and CORRECT Answers
Manufacturer's Empty Weight (MEW) - CORRECT ANSWER - the total weight of the
aircraft as it was built. Includes systems and components required for the aircraft to operate.
Does NOT include the weight of the baggage, passengers, or either usable or unusable fuel or
fluid.
Operating Empty Weight (OEW) - CORRECT ANSWER - the MEW plus the weight of
the crew, fluids, unusable fuel, and the equipment required for flight. Does NOT include
baggage, passengers, or usable fuel.
All-Up Weight (AUW) or Aircraft Gross Weight (AGW) - CORRECT ANSWER - the
total aircraft weight at any given moment during a flight. The AUW decreases as fuel and fluids
are consumed during the operation of the flight.
Maximum Landing Weight (MLW) - CORRECT ANSWER - an aircraft's weight limit for
landing. Exceeding this weight increases stress on the landing gear and may affect the distance
required for a safe landing
Maximum Zero Fuel Weight (MZFW) - CORRECT ANSWER - the permissible weight of
an aircraft with its contents and includes unusable fuel. The total MZFW excludes the weight of
usable fuel on board and any consumable fluids
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) - CORRECT ANSWER - an aircraft's weight limit for
takeoff. Exceeding this limit increases the power required for takeoff, lengthens the runway
distance needed for a successful lift off, and places excess stress on the aircraft structure
Maximum Ramp Weight (MRW) - CORRECT ANSWER - the weight limit for an aircraft
to taxi or be towed on the ground
Flight Envelope - CORRECT ANSWER - Encompasses the limits of speed, altitude, and
angle of attack required by any aircraft to maintain a stable flight. An incorrect combination of
,these may result in a stall, during which the aircraft experiences a decrease in lift and a reduction
in airspeed
Angle of Attack (AOA) - CORRECT ANSWER - the angle measured between the
direction of airflow against the wing and the chord (an imaginary reference line the extends from
the leading edge to the trailing edge of the wing
Ailerons - CORRECT ANSWER - Located on from the midpoint of the trailing edge of the
wing to the wing's tip. Help with roll control
Flaps - CORRECT ANSWER - located on the trailing edge of the wing; increase wing's
surface area and deflect the air flow downward. Allow planes to lift at slower speeds.
Spoilers - CORRECT ANSWER - Located directly forward of the trailing edge flaps to
assist the ailerons in roll control and to act as speed brakes for descent and landing. Extend
upward to help reduce airspeed (ex: raised when landing to help assist brakes in slowing airplane
down)
Drag - CORRECT ANSWER - air resistance experienced during flight
Parasite Drag - CORRECT ANSWER - any "parasite" on the structure of the aircraft: low
air pressure in the tires, skin friction (any rough spot on the skin of the aircraft structure) This,
along with any rivet heads that may project above the skin, causes resistance to the air current
flowing across the wing.
Profile Drag - CORRECT ANSWER - Produced mainly by the shape of the aircraft. A
smaller slimmer aircraft reduces profile drag.
Induced Drag - CORRECT ANSWER - When, at the back of the wing, air flowing rapidly
across the top meets air flowing more slowly underneath, creating a vortex. This type of drag
depends on the performance of the aircraft. When lift, airspeed, and AOA increase, induced drag
automatically increases too.
,When an airplane increases its lift, which statement is true about the air pressure flowing above
and below its wings? - CORRECT ANSWER - Air pressure is lower above the wings and
higher below the wings, producing lift.
Bernoulli's Principle - CORRECT ANSWER - As the speed of a fluid increases, its
pressure decreases. Air flows faster over the top of the wing leading to lower pressure. Air flows
slower on the bottom of the wing, increasing pressure. Upward push creates lift!
Longitudinal Axis (Roll) - CORRECT ANSWER - runs lengthwise from the nose to the
tail
Lateral Axis (Pitch) - CORRECT ANSWER - runs wingtip to wingtip
Vertical Axis (Yaw) - CORRECT ANSWER - Runs perpendicular to the wings at the
center of the aircraft
Trim - CORRECT ANSWER - Aircraft's desired position.
Roll - CORRECT ANSWER - along the aircraft's longitudinal axis; controlled by ailerons,
located at trailing edge of the wings.
Pitch - CORRECT ANSWER - the lateral angle of ascent or descent; controlled by
elevators, located in the rear portion of the horizontal tail assebly
Yaw - CORRECT ANSWER - Controlled by the rudder, located in the rear part of the tail
assembly; movement of the rudder causes the nose to move from side to side.
Pressure Altimeter - CORRECT ANSWER - in the cockpit based on atmospheric pressure.
Calibrated automatically for 29.92 of mercury (Hg). Pilot resets the pressure altitudeindicator
after departing an airfieldto ensure the correct pressure altitude of the aircraft is displayed for the
destinatin airfield
, Aircraft perform more efficiently in what weather? - CORRECT ANSWER - Colder
wether because the air is denser than warm air. (Except if air drops too low and de-icing is
necessary) [high air density increases engine performance]
Fuselage - CORRECT ANSWER - the main body of an aircraft that holds the crew,
passengers, and cargo. Wings, tail, engines, and landing gear attach to the fuselage, so it must be
extremely strong to withstand stresses while minimizing weight. Also helps stabilize plane in
flight
Truss Struture - CORRECT ANSWER - Consists of welded steel-tubing longerons
separated by diagonal members to endure the loads placed upon the aircraft
Monocoque Structure - CORRECT ANSWER - consists of a thin sheet-aluminum alloy
curved to fit the shell of the fuselage. This metal skin is designed to withstand the stress of loads
and minimize the total weight the total weight of the aircraft.
Monocoque Structure - CORRECT ANSWER - consists of a thin sheet-aluminum alloy
curved to fit the shell of the fuselage. This metal skin is designed to withstand the stress of loads
and minimize the total weight the total weight of the aircraft.
Semi-Cantilever Wing - CORRECT ANSWER - requires both internal bracing and
external support from struts attached to the fuselage
Biplane - CORRECT ANSWER - an airplane with two pairs of wings
Thickness - CORRECT ANSWER - a percentage of the wing chord; typically ranges from
6.5 to 13.5 percent
Camber Line - CORRECT ANSWER - amount of curvature of the wing. Imaginary line
runs halfway between upper and lower surfaces of the wing.