Law (Law of Inertia)

13. The effect of inertia is equal to?

● Mass of the object

14. If a pencil and a book are dropped at the same time, why do they hit the ground
together?

● Newton’s Second Law: The acceleration due to gravity is the same for all objects
regardless of mass.

15. If a body is at rest, what will put it into motion?

● An external force (Newton’s First Law)

16. What rotates the rotors of an autogyro?

● The free-flowing airstream (Autorotation)

17. What are the two broad classifications of rotary-wing aircraft?

● Helicopters and Autogyros

18. Why do some helicopters have two rotors?

● To counteract torque and eliminate the need for a tail rotor (e.g., tandem or coaxial rotor
designs).

19. What counteracts the torque of a single main rotor?

 ● Tail Rotor or Anti-Torque System

20. What is a semi-rigid rotor?

● A rotor system with two blades that teeter like a seesaw.

21. What is a rigid rotor?

● A rotor with no hinges, allowing movement through blade flexing.

22. What are the four forces acting on a helicopter rotor?

● Lift, Drag, Thrust, and Weight

23. Why do most helicopter rotors use an asymmetrical airfoil?

● To improve efficiency and reduce control forces.

24. Why does the airfoil shape of a helicopter rotor change along its span?

● To optimize lift distribution.

25. Name the four helicopter controls.

● Collective, Cyclic, Anti-Torque Pedals, Throttle

26. What are the two basic gyroscopic characteristics of a helicopter rotor?

● Gyroscopic Precession and Rigidity in Space

27. Which hinge prevents vibration from the Coriolis effect in a fully articulated rotor?

● Lead-lag hinge

28. Why is an underslung semi-rigid rotor less affected by the Coriolis effect?

● The rotor’s center of mass remains stable.

29. What cockpit control varies the pitch of an anti-torque rotor?

● Anti-Torque Pedals

30. How high does ground effect extend?

● Within one rotor diameter of the ground.

31. What causes dissymmetry of lift in forward flight?

● The difference in lift between the advancing and retreating blades.

32. What is an advancing blade?

 ● The rotor blade moving in the same direction as flight.

33. What is a retreating blade?

● The rotor blade moving opposite to the direction of flight.

34. How is dissymmetry of lift prevented in a fully articulated rotor?

● Flapping and cyclic feathering

35. How is dissymmetry of lift prevented in a semi-rigid rotor?

● Flapping hinge

36. Where does a helicopter rotor disc normally tilt?

● In the direction of flight.

37. Is a helicopter more prone to stall in slow or high-speed flight?

● High-speed flight (Retreating Blade Stall)

38. What is ground effect?

● Increased lift when flying close to the ground.

39. How can a pilot carry more weight than the helicopter can lift while hovering?

● Use translational lift (forward flight).

40. What controls the direction of flight in a helicopter?

● Cyclic control.

41. What control changes the pitch of all blades simultaneously?

● Collective.

42. What control changes the pitch at specific points?

● Cyclic.

43. Which control is connected to the engine throttle?

● Collective.

44. What is the purpose of a synchronized elevator?

● To improve longitudinal stability.

45. Why do some helicopters use hydraulic-boosted controls?

 ● To reduce pilot workload.

46. What is the name of the maneuver used when a helicopter loses power?

● Autorotation.

47. What are two ways to correct rotor blade vibration?

● Tracking and balancing.

48. What allows the rotor to spin freely if the engine quits?

● Freewheeling unit.

49. What are the two types of helicopter engines?

● Turboshaft and piston engines.

50. If a helicopter stalls, which way will the nose tilt?

● Downward (due to loss of lift).