Aviation Knowledge Quiz: Mastering Aircraft Systems

The load factor is the ratio between the total airload imposed on the wing and the gross weight of an aircraft in flight. It directly affects the stall speed of an aircraft. A higher load factor increases the stall speed, meaning that the aircraft needs to fly at a higher speed to maintain lift and avoid stalling. Therefore, the correct answer is "load factor and directly affects stall speed."

Using a lower grade of fuel than recommended can cause detonation. Detonation refers to the uncontrolled combustion of fuel in the engine, resulting in a rapid increase in pressure and temperature. Lower-grade fuels have lower octane ratings, which means they are more prone to detonation. When the fuel detonates instead of burning smoothly, it can lead to knocking or pinging noises in the engine, reduced performance, and potential damage to the engine components. Therefore, using a lower grade of fuel than recommended can be a cause of detonation.

Frequent inspections of aircraft exhaust manifold-type heating systems are necessary to minimize the possibility of exhaust gases leaking into the cockpit. This is important for the safety of the crew and passengers as exhaust gases can be harmful if inhaled. Regular inspections help identify any leaks or issues with the heating system, allowing for timely repairs or maintenance to prevent such leaks and ensure a safe environment inside the aircraft.

As the flight altitude increases, the air density decreases. This means that less air is entering the carburetor. However, the amount of fuel remains constant, meaning that the fuel-to-air ratio becomes richer. This can lead to a rich mixture, which can cause engine performance issues such as decreased power and increased fuel consumption. Therefore, it is important to lean the mixture as the flight altitude increases to maintain the correct fuel-to-air ratio.

Leaving the carburetor heat on during takeoff will increase the ground roll because the carburetor heat is used to prevent ice formation in the carburetor. When the carburetor heat is on, it introduces warm air into the carburetor, which reduces the density of the air-fuel mixture and decreases engine power. This reduction in power can lead to a longer ground roll during takeoff as the aircraft may not be able to generate enough thrust to accelerate quickly.

If the ground wire between the magneto and the ignition switch becomes disconnected, the engine could accidentally start if the propeller is moved with fuel in the cylinder. This is because the ground wire is responsible for grounding the magneto, which controls the ignition system. If the wire is disconnected, it can cause a spark in the magneto, leading to an accidental start if the propeller is moved and there is fuel in the cylinder.

When an airplane is in ground effect, it experiences a cushioning effect from the ground which reduces the amount of induced drag. This means that the airplane requires less lift to maintain level flight compared to when it is out of ground effect. To produce the same lift while in ground effect, the airplane needs to have a lower angle of attack. This is because a lower angle of attack generates less lift, compensating for the reduced drag and allowing the airplane to maintain the same lift force.

The operational difference between the turn coordinator and the turn-and-slip indicator is that the turn coordinator indicates roll rate, rate of turn, and coordination, while the turn-and-slip indicator only indicates rate of turn and coordination.

The magnetic deviation of a compass refers to the angle between magnetic north and true north. This angle can vary depending on the heading of the aircraft. Therefore, the statement that "varies for different headings of the same aircraft" is true. The other options are incorrect because the deviation is not the same for all aircraft in the same locality, and it can also vary over time as the agonic line (the line where true north and magnetic north align) shifts.

When an aircraft is in ground effect, it experiences an increase in lift and a decrease in induced drag. This is because the ground effect reduces the amount of air that can flow underneath the wings, resulting in a compression of the air and an increase in lift. At the same time, the reduced airflow also reduces the vortices that cause induced drag. Therefore, maintaining the same angle of attack in ground effect will result in an increase in lift and a decrease in induced drag.

A broken magneto ground wire can cause the engine to continue running after the ignition switch has been turned off. The magneto ground wire is responsible for grounding the magneto, which is a device that generates the spark needed for ignition. If the ground wire is broken, it may not be able to effectively ground the magneto, allowing it to continue producing sparks and keeping the engine running.

The correct answer is the ratio of thrust horsepower to brake horsepower. Propeller efficiency is a measure of how effectively a propeller converts the power of the engine into thrust. It is calculated by dividing the thrust horsepower (the power required to produce thrust) by the brake horsepower (the power output of the engine). This ratio gives an indication of how efficiently the propeller is converting the engine's power into useful thrust. The higher the ratio, the more efficient the propeller is.

The correct answer is that for a specific angle of bank and airspeed, the rate and radius of turn will not vary. This means that as long as the angle of bank and airspeed remain constant, the rate at which the airplane turns and the size of the turn will remain consistent. This is because the angle of bank determines the rate of turn, while the airspeed determines the radius of turn. As long as these two factors remain constant, the rate and radius of turn will not change.

Explanation: By idling the engine and momentarily turning the ignition off, the primary grounding lead of the magneto is disconnected. If the magneto is functioning properly, there should be a noticeable drop in RPM when the ignition is turned off. However, if the magneto primary grounding lead is broken, there will be no change in RPM when the ignition is turned off, indicating a faulty magneto.

The load factor is the ratio of the lift force to the weight of the aircraft. In a level turn, the lift force must equal the weight of the aircraft in order to maintain altitude. Therefore, the load factor remains constant regardless of air density and the resultant lift vector. This is because the angle of bank is held constant, meaning the lift force is always perpendicular to the wings and directly opposes the weight of the aircraft. As long as the angle of bank is maintained, the load factor will not change.