(Airframe Oral Questions: 2026 Test Preparation)
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Terms in this set (360)
What is the function of a vortex generator? It is designed to delay or prevent separation of the boundary layer.
What are the three axes of an airplane? Longitudinal. lateral. and vertical.
Page 1 3/30/2026, 4:48:56 PM
, (Airframe Oral Questions: 2026 Test Preparation)
What are the three primary flight controls of an The ailerons. elevator. and rudder.
aircraft?
Name several secondary flight controls and Secondary flight controls consist of various types to trim tabs such as
describe their general purpose? balance tabs. anti-servo and servo tabs. and spring tabs. Their function
is to assist the pilot in moving the controls and to trim the aircraft to fly
hands-off.
Name several types of auxiliary flight controls and The auxiliary flight controls consist of the various high-lift devices used
describe their general purpose? during low-speed flight such as leading and trailing edge flaps. slats.
slots. speed brakes. etc.
What is a servo trim tab? It is an auxiliary control. positioned by the movement of a cockpit control
and designed to create aerodynamic forces to assist in moving a control
surface.
What is a spring tab? It is an auxiliary control designed to aid the movement of a primary
control at high speeds when control forces become too high.
What is a balance trim tab? It is an auxiliary control designed to create aerodynamic forces to assist
in moving a control surface. The tab is positioned by a control rod
connected to the fixed surface on the same side as the horn on the tab.
What are four most common types of high lift Leading and trailing edge flaps. slats. and slots.
devices?
Describe some of the tools used to check control A universal propeller protractor or special control surface protractor.
surface travel?
Name three mechanical methods by which flight Cables. push-pull rods. and torque tubes.
control systems may be actuated.
What is a fairlead? It is a device to prevent a cable from rubbing on the aircraft structure.
What are the most likely places for a control cable Where the cables pass over pulleys or through fairleads.
to wear or break?
What information is required before a cable rigging The ambient temperature and the cable size.
chart can be used?
What is the function of a cable tension regulator? It automatically adjusts the cable tension to compensate for expansion
and contraction in the aircraft structure.
Describe the function of a rotorcraft collective pitch The collective control causes each rotor blade to change its pitch angle
control. by the same amount. thus increasing or decreasing the lift produced by
the rotor.
Describe the function of a rotorcraft cyclic pitch The cyclic control tilts the main rotor disc by changing the pitch angle of
control. each rotor blade during its cycle of rotation. which causes the helicopter
to move in the direction the rotor tilts.
What mechanism is most commonly used to The tail (or anti-torque) rotor.
compensate for the torque produced by the main
rotor of a helicopter?
Page 2 3/30/2026, 4:48:56 PM
, (Airframe Oral Questions: 2026 Test Preparation)
How is the amount of thrust produced by the tail By moving the foot pedals.
rotor controlled?
Why should control surfaces be locked when an To prevent damage from the wind.
aircraft is parked?
What is the major type of damage to aluminum Corrosion
structures that is caused by exposure to the
weather?
Name several methods for forming sheet metal? Bending or folding. stretching. shrinking. bumping. and crimping.
What are the dimensions of a properly formed rivet The head should be 1 1/2 times the shank diameter in width and ½ the
head? shank diameter in height.
Describe the markings found on the heads of A. B. A rivets are plain. B rivets have a cross. D rivets have a raised dot. AD
D. AD. and DD rivets. rivets have a dimple. and DD rivets have a double dash.
What happens to the stem of a self-plugging The stem is pulled until it snaps off and the remaining projecting part is
(friction lock) rivet when the rivet is installed? trimmed flush with the head.
Name at least three types of self-plugging CherryMax. CherryLock. Olympic-locs. andHuck.
mechanical lock rivets.
What is the difference between the tools required to CherryLock rivets require a tool for each different size and head shape.
pull a CherryLock rivet and a CherryMax rivet? while one pulling tool will set any size Cherry Max rivet.
Which of the five stresses is the most common Shear
cause of rivet failure?
If a 2024 rivet must be replaced with a 2117 rivet. For 5/32" or smaller diameter. use the next larger size 2117 rivet.
how do you determine the size to be used? assuming that the edge distance and spacing meet the minimum
requirements.
Describe the process for determining the total Add the grip length (thickness of the materials being joined) plus 1 ½
length of a solid rivet for a particular installation. times the rivet diameter.
What minimum edge distance and spacing should Not less than two rivet diameters from the edge and not less than three
be used for a single row of protruding head rivets? rivet diameters apart.
How can a mechanic determine whether the By the thickness of the top sheet; thin sheets are dimpled while thick
countersink for a flush rivet should be dimpled or sheets may be countersunk.
drilled?
What action is taken to prevent cracks from forming Hot dimpling equipment is used to preheat and soften the metal before
while dimpling magnesium or some hard sheet the dimple is formed.
metals?
What type of damage can occur when using a rivet If the radius of the set is too small. the rivet head may be damaged.
set that does not properly fit the rivet? whereas a set with an over-sized radius may cause damage to the sheet
metal.
Page 3 3/30/2026, 4:48:56 PM
Save
A
ir
fr
a
m
e
O
r
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Q
u
e
st
io
n
s
Students
also
studied
Terms in this set (360)
What is the function of a vortex generator? It is designed to delay or prevent separation of the boundary layer.
What are the three axes of an airplane? Longitudinal. lateral. and vertical.
Page 1 3/30/2026, 4:48:56 PM
, (Airframe Oral Questions: 2026 Test Preparation)
What are the three primary flight controls of an The ailerons. elevator. and rudder.
aircraft?
Name several secondary flight controls and Secondary flight controls consist of various types to trim tabs such as
describe their general purpose? balance tabs. anti-servo and servo tabs. and spring tabs. Their function
is to assist the pilot in moving the controls and to trim the aircraft to fly
hands-off.
Name several types of auxiliary flight controls and The auxiliary flight controls consist of the various high-lift devices used
describe their general purpose? during low-speed flight such as leading and trailing edge flaps. slats.
slots. speed brakes. etc.
What is a servo trim tab? It is an auxiliary control. positioned by the movement of a cockpit control
and designed to create aerodynamic forces to assist in moving a control
surface.
What is a spring tab? It is an auxiliary control designed to aid the movement of a primary
control at high speeds when control forces become too high.
What is a balance trim tab? It is an auxiliary control designed to create aerodynamic forces to assist
in moving a control surface. The tab is positioned by a control rod
connected to the fixed surface on the same side as the horn on the tab.
What are four most common types of high lift Leading and trailing edge flaps. slats. and slots.
devices?
Describe some of the tools used to check control A universal propeller protractor or special control surface protractor.
surface travel?
Name three mechanical methods by which flight Cables. push-pull rods. and torque tubes.
control systems may be actuated.
What is a fairlead? It is a device to prevent a cable from rubbing on the aircraft structure.
What are the most likely places for a control cable Where the cables pass over pulleys or through fairleads.
to wear or break?
What information is required before a cable rigging The ambient temperature and the cable size.
chart can be used?
What is the function of a cable tension regulator? It automatically adjusts the cable tension to compensate for expansion
and contraction in the aircraft structure.
Describe the function of a rotorcraft collective pitch The collective control causes each rotor blade to change its pitch angle
control. by the same amount. thus increasing or decreasing the lift produced by
the rotor.
Describe the function of a rotorcraft cyclic pitch The cyclic control tilts the main rotor disc by changing the pitch angle of
control. each rotor blade during its cycle of rotation. which causes the helicopter
to move in the direction the rotor tilts.
What mechanism is most commonly used to The tail (or anti-torque) rotor.
compensate for the torque produced by the main
rotor of a helicopter?
Page 2 3/30/2026, 4:48:56 PM
, (Airframe Oral Questions: 2026 Test Preparation)
How is the amount of thrust produced by the tail By moving the foot pedals.
rotor controlled?
Why should control surfaces be locked when an To prevent damage from the wind.
aircraft is parked?
What is the major type of damage to aluminum Corrosion
structures that is caused by exposure to the
weather?
Name several methods for forming sheet metal? Bending or folding. stretching. shrinking. bumping. and crimping.
What are the dimensions of a properly formed rivet The head should be 1 1/2 times the shank diameter in width and ½ the
head? shank diameter in height.
Describe the markings found on the heads of A. B. A rivets are plain. B rivets have a cross. D rivets have a raised dot. AD
D. AD. and DD rivets. rivets have a dimple. and DD rivets have a double dash.
What happens to the stem of a self-plugging The stem is pulled until it snaps off and the remaining projecting part is
(friction lock) rivet when the rivet is installed? trimmed flush with the head.
Name at least three types of self-plugging CherryMax. CherryLock. Olympic-locs. andHuck.
mechanical lock rivets.
What is the difference between the tools required to CherryLock rivets require a tool for each different size and head shape.
pull a CherryLock rivet and a CherryMax rivet? while one pulling tool will set any size Cherry Max rivet.
Which of the five stresses is the most common Shear
cause of rivet failure?
If a 2024 rivet must be replaced with a 2117 rivet. For 5/32" or smaller diameter. use the next larger size 2117 rivet.
how do you determine the size to be used? assuming that the edge distance and spacing meet the minimum
requirements.
Describe the process for determining the total Add the grip length (thickness of the materials being joined) plus 1 ½
length of a solid rivet for a particular installation. times the rivet diameter.
What minimum edge distance and spacing should Not less than two rivet diameters from the edge and not less than three
be used for a single row of protruding head rivets? rivet diameters apart.
How can a mechanic determine whether the By the thickness of the top sheet; thin sheets are dimpled while thick
countersink for a flush rivet should be dimpled or sheets may be countersunk.
drilled?
What action is taken to prevent cracks from forming Hot dimpling equipment is used to preheat and soften the metal before
while dimpling magnesium or some hard sheet the dimple is formed.
metals?
What type of damage can occur when using a rivet If the radius of the set is too small. the rivet head may be damaged.
set that does not properly fit the rivet? whereas a set with an over-sized radius may cause damage to the sheet
metal.
Page 3 3/30/2026, 4:48:56 PM
