MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT) AVIATION
KNOWLEDGE EXAM 2025 WITH 140 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Describe the primary purpose of the NASA Pathfinder and how it
compares to the Centurion.
The NASA Pathfinder is a military aircraft designed for combat, with
a wingspan of 206 feet.
The NASA Pathfinder is a high altitude, solar-powered research
airplane designed for long-duration flights, and it is smaller than
the Centurion, with a wingspan of 120 feet compared to the
Centurion's 206 feet.
The NASA Pathfinder is a commercial airplane designed for
passenger transport, with a wingspan of 150 feet.
The NASA Pathfinder is a drone used for surveillance, with a
wingspan of 180 feet.
2. What is the primary function of the C-17 Globemaster III?
Medical evacuation
Cargo transport
Passenger transport
Reconnaissance
3. During a stall, the wing
stops generating lift during level flight.
cannot generate adequate lift to sustain level flight.
has a slow decrease in lift as a result of excessive pitch attitude.
4. Reciprocating engines are classified as a
spark ignition engines or compression ignition engines
, spark ignition engines
heat engines
compression ignition engines
5. In the design of a new supersonic aircraft, how might the inclusion of a
stabilator impact its flight performance?
It will limit the aircraft's speed capabilities.
It will require a larger wingspan for stability.
It may improve maneuverability and control at high speeds.
It will decrease the aircraft's overall weight significantly.
6. Describe the significance of the UH-1 Iroquois in the context of military
aviation history.
The UH-1 Iroquois was the first helicopter to be used in World War
II.
The UH-1 Iroquois was the first turbine-powered helicopter to
enter production for the United States military, marking a
significant advancement in military aviation.
The UH-1 Iroquois was developed for commercial aviation and
never served in the military.
The UH-1 Iroquois was primarily used for combat missions and had
no medical evacuation capabilities.
7. If a spacecraft needs to rotate 90 degrees to align with a docking station,
which system would be primarily utilized to achieve this maneuver?
Landing gear
Main propulsion engines
Reaction control rockets
Solar panels
,8. Describe how the exhaust from a rocket engine contributes to its forward
motion.
The exhaust creates a vacuum that pulls the rocket forward.
The exhaust is recycled to increase fuel efficiency.
The exhaust cools the engine, allowing for better performance.
The exhaust from the explosion of fuel and oxidizer moves out
the back of the rocket, propelling it forward.
9. Describe the significance of solar power in the design of the Pathfinder
aircraft.
Solar power increases the aircraft's speed significantly.
Solar power is a backup system for jet fuel.
Solar power is used only for auxiliary systems in the aircraft.
Solar power allows the Pathfinder aircraft to operate without
traditional fuel, promoting sustainability in aviation.
10. The function of the winglets is to...
Increase drag
Reduce drag and wake vortex
Generate lift
11. Describe the significance of the Landside/Airside design at Tampa
International Airport.
The design prioritizes cargo operations over passenger services.
The design focuses on maximizing the number of gates available
for aircraft.
The design emphasizes the aesthetic appeal of the airport's
architecture.
, The Landside/Airside design allows for efficient passenger
movement between the central terminal and satellite air
terminals using people movers.
12. Describe how the Turbo Raven's engine contributed to its performance
compared to typical aerobatic planes.
The Turbo Raven's engine was lighter than typical engines, which
improved its speed.
The Turbo Raven's engine was designed for fuel efficiency,
making it more economical than other planes.
The Turbo Raven's engine had a unique design that reduced drag,
enhancing its performance.
The Turbo Raven's turboprop engine produced 750 horsepower,
significantly more than the 200-300 horsepower of typical
aerobatic planes, allowing it to climb straight up effortlessly.
13. Describe how reaction control rockets contribute to the maneuverability
of a spacecraft.
Reaction control rockets are primarily used for landing the
spacecraft on planetary surfaces.
Reaction control rockets allow a spacecraft to change its
orientation and position in space by providing thrust in various
directions.
Reaction control rockets are used solely for launching the
spacecraft into orbit.
Reaction control rockets stabilize the spacecraft by preventing it
from spinning.
14. How is the Venturi effect related to fluid dynamics?
It governs the behavior of real gases
It describes the conservation of linear momentum
KNOWLEDGE EXAM 2025 WITH 140 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Describe the primary purpose of the NASA Pathfinder and how it
compares to the Centurion.
The NASA Pathfinder is a military aircraft designed for combat, with
a wingspan of 206 feet.
The NASA Pathfinder is a high altitude, solar-powered research
airplane designed for long-duration flights, and it is smaller than
the Centurion, with a wingspan of 120 feet compared to the
Centurion's 206 feet.
The NASA Pathfinder is a commercial airplane designed for
passenger transport, with a wingspan of 150 feet.
The NASA Pathfinder is a drone used for surveillance, with a
wingspan of 180 feet.
2. What is the primary function of the C-17 Globemaster III?
Medical evacuation
Cargo transport
Passenger transport
Reconnaissance
3. During a stall, the wing
stops generating lift during level flight.
cannot generate adequate lift to sustain level flight.
has a slow decrease in lift as a result of excessive pitch attitude.
4. Reciprocating engines are classified as a
spark ignition engines or compression ignition engines
, spark ignition engines
heat engines
compression ignition engines
5. In the design of a new supersonic aircraft, how might the inclusion of a
stabilator impact its flight performance?
It will limit the aircraft's speed capabilities.
It will require a larger wingspan for stability.
It may improve maneuverability and control at high speeds.
It will decrease the aircraft's overall weight significantly.
6. Describe the significance of the UH-1 Iroquois in the context of military
aviation history.
The UH-1 Iroquois was the first helicopter to be used in World War
II.
The UH-1 Iroquois was the first turbine-powered helicopter to
enter production for the United States military, marking a
significant advancement in military aviation.
The UH-1 Iroquois was developed for commercial aviation and
never served in the military.
The UH-1 Iroquois was primarily used for combat missions and had
no medical evacuation capabilities.
7. If a spacecraft needs to rotate 90 degrees to align with a docking station,
which system would be primarily utilized to achieve this maneuver?
Landing gear
Main propulsion engines
Reaction control rockets
Solar panels
,8. Describe how the exhaust from a rocket engine contributes to its forward
motion.
The exhaust creates a vacuum that pulls the rocket forward.
The exhaust is recycled to increase fuel efficiency.
The exhaust cools the engine, allowing for better performance.
The exhaust from the explosion of fuel and oxidizer moves out
the back of the rocket, propelling it forward.
9. Describe the significance of solar power in the design of the Pathfinder
aircraft.
Solar power increases the aircraft's speed significantly.
Solar power is a backup system for jet fuel.
Solar power is used only for auxiliary systems in the aircraft.
Solar power allows the Pathfinder aircraft to operate without
traditional fuel, promoting sustainability in aviation.
10. The function of the winglets is to...
Increase drag
Reduce drag and wake vortex
Generate lift
11. Describe the significance of the Landside/Airside design at Tampa
International Airport.
The design prioritizes cargo operations over passenger services.
The design focuses on maximizing the number of gates available
for aircraft.
The design emphasizes the aesthetic appeal of the airport's
architecture.
, The Landside/Airside design allows for efficient passenger
movement between the central terminal and satellite air
terminals using people movers.
12. Describe how the Turbo Raven's engine contributed to its performance
compared to typical aerobatic planes.
The Turbo Raven's engine was lighter than typical engines, which
improved its speed.
The Turbo Raven's engine was designed for fuel efficiency,
making it more economical than other planes.
The Turbo Raven's engine had a unique design that reduced drag,
enhancing its performance.
The Turbo Raven's turboprop engine produced 750 horsepower,
significantly more than the 200-300 horsepower of typical
aerobatic planes, allowing it to climb straight up effortlessly.
13. Describe how reaction control rockets contribute to the maneuverability
of a spacecraft.
Reaction control rockets are primarily used for landing the
spacecraft on planetary surfaces.
Reaction control rockets allow a spacecraft to change its
orientation and position in space by providing thrust in various
directions.
Reaction control rockets are used solely for launching the
spacecraft into orbit.
Reaction control rockets stabilize the spacecraft by preventing it
from spinning.
14. How is the Venturi effect related to fluid dynamics?
It governs the behavior of real gases
It describes the conservation of linear momentum
