12 free practice questions from the 261 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.
Pitot-Static SystemPAR-03-002
Which flight instrument requires both pitot (ram) pressure and static pressure to operate?
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The answer is C: Airspeed indicator
The airspeed indicator compares ram pressure from the pitot tube with static pressure; the difference (dynamic pressure) is displayed as airspeed. The altimeter uses static pressure only, and the turn coordinator is a gyro instrument.
The airspeed indicator compares ram pressure from the pitot tube with static pressure; the difference (dynamic pressure) is displayed as airspeed. The altimeter uses static pressure only, and the turn coordinator is a gyro instrument.
Which statement about using the VSI in turbulent air is correct?
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The answer is B: Its readings fluctuate and lag, so use it with the altimeter and attitude indicator
Turbulence and abrupt control inputs make the VSI needle fluctuate, and its rate indication lags several seconds. It is best used as a trend aid, cross-checked with the altimeter and attitude indicator, rather than chased.
The answer is B: Its readings fluctuate and lag, so use it with the altimeter and attitude indicator
Turbulence and abrupt control inputs make the VSI needle fluctuate, and its rate indication lags several seconds. It is best used as a trend aid, cross-checked with the altimeter and attitude indicator, rather than chased.
Your altimeter is still set to 29.70 from the departure airport, but the current setting along your route is 30.10. The altimeter reads 3,000 feet. Assuming standard temperature, approximately what is your true altitude?
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The answer is C: 3,400 feet MSL
The setting in the window is 0.40 in. Hg too low, so the altimeter under-reads by about 400 feet: 3,000 + 400 = 3,400 feet MSL. Flying from low to high pressure without resetting leaves the airplane higher than indicated.
The setting in the window is 0.40 in. Hg too low, so the altimeter under-reads by about 400 feet: 3,000 + 400 = 3,400 feet MSL. Flying from low to high pressure without resetting leaves the airplane higher than indicated.
The answer is C: It is the basis for flight levels and for computing airplane performance
Pressure altitude is the basis for assigning flight levels at or above 18,000 feet MSL (altimeters set to 29.92) and is the starting point for performance computations such as density altitude and true airspeed.
The answer is C: It is the basis for flight levels and for computing airplane performance
Pressure altitude is the basis for assigning flight levels at or above 18,000 feet MSL (altimeters set to 29.92) and is the starting point for performance computations such as density altitude and true airspeed.
In flight, ice blocks the pitot tube's ram-air inlet, but the drain hole remains open. How will the airspeed indicator respond?
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The answer is A: It will drop toward zero as pitot pressure bleeds off through the drain
With the ram inlet blocked and the drain open, the pressure in the pitot line vents to ambient (static) pressure, so the differential disappears and the ASI drops to zero. The altimeter-like behavior occurs only when both the inlet and the drain are blocked.
The answer is A: It will drop toward zero as pitot pressure bleeds off through the drain
With the ram inlet blocked and the drain open, the pressure in the pitot line vents to ambient (static) pressure, so the differential disappears and the ASI drops to zero. The altimeter-like behavior occurs only when both the inlet and the drain are blocked.
Which factors increase a gyro rotor's rigidity in space?
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The answer is A: Greater rotor mass, higher spin speed, and mass concentrated far from the axis
Rigidity depends on the rotor's mass, its rotational speed, and how far the mass is from the spin axis. Instrument rotors are heavy for their size, spin very fast, and have their mass concentrated at the rim.
The answer is A: Greater rotor mass, higher spin speed, and mass concentrated far from the axis
Rigidity depends on the rotor's mass, its rotational speed, and how far the mass is from the spin axis. Instrument rotors are heavy for their size, spin very fast, and have their mass concentrated at the rim.
How does a turn-and-slip indicator's turn needle differ from a turn coordinator's miniature airplane?
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The answer is C: The needle shows rate of turn only, not rate of roll
The turn-and-slip indicator's gyro is mounted so it senses rotation only about the vertical axis, giving rate of turn. The turn coordinator's canted gimbal adds rate-of-roll information. Neither instrument displays bank angle.
The answer is C: The needle shows rate of turn only, not rate of roll
The turn-and-slip indicator's gyro is mounted so it senses rotation only about the vertical axis, giving rate of turn. The turn coordinator's canted gimbal adds rate-of-roll information. Neither instrument displays bank angle.
What is the purpose of the vacuum system's relief (regulator) valve?
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The answer is B: To keep suction at the correct value for the gyro instruments
The vacuum pump can produce more suction than the instruments need, especially at high RPM. The relief valve admits air as needed to hold suction in the proper range so the gyros spin at the correct speed.
The answer is B: To keep suction at the correct value for the gyro instruments
The vacuum pump can produce more suction than the instruments need, especially at high RPM. The relief valve admits air as needed to hold suction in the proper range so the gyros spin at the correct speed.
In cruise, red X's suddenly appear over the airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed tapes on your PFD, while the attitude and heading displays remain normal. What has most likely failed, and what should you use?
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The answer is C: The air data computer; use the standby airspeed indicator and altimeter
Airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed all come from the air data computer, so losing all three together points to an ADC (or air data input) failure. The AHRS is still working because attitude and heading remain valid; use the standby pitot-static instruments.
The answer is C: The air data computer; use the standby airspeed indicator and altimeter
Airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed all come from the air data computer, so losing all three together points to an ADC (or air data input) failure. The AHRS is still working because attitude and heading remain valid; use the standby pitot-static instruments.
During the preflight check of the turn coordinator, what should you check on its inclinometer?
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The answer is C: The tube is full of fluid with no air bubbles
The inclinometer tube should be full of damping fluid with no bubbles, and the ball should rest at the bottom (center) with the airplane level. During taxi turns the ball should move freely toward the outside of the turn.
The answer is C: The tube is full of fluid with no air bubbles
The inclinometer tube should be full of damping fluid with no bubbles, and the ball should rest at the bottom (center) with the airplane level. During taxi turns the ball should move freely toward the outside of the turn.
According to the AFH, which items can limit the effectiveness of an angle of attack indicator?
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The answer is C: Calibration, unheated probes or vanes, flap setting, or wing contamination
The AFH lists calibration techniques, unheated probes or vanes, the type of indicator, flap setting, and wing contamination as limitations. Weight, bank angle, temperature, and density altitude do not change the critical AOA (PHAK), which is exactly why an AOA indicator remains useful as they change.
The answer is C: Calibration, unheated probes or vanes, flap setting, or wing contamination
The AFH lists calibration techniques, unheated probes or vanes, the type of indicator, flap setting, and wing contamination as limitations. Weight, bank angle, temperature, and density altitude do not change the critical AOA (PHAK), which is exactly why an AOA indicator remains useful as they change.
During a steep maneuver, your older vacuum-driven attitude indicator tumbles. Which instruments should you use to control bank and pitch until it re-erects?
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The answer is A: Turn coordinator for bank; airspeed, altimeter, and VSI for pitch
With the attitude indicator tumbled, fly partial panel: the turn coordinator shows bank control (wings level or a standard-rate turn), while the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and VSI show pitch. The heading indicator shows heading only, so it cannot serve as a pitch reference.
The answer is A: Turn coordinator for bank; airspeed, altimeter, and VSI for pitch
With the attitude indicator tumbled, fly partial panel: the turn coordinator shows bank control (wings level or a standard-rate turn), while the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and VSI show pitch. The heading indicator shows heading only, so it cannot serve as a pitch reference.
