Why do aircraft have leading edge devices?
Why do aircraft have leading edge devices?
There are 2 types of leading edge devices:
-Slats. Slats are movable surfaces on the leading edge of the wing which when deployed, allow the wing to operate at a higher angle of attack, by delaying separation in the wing upper surface.
-Leading edge flaps (Krueger). Leading edge flaps are hinged on the leading edge of the wing and extend forward and down when deployed. they provide similar benefits as trailing edge flaps, by increasing wing surface area and camber.
Why do we measure speed as a Mach number?
Why do we measure speed as a Mach number?
Mach number describes the speed of sound, which changes with the density of the medium it is travelling through.
When you reach the speed of sound, the compressibility effect creates a supersonic flow along the wing if you exceed a certain mach number.
This causes airflow separation and flutter.
It is therefore much safer and much easier to use a Mach number to express a limit at which compressibility effects start to tear the aircraft apart, as it is a constant value at all altitudes.
Some wings, flaps and rudders are indented, why?
Some wings, flaps and rudders are indented, why?
To increase the strength of the surfaces.
The same strategy is employed by plastic water bottles, by adding ridges to a surface you increase it's structural rigidity
What does the abbreviation MSA mean?
What does the abbreviation MSA mean?
Minimum Safe Altitude.
Why would someone fly a Rhumb Line track?
Why would someone fly a Rhumb Line track?
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If no IRS/INS/GPS was available, it’s easier to fly a constant heading (but you will need to apply variation).
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If flying over short distances (as done during your training) the error introduced by flying a rhumb line is insi
Which flight will take the shortest time, from London to New York or New York to London?
Which flight will take the shortest time, from London to New York or New York to London?
New York to London (flying east) would take less time because of the Polar front westerly jet stream.
What is the critical angle of attack?
What is the critical angle of attack?
The angle between the chordline and the incoming airflow.
Explain what coffin corner is and what happens when reaching the coffin corner?
Explain what coffin corner is and what happens when reaching the coffin corner?
Occurs at absolute ceiling where low speed buffet and high speed (Mach) buffet are coincident.
When reaching the coffin corner, both increasing and decreasing the corner speed will result in a loss of control (either the aircraft stalls, or mach buffeting starts).
You need to uplift four tonnes of fuel, how many litres would you ask for if the SG is 0.8?
You need to uplift four tonnes of fuel, how many litres would you ask for if the SG is 0.8?
5000 litres
(4 tonnes / 0.8 = 5000 litters)
Which way do jet streams travel?
Which way do jet streams travel?
From West to East
East to West (In Africa during the summer)