RCAC Practice Exam (Airmanship, Engines, Radio) V1

Viscosity refers to the property of a fluid that determines its resistance to flow. It is a measure of the internal friction within the fluid, indicating how easily it can be deformed or made to flow. A high viscosity implies a thick or sticky fluid that flows slowly, while a low viscosity indicates a thin or runny fluid that flows quickly. Therefore, the correct answer is resistance to flow.

In emergency situations, pilots or sailors use different urgency signals to communicate distress or a potential emergency. The urgency signal "PAN-PAN" is used to indicate an urgent situation that is not immediately life-threatening. It is repeated three times to ensure that the message is clear and understood. This signal is different from the more severe distress signal "MAYDAY," which is used to indicate a life-threatening emergency and is repeated continuously for 10 seconds. Therefore, the correct answer is PAN-PAN, three times.

The phonetic spelling for "PILOTS" is Papa, India, Lima, Oscar, Tango, Sierra. Phonetic spelling is a way to communicate letters and words using a standardized set of words that represent each letter. In this case, each letter in "PILOTS" is represented by a word that starts with the respective letter in the NATO phonetic alphabet.

As altitude increases, the air pressure decreases. This decrease in air pressure affects the absorption and distribution of alcohol in the body. At higher altitudes, the effects of alcohol are enhanced because the body absorbs alcohol more quickly, leading to a higher blood alcohol concentration. Therefore, the effects of one drink of alcohol will increase with an increase in altitude.

The stall speed of an airplane refers to the minimum speed at which the aircraft can maintain level flight. This speed is determined by various factors such as the weight of the aircraft, its configuration, and the angle of attack. However, the altitude at which the airplane is flying does not directly affect the stall speed. The stall speed remains constant regardless of the altitude because it is primarily determined by the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft rather than the altitude at which it is operating.

VHF stands for Very High Frequency and is commonly used for air/ground communication. VHF radio waves have a frequency range of 30 MHz to 300 MHz, which allows for efficient transmission and reception of signals over relatively short distances. This makes VHF ideal for aviation communication, as it provides clear and reliable communication between aircraft and ground control. Additionally, VHF has a higher bandwidth compared to HF (High Frequency) and MF (Medium Frequency), enabling it to carry more information and support simultaneous conversations on different channels.

The word "Roger" is used in radio communication to acknowledge that a message has been received and understood. It is a standard phrase used in military and aviation contexts.

If one magneto should fail on an engine equipped with a dual ignition, a slight loss of power would result. This is because a dual ignition system provides redundancy, meaning that if one magneto fails, the other one can still provide spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture in the cylinders. However, the failed magneto would result in a decrease in the overall power output of the engine, albeit a slight one.

The upper limit of the white arc on an airspeed indicator represents the flap extension speed. Flaps are aerodynamic devices on the wings of an aircraft that are used to increase lift during takeoff and landing. Flap extension speed is the maximum speed at which it is safe to extend or retract the flaps without causing damage to the aircraft. Therefore, the correct answer is flap extension speed.

When ice accumulates on an airfoil in flight, it disrupts the smooth flow of air over the wing, causing a decrease in lift and an increase in drag. This results in an increase in the stall speed, which is the minimum speed required to maintain lift and avoid stalling. The presence of ice on the airfoil increases the risk of stalling at any flight condition, whether it is level flight or any other flight condition. Therefore, the correct answer is that the stall speed will increase in all flight conditions when ice has accumulated on an airfoil in flight.

Wake turbulence is the disturbance in the air caused by the wings of an aircraft. It is most severe immediately after rotation, which is the moment when the aircraft lifts off the ground and starts climbing. During rotation, the airflow over the wings changes, creating a strong vortex that can be dangerous for other aircraft flying behind. Therefore, following rotation is when the departing aircraft generates the strongest wake turbulence.

In a coordinated turn, the aeroplane experiences an increase in load factor, which is the ratio of the lift force to the weight of the aircraft. As the load factor increases, the stalling speed also increases. This means that the aeroplane needs to maintain a higher speed in order to avoid stalling in a coordinated turn compared to straight and level flight. Therefore, the stalling speed is greater in a coordinated turn as in straight and level flight.

EGT, or exhaust gas temperature, is a measure of the temperature of the gases exiting the combustion chamber of an engine. The correct answer is "Fuel / air mixture" because the ratio of fuel to air in the combustion chamber directly affects the temperature of the exhaust gases. A richer fuel mixture, with more fuel compared to air, will result in higher EGT, while a leaner mixture, with less fuel compared to air, will result in lower EGT. Therefore, the fuel/air mixture is a primary factor in determining the EGT of an engine.

Using low octane fuel in a high compression engine can lead to detonation. Detonation occurs when the air-fuel mixture ignites spontaneously and unevenly in the combustion chamber, causing a rapid increase in pressure and temperature. This can result in knocking or pinging sounds, decreased engine performance, and potential damage to the engine. Higher octane fuels are designed to resist premature ignition, which is crucial in high compression engines to ensure proper combustion and optimal engine performance.

Deceleration errors in a magnetic compass occur when the aircraft is turning and slowing down simultaneously. These errors are caused by the magnetic compass being affected by the Earth's magnetic field and the acceleration forces acting on the aircraft. When the aircraft is heading east or west, the deceleration forces are most pronounced because the compass is sensitive to changes in acceleration in these directions. Therefore, deceleration errors would be most pronounced on a heading of east and west.

Hypoxia refers to a condition where there is a lack of sufficient oxygen in the body. One of the major early symptoms of hypoxia is euphoria, which is an increased sense of well-being. This can be explained by the body's natural response to low oxygen levels. When the brain does not receive enough oxygen, it can cause a release of endorphins, which are chemicals that produce feelings of pleasure and well-being. Therefore, experiencing euphoria can be an indication of hypoxia.

Wing spoilers in gliding are used to increase the rate of descent at the same speed. By deploying the spoilers, the airflow over the wings is disrupted, reducing the lift generated by the wings. This causes the glider to descend more rapidly without increasing its airspeed. This can be useful in situations where the glider needs to descend quickly, such as during landing or when encountering turbulent weather conditions. Deploying spoilers allows the pilot to control the rate of descent more effectively and safely.

Developing proficiency in slow flight is important because it allows pilots to recognize the symptoms indicating the approach of a stall. Slow flight refers to flying at a speed close to the stall speed, where the aircraft is operating at a high angle of attack and is more susceptible to stalling. By practicing slow flight, pilots can become familiar with the specific handling characteristics and warning signs of an impending stall, such as the aircraft's control response, buffet, and loss of lift. This knowledge is crucial for pilots to react promptly and appropriately to prevent a stall and maintain control of the aircraft.

Wheebarrowing on landing occurs when the aircraft's main landing gear touches down before the nose gear, causing the aircraft to veer off to the side. This can be caused by a high approach speed, where the aircraft is coming in too fast for a smooth landing. The excess speed can make it difficult for the pilot to maintain control and properly align the nose gear with the runway. As a result, the main landing gear touches down first, leading to wheebarrowing.

Ground Control at a controlled airport is responsible for coordinating the movement of aircraft on the ground. They provide clearances for aircraft to taxi, which means giving permission for the aircraft to move on the ground from one location to another. This clearance ensures that the aircraft can safely navigate the taxiways and reach the designated runway for takeoff or after landing.

The correct answer is 121.60 MHz. This frequency is commonly used for Search and Rescue operations. It is an internationally recognized distress frequency and is monitored by air traffic control and emergency response teams. In case of an emergency, pilots and individuals in distress can use this frequency to communicate their situation and request assistance.

The propeller converts torque to thrust, which means it takes the rotational force (torque) generated by the engine and converts it into forward propulsion. This is achieved by moving a small mass of air backward at a relatively high speed. However, it can also move a large mass of air backward at a relatively low speed, which also contributes to the overall thrust generated by the propeller. Therefore, both options a and c are correct.

If the altimeter setting is mistakenly set to 30.70 in HG instead of the correct setting of 29.70 in HG, the altimeter will read 1,000' higher than the actual altitude. This is because the altimeter measures the atmospheric pressure, and a higher pressure setting will make the altimeter think the aircraft is at a higher altitude than it actually is. Therefore, the altimeter will read 1,000' high.

The maneuvering speed for an airplane refers to the maximum speed at which the flight controls can be used without exceeding the design load factor. This means that it is the speed at which the airplane can be safely maneuvered without putting excessive stress on the aircraft's structure. By operating within the maneuvering speed, pilots can ensure that the airplane remains within its safe operating limits during maneuvers, reducing the risk of structural damage or failure.

When carb heat is used, it causes a decrease in manifold pressure because the heated air is less dense than the cold air. This decrease in manifold pressure occurs because the heated air is not as effective at filling the cylinders. Additionally, carb heat enriches the mixture by adding hot air, which contains less oxygen, to the fuel mixture. This results in a higher fuel-to-air ratio, making the mixture richer.

In Radiotelephone Procedures, 12 o'clock midday is represented as 1200 and 12 o'clock midnight is represented as 2400.

When using carburetor heat while taxing, the heated air entering the induction system is not filtered. This is because the air bypasses the air filter and directly enters the engine, which can lead to the ingestion of debris and contaminants that would normally be filtered out. Therefore, it is recommended to keep the use of carburetor heat to a minimum during taxing to prevent damage to the engine.

A wet sump lubrication system has the advantage of simplicity because it does not require any additional components such as oil pumps or reservoirs. It relies on the oil being stored in a sump at the bottom of the engine, which makes it easier to maintain and less prone to failure. Additionally, a wet sump system can also contribute to the overall light weight of the engine, making it a desirable choice for certain applications. Therefore, the correct answer is simplicity.