SIFT: Helicopter Aerodynamics Exam
Questions and Answers
Newton 1st Law of Motion - ANS-An object at rest will remain at rest and an object that
is in motion will remain in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an
unbalanced force.
Newton 2nd Law of Motion - ANS-When a body is acted upon by a constant force, its
resulting acceleration is inversely proportional to the mass of the body and directly
proportional to the applied force.
Newtons 3rd Law of Motion - ANS-For every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction.
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) - ANS-An aircrafts weight limit for takeoff.
Maximum Ramp Weight (MRW) - ANS-The weight limit for an aircraft to taxi or be towed
on the ground.
Angle of Attack - ANS-The acute angle between the direction of the relative wind and
the chord of an airfoil.
Parasite Drag - ANS-drag that does not contribute to lift generation; drag caused by
landing gear struts, cooling intakes, antennas, rivet heads, etc.
Profile Drag - ANS-Drag incurred from frictional or parasitic resistance of the blades
passing through the air. It does not change significantly with the angle of attack of the
airfoil section but it increases moderately as airspeed increases
Induced Drag - ANS-Generated by the airflow circulation around the wing as it creates
lift.
Lateral Axis (Pitch) - ANS-Imaginary reference line running parallel to the wings.
Elevators control this.
Longitudinal Axis (Roll) - ANS-From nose of the aircraft to tail. Ailerons control this.
Vertical Axis (yaw) - ANS-Imaginary reference line running from the top to the bottom of
the aircraft. Rudder controls this.
Questions and Answers
Newton 1st Law of Motion - ANS-An object at rest will remain at rest and an object that
is in motion will remain in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an
unbalanced force.
Newton 2nd Law of Motion - ANS-When a body is acted upon by a constant force, its
resulting acceleration is inversely proportional to the mass of the body and directly
proportional to the applied force.
Newtons 3rd Law of Motion - ANS-For every action, there is an equal and opposite
reaction.
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) - ANS-An aircrafts weight limit for takeoff.
Maximum Ramp Weight (MRW) - ANS-The weight limit for an aircraft to taxi or be towed
on the ground.
Angle of Attack - ANS-The acute angle between the direction of the relative wind and
the chord of an airfoil.
Parasite Drag - ANS-drag that does not contribute to lift generation; drag caused by
landing gear struts, cooling intakes, antennas, rivet heads, etc.
Profile Drag - ANS-Drag incurred from frictional or parasitic resistance of the blades
passing through the air. It does not change significantly with the angle of attack of the
airfoil section but it increases moderately as airspeed increases
Induced Drag - ANS-Generated by the airflow circulation around the wing as it creates
lift.
Lateral Axis (Pitch) - ANS-Imaginary reference line running parallel to the wings.
Elevators control this.
Longitudinal Axis (Roll) - ANS-From nose of the aircraft to tail. Ailerons control this.
Vertical Axis (yaw) - ANS-Imaginary reference line running from the top to the bottom of
the aircraft. Rudder controls this.
