Module 8: Self-Assessment

Workbook

8.1 Physics Of The Atmosphere

1. List the layers of the atmosphere & how far they extend from the
surface of the earth?

2. Most Commercial aircraft fly up to ___________ ft, with some military

aircraft flying up to _______ft.
3. The characteristic make-up of the atmosphere is:
a. 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen & 1% other gases
b. 78% nitrogen, 21% other gases & 1% nitrogen
c. 78% oxygen, 21% nitrogen & 1% other gases
4. What is the relationship between; pressure, density & temperature as
altitude increases?

5. Where is more lift & thrust generated in terms of altitude?

a. 30,000ft
b. 15,000ft
c. 5,000ft
6. What are the overall effects of humidity in relation to air density?

7. How is density influenced by:

I.

Temperature

II.

Pressure

8. What are the ISA values at Sea Level (SL)?

I.
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II.
III.
IV.
V.

9.

10.

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Temperature Temperature Lapse Rate Density Speed Of Sound

Explain the concept of Pressure Altitude?

Complete the table below for ISA conditions:

8.2 Aerodynamics Airflow Around A Body & Boundary Layer

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11. Laminar flow, is also known as ____________ flow, when all of the
particles of the fluid move in continuous ____________ lines with the air
moving _______________ over an object.
12. What type of airflow causes the highest drag?
I.
II.
III.

Laminar flow
Free Stream Airflow (FSA)
Turbulent Flow

13. In terms of the boundary layer & FSA, where is the air at its slowest
velocity?
14. How is the Boundary layer defined?

15. What is the air flow Transition point?

16. Why is it important that the turbulent airflow within the Boundary
Layer has more kinetic energy than in the Laminar Flow region?

17. State the equation of continuity & what remains constant in a

moving mass of air?

18. In terms of Bernoullis Therom, pressure energy is?

a. Energy due to height or position
b. Energy due to movement of a moving fluid
c. Energy stored in a non-moving fluid
19. State Bernoullis Therom formulae
8.2 Aerodynamics Aircraft Terminology
20. In terms of Primary & Secondary flight controls, what are considered
Primary?

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21. Identify four factors that affect wing position during aircraft design:
I.
II.
III.
IV.
22. State the difference between Gross Wing Area (S) & Net Wing Area

23. If the span of a wing (b) is 15m & the Average Chord (Cav) is 1.75m,
calculate the Gross Wing Area (S)

24. From the dimension provided in Q23. Calculate the Aspect Ratio (AR)
of the wingspan

25. An aircraft has a Gross Wing Area of 25m^2, with an average chord
of 2m, calculate the Aspect Ratio (AR)

26. Which aircraft from the calculations in Q24. & Q25 has the highest
AR & therefore highest stability/glide profile?

27. The TIP Chord of an aircraft wing is 0.75, with a Root Chord of 6m,
calculate the Taper Ratio

28. The angle of Sweepback for a wing is normally ____% of the wing
_________ perpendicular to an aircrafts ___________ axis

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29. An aircraft has a Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC) of 10m, where

should the Aircraft Centre Of Gravity (C of G) be located?

30. Using the diagram below; measure to physically determine the MAC
& indicate where the C Of G should be if it is 25% behind the Leading
Edge.

31. Draw a wing cross section (shape) for a heavy, low speed aircraft,
indicating where the maximum thickness would be.

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32. You are to design a wing for a transport aircraft that will be cruising
at speeds approaching transonic or supersonic. Draw the cross section
of the wing, indicating the point of maximum thickness.

33.

In the Diagram below, draw OR indicate the following:

I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

Chord Line
Mean Camber Line
Maximum Camber & Thickness
Leading & Trailing Edge
Fineness & Maximum Thickness Chord Ratio

8.2 Aerodynamics Thrust, Weight & Aerodynamic Resultant

34. Thrust is produced by an engine, forcing a _____ of ____ to the ______
of an aircraft. A propeller _______ a ______ mass of air by a relatively
__________ amount, which is the opposite to a turbojet engine.
35.

What direction does the force of weight act?

a. It depends on the bank angle of the aircraft

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b. Always parallel to the flight path

c. Always acts toward the centre of the earth

36. During turning manoeuvers of an aircraft, additional factors, which

need to be taken into account are?

37. An aircraft is in straight and level flight at a constant speed,

following the pilot applying thrust using the throttle, the aircraft will?
a. Remain in straight & level flight
b. Descend to a lower altitude, due to the additional
aerodynamic drag
c. Climb, due to the increase in air velocity of the aerofoil.

8.2 Aerodynamics - Lift, Drag & Stall

38.

In relation to Relative Air Flow (RAF), how does lift act?

a. Perpendicular to the RAF
b. Parallel to the RAF
c. In the opposite direction to the RAF

39. The lower surface of an aerofoil, resembles the ___________ part of a

venturi, whilst the upper surface resembles the _________ part of a
venture.

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40. At which point when airflow approaches an aerofoil does the air flow
come to rest & what is the value of the static pressure?
41. Draw an aerofoil & indicate: Up-wash, Down-wash, stagnation Points
& dividing streamlines.

42.

The Angle of Attack is the angle:

a. Between the Relative Air Flow (RAF) & the aircraft centre line
b. Between the RAF & the Aerofoil Chord line
c. Between the aircraft centre line & the aerofoil Chord line

43. Describe (draw) the shape of aerofoil, which will produce

aerodynamic lift with an AOA of zero degrees?

44. Identify the two principle factors in determining, velocity & therefore
lift for an aerofoil?

45. What is the length of the pressure vector dependant on & what is
the value at any stagnation point?

46. Generally, as the AOA increases for an Asymmetrical wing, describe

what happens to the pressure envelope, in terms of the pressure
vectors and the position

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47. For a typical aerofoil moving beyond 15 - 18 degrees, known as the

______ angle __ _________, the majority of the airflow across the upper
surface breaks down into _______ _________ flow.
48. State the values of zero lift angle for a Symmetrical & Asymmetrical
wing.

49. Draw an Asymmetrical aerofoil at 10 degrees AOA, with a lift vector

of 10 & drag vector of 2. Show the resulting Total Reaction (TR) &
measure its vector size, taking care on deciding the Centre Of Pressure
(CP)

50.

Explain the cause of trailing edge & wing tip vorticies.

51. What affects the pressure differential between the upper & lower
part of a wing surface?
a. The wing Planform shape
b. The cross section shape of the wing
c. The material of the wing
52. You are required to design a wing, which produces little or no wing
tip vorticies, therefore reducing drag. Identify the wing shape that you
would use.

53. State the formulae for lift & lift co-efficient & what this takes into
account
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54. How can you determine the effect of AOA with the Co-efficient of lift
(CL)

55. In the figure below, indicate the critical angle & CL (max). Which
wing type does this represent?

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Total Drag
Induced
Drag

Profile
Drag

Interferen
ce Drag

Form
Drag
Skin
Friction
Drag

Alongside The Drag Enter: Causes & Factors

Drag + Interference Drag =Parasite Drag

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56. The length of an object compared to its thickness is known as the

__________ ratio, where the least amount of drag will occur with a
fineness ratio of around __ to __
57. Explain the formation of induced downwash on an aircraft wing,
indicating the direction of vorticies when viewed from behind an
aircraft

58. If the speed of an aircraft is doubled, what happens to the dynamic

pressure and therefore the co-efficient of lift? In your answer state the
formulae for the Co-efficient of lift.

59. What is the relationship between Induced Drag & Speed & what
other factors change induced drag?

60. Washout is the twisting of a wingtip during manufacture, which

means that:
a. The AOA at the wingtip is greater than at the wing root, reducing
the size of vorticies around the wingtip.
b. The AOA at the wingtip is smaller than at the wing root, reducing
the size of vorticies around the wingtip
c. The AOA at the wingtip is greater than at the wing root,
increasing the size of vorticies around the wingtip

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61. Label the diagram below for: Profile, Induced & Total Drag, Minimum
Drag Speed (VIMD) & Minimum Drag Force (in pounds).

62. What factors affect actual drag & is there a comparison with factors
affecting Lift?

63. State the formulae for Drag, is there a comparison with Lift, explain
your answer?

64. State the formulae for the Lift/Drag Ratio & where is the greatest
aerodynamic efficiency?

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65. From the graph below, identify: Maximum Lift AOA & Co-efficient,
Minimum Drag AOA & Co-efficient.

66.

Stall is a phenomenon of _________ __________ _____________ and

occurs at the ________ angle of _________, when the ________ surface of

the aerofoil is predominantly covered in __________ airflow.
67. Boundary layer separation is produced as a result of:
a. The adverse pressure gradient, which opposes the flow of the
boundary layer
b. The adverse pressure gradient, which assists the flow of the
boundary layer
c. The adverse pressure gradient, which opposes the separation of the
boundary layer
68. Ideally the adverse pressure gradient should extend from?
a. The point of maximum air pressure to the rear of the aerofoil at the
stagnation point

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b. The point of minimum air pressure to the leading edge stagnation

point
c. The point of minimum air pressure to the rear of the aerofoil at the
stagnation point
69.

Draw an aerofoil and show the: Transition point, Separation Point &

where you would anticipate Reverse flow to occur.

70.

With
I.
II.
III.

an increasing angle of attack, what happens to the:

Adverse pressure gradient?
Separation point?
Pressure distribution curve?

71.

Typically, what is the stalling angle of attack for most aerofoils &

when will this change?

72.

How can the lift formulae be changed to represent the angle of

attack?
73.

Show, through formulae, how the weight of an aircraft has an effect

on the stall speed and the relationship of weight and stall speed.

74.

For an aircraft with a load factor (n) of 9g and a basic stall speed

(Vbasic) of 65 knots, calculate the Manouvere stall speed (VM)? What does
this demonstrate about the relationship of Load factor and Stall Speed?

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75.
a.
b.
c.

Which of the following will reduce the occurrence of tip stall?

Washout, Root Spoilers, wing fences
Root Spoilers, Change in Aerofoil section, Washout
Change in aerofoil section, Root Spoilers, Fairings

76.

What is stall buffet dependant on?

77.

Name three types of stall warning devices that could be fitted to an

aircraft.
I.
II.
III.

78.

Name three types of ice, which can form on aircraft aerodynamic

surfaces & which is the most difficult to remove.

8.3 Theory of Flight Level Flight Conditions

79. On the diagram below, indicate where the forces act through &
which is the largest couple vector?

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80. Indicate on the diagram, the effect of moving the Lift vector behind
& in front of the Weight vector (Couple), also the Thrust vector above
and below the Drag vector (Couple).

81. Explain the effect that speed and weight reduction has on an aircraft
in level flight, in terms of the angle of attack.

82.

The ratio of Total Lift to Aircraft Weight, results in the _______

_________. This should always be _____________ than ______.

8.3 Theory Of Flight - Manoeuvres

83. During a manoeuvre what happens to the wing loading, explain your
answer?

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84. Normally a commercial aircraft will operate to load limits of +2.5g &
-1.0g, however if an aircraft operator states load limits of +3.0g & -1.5g
what will be the Ultimate Load Limit?

8.3 Theory Of Flight - Climbing

85. An aircraft has a Climb angle & Weight component of 400 , Weight
vector length of 8 & Drag Vector of 6. Draw out & calculate the Lift &
Thrust components, what is the relationship between Lift & Weight?

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86. What is the difference between the maximum angle of climb & the
maximum rate of climb?

87.

What is the max angle of climb governed by & state the fomulae?

88.

What is the max rate of climb governed by & state the formulae?

89. Label the graph Axis below to indicate: Thrust Required, Thrust
Available & Maximum Thrust Available. What type of aircraft is this
performance data representative of?

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90. For a Jet engine aircraft, what speed is normally used to provide the
best engine efficiency?
a. The Lowest TAS Velocity
b. The Median TAS Velocity
c. The Highest TAS Velocity

8.3 Theory Of Flight - Gliding

91.

An aircraft possesses a glide capability when the amount of

___________ available is _______ than the amount of _________ required to

__________________________

92.

What are the two components of an aircraft in a glide?

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93. For an aircraft of a given weight, what will be the result in reducing
the glide angle?
a. An increase in drag, reducing the Lift/Drag Ratio
b. A decrease in Drag, increasing the Lift/Drag Ratio
c. No change to the Lift/Drag Ratio

94. An aircrafts glide distance is 3nm, with a reduction in altitude of

0.5nm. What is the aircrafts Lift/Drag Ratio?

95. An aircrafts V(IMD) is 85Knots. If the airspeed in the glide is adjusted

to 70knots & 95Knots respectively, which speed will the aircraft
achieve the further ground distance? Explain your answer.

96. Where can the best glide angle and weight adjustment be found for
an aircraft & what effect will an increase in weight have on the Glide
endurance & Range?

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8.3 Theory Of Flight - Turning

97.
For an aircraft in a turn, which components provides the Centripetal
force and support for the weight of the aircraft?

98. An aircraft enters a turn clock-wise, explain what actions must be

carried out by the pilot to maintain level flight? Explain your answer.

99.

The factors that are affected with a change in aircraft weight are

_______ _______ & ________ radius ___ _________

__ ________.

100.
For an aircraft with a fixed vector of lift in a turn, if the weight
of the aircraft is doubled, what will happen to the available Load
Factor?

101.
An aircraft with an All Up Weight of 25,000kg enters a turn at
an angle of 300 what will be the required lift and resulting g loading?

102.
What are the three conditions that must be me for the
minimum radius of turn?

I.

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II.

103.
An aircraft weighs 100,000lbs, a wing area of 100 ft sq &
structural limit of 300,000lbs. Calculate:

I.

Wing Loading

II.

Load Factor

104.
Will a heavier aircraft than in question above be able to
achieve a greater or lower bank angle? Explain your answer.

105.
State the radius of turn formulae and the relationship with
weight & Speed?

106.
As altitude increases, the rate of turn and minimum turn
radius:
a. Decreases
b. Increases
c. Remain the same.

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8.3 Theory Of Flight Lift Augmentation

107.

Leading edge

devices, cause the velocity of airflow over the wing to ________, which
in turn delays the ________ _________, allowing the __________ ____
___________ to move forward. This _______________ the stalling Angle __
_________, which effectively ______________ the lift at ___________
airspeeds.
108.
Complete the
table below (drawing the device in the Type column) for the
characteristics of the Augmentation devices, listing
advantages/disadvantages:
Type

Leading Edge

Type

Device Effect

Trailing Edge Device

Effect

Slats

Plain

Flaps

Split

Droope

Extension

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Kruege

Combinati

on

109.
Look at the
graph below, label the axis and match each lift profile to the High Lift
Device configuration: Plain Aerofoil, Aerofoil with Flaps, Aerofoil with
Flaps & Slats.

110.
From the plotted characteristics in the graph above, what are
the aerodynamic cross-sections of the Aerofoils?

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8.4 Flight Stability & Dynamics - Introduction

111. Roll is motion about the _______________ Axis & provides stability in
the _________axis. Pitch is motion about the _______________ Axis &
provides stability in the _________axis. Yaw is motion about the
_______________ Axis & provides stability in the _________axis.
112. Stability characteristics of an aircraft are determined by:
a. The pilots control input
b. The design of the aircraft
c. Weather conditions during the flight
113.

What is the relationship between stability & controllability for

an aircraft?

114.

An aircraft reacts to aerodynamic disturbances but what

defines (or is the difference) between Dynamic & Static Stability.

8.4 Flight Stability & Dynamics Static & Dynamic Stability

115.

Provide three examples of Static Stability & whether it is

Positive, Neutral or Negative stability:

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I.

Positive

II.

Neutral

III.

Negative

116.

Which type of dynamic stability can be said to be the opposite

of Dynamic Unstable (Divergent Oscillation)? Draw the plotted chart

of the flight path.

117.

What is Dead Beat Stability? Draw the plotted chart of the

Flight Path.

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118.
If a gust of wind forces an aircraft into a nose down attitude,
what effective force is being provided by the Tail-plane to counteract
this?
a. Lift on the lower part of the tail-plane providing an effective
downward force
b. Lift on the upper part of the tail-plane providing an effective
upward force
c. No reaction forces will be provided by the tail-plane.
119.
What is the degree of longitudinal stability of an aircraft
dependant on? Explain your answers.

120.

If the C of G for an aircraft is moved to the aft C of G point,

this will result in reduced __________, meaning that the stick-force

required to move the flying control surface is _____________.
121.

Where are most aircraft range of movement of C Of G, what is

it called & where can the information for each aircraft type be found?
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122.

What are the three factors determining the Coefficient of Lift

(CL) for a Tail?

123.

The size of the __________ arm multiplied by the ____________

area is known as the ____________ ______________ & is one of the main

parameters designers use in determining the __________ of the
___________ required.
124.

For an aircraft to maintain stability in flight, the tail-plane CW

_____________ force OR _______________(LT), should equal the mainplane ACW __________ force OR _________________ (LW).
125.
For an aircraft to have stability, if the main-plane Lift is 6 units
acting through the wings Centre of Pressure (C of P), 2 Units away
from the C of G & the tail provides a download of 2 Units, through its
C of P. How long is the tail-plane C of P from the C of G?

126.

What is the Longitudinal Dihedral Angle?

a. The difference in the Angle of incidence between the main-plane &

tail-plane, which is measured between the RAF & Chord-lines of
both surfaces.
b. The difference in the Angle of Attack between the main-plane &
tail-plane, which is measured between the RAF & Chord-lines of
the main-plane and tail-plane.
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c. The difference in the Angle of Incidence between the main-plane &

tail-plane, which is measured between Chord-lines of the mainplane and tail-plane.
127.

Identify a further three factors affecting stability and explain

the one of them.

I.

II.

III.

8.4 Directional Stability

128.
What provides directional stability for an aircraft & what two
factors determine the degree of directional stability?

129.

Where is the moment arm measured for the Vertical stabiliser

on an aircraft?

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130.
A high speed aircrafts vertical stabiliser can stall, due to wind
gusts, how can designers rectify this problem?
a. Fit larger vertical stabilisers
b. Fit smaller vertical stabilisers with large AR
c. Build in more sweep-back into the vertical stabiliser
131.
The lateral stability of an aircraft is the ability of an aircraft to
recover from a __________naturally about its _____________ axis.

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