SIFT Aviation multiple choice questions
with correct answers
A. an increase in altitude
B. an increase in altitude and lift
C. an increase in lift
D. an increase in thrust
E. a reduction in power at the engine intakes - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect.
Although the aircraft may increase its altitude, less dense air does not cause that effect.
B. Incorrect. Although the aircraft may increase its altitude and lift, less dense air does
not cause that effect.
C. Incorrect. Although the aircraft may increase its lift, less dense air does not cause
that effect.
D. Incorrect. Although the aircraft may increase its thrust, less dense air does not cause
that effect.
E. CORRECT. Less dense air reduces the power received by the engine intakes.
Empennage refers to the
A. fuselage
B. landing gear section
C. propellers or rotor blades
D. tail section
E. wings - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect. The fuselage includes the crew,
passenger, and cargo areas.
B. Incorrect. The tail section is separate from the landing gear section.
C. Incorrect. These are not part of the tail section, the empennage.
,D. CORRECT. The tail section is known as the empennage.
E. Incorrect. The wings are not part of the empennage.
How would a high-density altitude affect the performance of a helicopter?
A. Performance would be good due to the high value of the air density.
B. Performance may improve or be decreased: the density altitude has to be corrected
for nonstandard temperature.
C. Engine performance would increase, but rotor performance would decrease.
D. Performance would be decreased due to low value of the air density.
E. Density altitude is not as important a factor in performance as temperature and
humidity. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect. High-density altitude indicates low-
density air, which is typically found at high altitudes and above standard temperatures.
B. Incorrect. Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature.
C. Incorrect. A high-density altitude would decrease both engine and rotor performance.
D. CORRECT. As air density decreases, engine power output, rotor efficiency, and
aerodynamic lift also decrease.
E. Incorrect. Temperature and humidity are factors in determining density altitude and
are therefore not more important to performance, although humidity is difficult to
calculate and is rarely included in performance calculations.
How would a pilot recognize the onset of transverse flow effect?
A. During takeoff, a vibration and a right rolling motion occurs as the aircraft accelerates
through 10 to 20 knots.
B. During takeoff, as the aircraft accelerates through 16 to 24 knots, the rotor becomes
more efficient as airspeed increases until reaching best-rate-of-climb airspeed.
C. The rate of descent cannot be arrested with increased collective pitch.
D. At high airspeed, increased vibration and buffeting with an eventual left roll and nose
pitching up.
E. A self-energizing oscillation of the fuselage occurs. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A.
CORRECT. Air entering the rotor system at the rear has a greater induced flow, causing
a reduced angle of attack, less lift, and unequal drag between the fore and aft portions
of the disk. The difference in angle of attack causes a right roll due to gyroscopic
procession, and a vibration results as the effect moves from front to rear.
B. Incorrect. This is a description of effective translational lift.
C. Incorrect. This is a symptom of settling with power.
D. Incorrect. This is a symptom of retreating blade stall.
, E. Incorrect. This is a symptom of ground resonance.
If magnetic north is a positive 15-degree variation (west) from true north, to convert true
north to magnetic north when flying eastbound, what is the adjustment a pilot must
make to the magnetic compass?
A. add 7.5 degrees
B. add 15 degrees
C. add 345 degrees
D. subtract 15 degrees
E. subtract 345 degrees - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect. Do not halve the degree
of variation.
B. CORRECT. "East is least, west is best." The adjustment is a 15-degree west
variation.
C. Incorrect. Do not take the difference from 360 degrees to determine variation.
D. Incorrect. "East is least, west is best." Subtract for an easterly variation, and add for
a westerly variation.
E. Incorrect. Do not take the difference from 360 degrees to determine variation.
If the airspeed indicator needle is in the yellow and approaching the red line during a
maneuver, what would be the correct response?
A. change attitude by 90 degrees
B. decrease altitude
C. decrease airspeed
D. increase airspeed
E. increase thrust - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect. A change of heading would not
reduce airspeed.
B. Incorrect. Decreasing altitude will result in an initial higher airspeed.
C. CORRECT. Approaching the red line means the aircraft is reaching the maximum
airspeed for the aircraft.
D. Incorrect. Increasing airspeed will exceed the maximum airspeed of the aircraft.
E. Incorrect. Increasing thrust will increase airspeed to an excess level if all other forces
remain the same.
If there is no increase in thrust, which action would result in an ultimate stall?
with correct answers
A. an increase in altitude
B. an increase in altitude and lift
C. an increase in lift
D. an increase in thrust
E. a reduction in power at the engine intakes - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect.
Although the aircraft may increase its altitude, less dense air does not cause that effect.
B. Incorrect. Although the aircraft may increase its altitude and lift, less dense air does
not cause that effect.
C. Incorrect. Although the aircraft may increase its lift, less dense air does not cause
that effect.
D. Incorrect. Although the aircraft may increase its thrust, less dense air does not cause
that effect.
E. CORRECT. Less dense air reduces the power received by the engine intakes.
Empennage refers to the
A. fuselage
B. landing gear section
C. propellers or rotor blades
D. tail section
E. wings - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect. The fuselage includes the crew,
passenger, and cargo areas.
B. Incorrect. The tail section is separate from the landing gear section.
C. Incorrect. These are not part of the tail section, the empennage.
,D. CORRECT. The tail section is known as the empennage.
E. Incorrect. The wings are not part of the empennage.
How would a high-density altitude affect the performance of a helicopter?
A. Performance would be good due to the high value of the air density.
B. Performance may improve or be decreased: the density altitude has to be corrected
for nonstandard temperature.
C. Engine performance would increase, but rotor performance would decrease.
D. Performance would be decreased due to low value of the air density.
E. Density altitude is not as important a factor in performance as temperature and
humidity. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect. High-density altitude indicates low-
density air, which is typically found at high altitudes and above standard temperatures.
B. Incorrect. Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature.
C. Incorrect. A high-density altitude would decrease both engine and rotor performance.
D. CORRECT. As air density decreases, engine power output, rotor efficiency, and
aerodynamic lift also decrease.
E. Incorrect. Temperature and humidity are factors in determining density altitude and
are therefore not more important to performance, although humidity is difficult to
calculate and is rarely included in performance calculations.
How would a pilot recognize the onset of transverse flow effect?
A. During takeoff, a vibration and a right rolling motion occurs as the aircraft accelerates
through 10 to 20 knots.
B. During takeoff, as the aircraft accelerates through 16 to 24 knots, the rotor becomes
more efficient as airspeed increases until reaching best-rate-of-climb airspeed.
C. The rate of descent cannot be arrested with increased collective pitch.
D. At high airspeed, increased vibration and buffeting with an eventual left roll and nose
pitching up.
E. A self-energizing oscillation of the fuselage occurs. - CORRECT ANSWERS-A.
CORRECT. Air entering the rotor system at the rear has a greater induced flow, causing
a reduced angle of attack, less lift, and unequal drag between the fore and aft portions
of the disk. The difference in angle of attack causes a right roll due to gyroscopic
procession, and a vibration results as the effect moves from front to rear.
B. Incorrect. This is a description of effective translational lift.
C. Incorrect. This is a symptom of settling with power.
D. Incorrect. This is a symptom of retreating blade stall.
, E. Incorrect. This is a symptom of ground resonance.
If magnetic north is a positive 15-degree variation (west) from true north, to convert true
north to magnetic north when flying eastbound, what is the adjustment a pilot must
make to the magnetic compass?
A. add 7.5 degrees
B. add 15 degrees
C. add 345 degrees
D. subtract 15 degrees
E. subtract 345 degrees - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect. Do not halve the degree
of variation.
B. CORRECT. "East is least, west is best." The adjustment is a 15-degree west
variation.
C. Incorrect. Do not take the difference from 360 degrees to determine variation.
D. Incorrect. "East is least, west is best." Subtract for an easterly variation, and add for
a westerly variation.
E. Incorrect. Do not take the difference from 360 degrees to determine variation.
If the airspeed indicator needle is in the yellow and approaching the red line during a
maneuver, what would be the correct response?
A. change attitude by 90 degrees
B. decrease altitude
C. decrease airspeed
D. increase airspeed
E. increase thrust - CORRECT ANSWERS-A. Incorrect. A change of heading would not
reduce airspeed.
B. Incorrect. Decreasing altitude will result in an initial higher airspeed.
C. CORRECT. Approaching the red line means the aircraft is reaching the maximum
airspeed for the aircraft.
D. Incorrect. Increasing airspeed will exceed the maximum airspeed of the aircraft.
E. Incorrect. Increasing thrust will increase airspeed to an excess level if all other forces
remain the same.
If there is no increase in thrust, which action would result in an ultimate stall?
