12 free practice questions from the 246 in this chapter of StudyWren Aviation. Pick an answer and check it to see the explanation and its FAA source. Part of the free Private Pilot practice test.
Reciprocating EnginePAR-02-011
A piston airplane is equipped with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC). Which pilot control would you expect NOT to find in its flight deck?
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The answer is A: A manual mixture control
FADEC computes the injector pulse and ignition timing for each cylinder and adjusts the fuel-air mixture automatically, so it eliminates the need for magnetos, carburetor heat, a mixture control and manual priming. The pilot simply positions a single power lever, and the airplane still has an electrical system with a master switch.
FADEC computes the injector pulse and ignition timing for each cylinder and adjusts the fuel-air mixture automatically, so it eliminates the need for magnetos, carburetor heat, a mixture control and manual priming. The pilot simply positions a single power lever, and the airplane still has an electrical system with a master switch.
What is generally considered the chief disadvantage of the float-type carburetor?
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The answer is B: Its tendency to form ice
Float carburetors also perform poorly during abrupt maneuvers, but their chief disadvantage is icing, because fuel is discharged at the low-pressure venturi throat where the vaporization cooling occurs.
Float carburetors also perform poorly during abrupt maneuvers, but their chief disadvantage is icing, because fuel is discharged at the low-pressure venturi throat where the vaporization cooling occurs.
You leaned the mixture aggressively while taxiing at a sea-level airport to reduce plug fouling. What must you do before applying takeoff power?
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The answer is B: Set it full rich, or as the POH specifies for takeoff
A mixture leaned for low-power taxi is far too lean for takeoff power at low elevation and can cause overheating, detonation, or power loss. The before-takeoff checklist resets the mixture (full rich at low-elevation airports) per the POH.
The answer is B: Set it full rich, or as the POH specifies for takeoff
A mixture leaned for low-power taxi is far too lean for takeoff power at low elevation and can cause overheating, detonation, or power loss. The before-takeoff checklist resets the mixture (full rich at low-elevation airports) per the POH.
What is detonation in a reciprocating aircraft engine?
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The answer is C: Explosive, uncontrolled ignition of the charge in the cylinder
Detonation is the uncontrolled, explosive ignition of the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber, causing excessive temperatures and pressures. Ignition from a hot spot before the normal spark is preignition.
The answer is C: Explosive, uncontrolled ignition of the charge in the cylinder
Detonation is the uncontrolled, explosive ignition of the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber, causing excessive temperatures and pressures. Ignition from a hot spot before the normal spark is preignition.
Jet fuel is undyed: clear or straw colored, with a distinctive kerosene odor and an oily feel. It may appear tinted if it has been mixed with dyed avgas.
Jet fuel is undyed: clear or straw colored, with a distinctive kerosene odor and an oily feel. It may appear tinted if it has been mixed with dyed avgas.
In cruise, your oil temperature is climbing toward the red line while all other indications are normal. Which is a possible cause?
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The answer is A: A blocked oil cooler
High oil temperature with the other indications normal points to a problem in the oil system or its indication, such as a blocked oil cooler, a plugged oil line, low oil quantity, or a defective temperature gauge. Open cowl flaps increase cooling airflow and lower engine temperatures, and carburetor heat does not raise oil temperature.
High oil temperature with the other indications normal points to a problem in the oil system or its indication, such as a blocked oil cooler, a plugged oil line, low oil quantity, or a defective temperature gauge. Open cowl flaps increase cooling airflow and lower engine temperatures, and carburetor heat does not raise oil temperature.
Why do certificated training airplanes use a dual ignition system with two magnetos and two spark plugs per cylinder?
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The answer is C: For reliability and slightly better combustion and power
Two independent magnetos with separate wiring and plugs increase reliability; if one fails, the engine runs on the other with only a slight power decrease. Firing two plugs also improves combustion and slightly increases power.
The answer is C: For reliability and slightly better combustion and power
Two independent magnetos with separate wiring and plugs increase reliability; if one fails, the engine runs on the other with only a slight power decrease. Firing two plugs also improves combustion and slightly increases power.
An owner who operates mostly from short, high-elevation airstrips is choosing a fixed-pitch propeller. Which type best suits this operation, and why?
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The answer is C: A climb propeller; its lower pitch allows higher RPM and power for takeoff
A climb propeller has lower pitch and less drag, allowing higher RPM and more horsepower, which improves takeoff and climb but reduces cruise performance. A cruise propeller has higher pitch, which helps cruise efficiency.
The answer is C: A climb propeller; its lower pitch allows higher RPM and power for takeoff
A climb propeller has lower pitch and less drag, allowing higher RPM and more horsepower, which improves takeoff and climb but reduces cruise performance. A cruise propeller has higher pitch, which helps cruise efficiency.
In cruise in a turbocharged airplane at a given power setting, which control has the greatest influence on exhaust gas or turbine inlet temperature (TIT)?
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The answer is A: The mixture control
The throttle regulates total fuel flow, but the mixture governs the fuel-to-air ratio, so at a given cruise power the mixture is the most influential control over EGT/TIT. Turbocharged engines run hotter and require careful heat management.
The throttle regulates total fuel flow, but the mixture governs the fuel-to-air ratio, so at a given cruise power the mixture is the most influential control over EGT/TIT. Turbocharged engines run hotter and require careful heat management.
Your airplane has a split rocker master switch labeled ALT and BAT. In flight, the alternator fails and you turn the ALT side OFF as the POH directs. What is now true?
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The answer is B: The battery carries the entire load, so nonessential equipment should be turned off
With the alternator half OFF, the entire electrical load is placed on the battery. All nonessential electrical equipment should be turned off to conserve battery power. The engine keeps running on its magnetos.
The answer is B: The battery carries the entire load, so nonessential equipment should be turned off
With the alternator half OFF, the entire electrical load is placed on the battery. All nonessential electrical equipment should be turned off to conserve battery power. The engine keeps running on its magnetos.
In cruise in a constant-speed propeller airplane, the engine suddenly loses all power. What will the manifold pressure gauge show?
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The answer is B: A rise to about the ambient air pressure at that altitude
A running engine creates suction in the intake manifold. An engine failure or power loss is indicated by manifold pressure increasing to a value corresponding to ambient pressure at the altitude where the failure occurred.
The answer is B: A rise to about the ambient air pressure at that altitude
A running engine creates suction in the intake manifold. An engine failure or power loss is indicated by manifold pressure increasing to a value corresponding to ambient pressure at the altitude where the failure occurred.
Why do the AFH and POHs emphasize servicing the engine with the proper grade (viscosity) of oil for the season?
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The answer is A: Oil too thick for the cold flows slowly, delaying lubrication at start
Cold oil of improper viscosity flows sluggishly, so critical parts are poorly lubricated during and after the start; low oil temperature indications can also signal improper viscosity. Use the oil grade the POH specifies for the conditions.
The answer is A: Oil too thick for the cold flows slowly, delaying lubrication at start
Cold oil of improper viscosity flows sluggishly, so critical parts are poorly lubricated during and after the start; low oil temperature indications can also signal improper viscosity. Use the oil grade the POH specifies for the conditions.
