PATTS College of Aeronautics

Applied Subsonic Aerodynamics

Mock Exam

Name:_____________________________________ School:_____________________________________

Date:__________________________________ Score:__________________

Multiple Choices. Shade the circle corresponding to the letter of the best answer.

1. It is the ratio between the span and the chord of the wing.
⃝ A. Taper Ratio ⃝ C. MAC
⃝ B. Aspect Ratio ⃝ D. Root Chord

2. A line connecting the leading and trailing edge midway between the upper and lower
surface of an airfoil is .
⃝ A. Mean Aerodynamic Chord ⃝ C. Upper Camber Line
⃝ B. Mean Camber Line ⃝ D. Chord Line

3. The induced drag coefficient, CDi is proportional with:

⃝ A. CL (maximum) ⃝ C. CL
⃝ B. CL2 ⃝ D. √ C L

4. The induced angle of attack is the result of:

⃝ A. Downwash due to tip vortices ⃝ C. Laminar Flow

⃝ B. A large local angle of attack in two dimensional flow ⃝ D. Change in Density

5. The angle between the airplane longitudinal axis and the chord line is the:
⃝ A. Angle of Incidence ⃝ C. Angle of Attack
⃝ B. Glide Path Angle ⃝ D. Climb Path Angle

6. The value of the induced drag of an airplane in straight and level flight at constant weight varies linearly
with:
⃝ A. V2 ⃝ C. 1 / V
2
⃝ B. 1 / V ⃝ D. V

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7. Excluding constants, the coefficient of induced drag is the ratio of:
⃝ A. CL2 and Aspect Ratio ⃝ C. CL and Wing Span
⃝ B. CL and CD ⃝ D. Weight and Wing Area

8. The terms “ q ” and “S” in the lift formula are:

⃝ A. Static Pressure and Dynamic Pressure
⃝ B. Square root of surface and wing loading
⃝ C. dynamic pressure and Wing Area
⃝ D. Static pressure and Wing Area

9. Which of the following wing plan forms produces the lowest induced drag? (All other relevant factors are
constant)
⃝ A. Circular ⃝ C. Elliptical
⃝ B. Rectangular ⃝ D. Tapered

10. The interference drag is created as a result of

⃝ A. The addition of induced and parasite drag
⃝ B. Downwash behind the wing
⃝ C. Interaction between airplane parts
⃝ D. Separation of the induced vortex

11. Increasing dynamic pressure will have the following effect on the drag of an airplane (all other important
factors are constant):
⃝ A. This has no effect ⃝ C. The drag increases
⃝ B. The drag decreases ⃝ D. The drag is only affected by the ground
speed

12. A body is placed in a certain airstream. The density of the airstream decreases to half of the original value.
The aerodynamic drag will decrease with a factor of
⃝ A. 8 ⃝ C. 2
⃝ B. 1.4 ⃝ D. 4

13. A body is placed in a certain airstream. The airstream velocity increases by a factor of 4. The aerodynamic
drag will increase with a factor of .
⃝ A. 12 ⃝ C. 16
⃝ B. 4 ⃝ D. 8

14. Which of the following will reduce induced drag?

⃝ A. Extending the Flaps ⃝ C. Elliptical Lift Distribution
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 ⃝ B. High Aspect Ratio ⃝ D. Flying at high angle of attack
15. Sweepback of a wing contribute to longitudinal stability, wing dihedrals contribute to
⃝ A. Lateral stability ⃝ C. Vertical stability
⃝ B. Dynamic stability ⃝ D. Neutral stability

16. A straight, tapered wing with a span of 38 ft has leading edge and trailing edge sweep angles of 43° and
18° respectively. Determine the taper ratio.
⃝ A. 0.268 ⃝ C. 0.252
⃝ B. 0.348 ⃝ D. 0.336

17. Given is an airplane wing with a rectangular planform, an aspect ratio of 5, a span of 10 meters, and a
NACA 23015 airfoil section. Find the wing area in square meters.
⃝ A. 25 m2 ⃝ C. 20 m2
⃝ B. 24 m2 ⃝ D. 16 m2

18. Given is an airplane wing with a rectangular planform, an aspect ratio of 5, a span of 10 meters, and a
NACA 4418 airfoil section. Determine the maximum thickness of the airfoil in centimeters.
⃝ A. 36 cm ⃝ C. 40 cm
⃝ B. 30 cm ⃝ D. 18 cm

19. An airfoil with aspect ratio of 6 at an angle of attack of 7° has lift coefficient and drag coefficient of 0.940
and 0.062 respectively. Find the angle of attack and drag coefficient corresponding to lift coefficient of
0.940 for the same airfoil with aspect ratio of 7.5. Assume elliptical lift distribution.
⃝ A. 7.23 deg. , 0.053 ⃝ C. 6.43 deg. , 0.042
⃝ B. 5.37 deg. , 0.042 ⃝ D. 6.43 deg. , 0.053

20. A light plane has a gross weight of 1,200 lbs. It has a wing span of 30 feet and an aspect ratio of 6. It uses
a Clark Y airfoil with a maximum lift coefficient of 1.56. Compute the stalling speed in miles per hour at sea
level conditions.
⃝ A. 49.93 mph ⃝ C. 44.79 mph
⃝ B. 50.65 mph ⃝ D. 56.32 mph

21. What is the effect of high aspect ratio of an airplane's wing on induced power required?
⃝ A. It is reduced because the effect of wing-tip vortices is reduced.
⃝ B. It is increased because high aspect ratio has greater frontal area.
⃝ C. It is unaffected because there is no relation between aspect ratio and induced drag.
⃝ D. It is increased because high aspect ratio produces greater downwash.

22. The term angle of attack in a two dimensional flow is defined as:
⃝ A. the angle formed by the longitudinal axis of the airplane and the chord line of the wing.
⃝ B. the angle for maximum lift/drag ratio.
⃝ C. the angle between the wing chord line and the direction of the relative wind/airflow.
⃝ D. the angle between the airplane climb path and the horizon.

23. Which statement is correct at the speed for minimum drag (subsonic)?
⃝ A. Induced drag is greater than the parasite drag.
⃝ B. Propeller airplanes fly at that speed at minimum sinking speed.
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 ⃝ C. The gliding angle is minimum.
⃝ D. The CL/CD ratio is minimum.

24. At higher altitudes, the stall speed :

⃝ A. increases
⃝ B. decreases
⃝ C. remains the same
⃝ D. decreases until the tropopause

25. When an aircraft stalls,

⃝ A. lift decreases and drag increases.
⃝ B. lift and drag increase.
⃝ C. lift and drag decrease.
⃝ D. lift increases and drag decreases.

26. The aircraft stalling speed will

⃝ A. increase with an increase in weight.
⃝ B. decrease with an increase in weight.
⃝ C. increase with a decrease in weight.
⃝ D. be affected by aircraft weight changes since it is dependent upon the angle of attack.

27. The lift/drag ratio is obtained:

⃝ A. By dividing CL by the CD
⃝ B. By dividing the CD by the CL.
⃝ C. By dividing the angle of attack by the C L.
⃝ D. By dividing the angle of attack by the C D.

28. With zero wind, the angle of attack for minimum drag for an airplane is that:
⃝ A. the total drag equals one-third of induced drag.
⃝ B. the total drag equals to twice the induced drag.
⃝ C. the total drag equals four times the induced drag.
⃝ D. the total drag is one-half the induced drag.

29. The polar curve of an airfoil is a graphic relation between:

⃝ A. TAS and stall speed
⃝ B. Angle of attack and CL
⃝ C. CD and angle of attack
⃝ D. CL and CD

30. The value of the parasite drag in straight and level flight at constant weight varies linearly with:
2
⃝ A. V
⃝ B. V
⃝ C. α
2
⃝ D.α

31. The lift- and drag forces, acting on a wing cross section:
⃝ A. depend on the pressure distribution about the wing cross section.
⃝ B. are normal to each other at just one angle of attack.
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 ⃝ C. are proportional to each other, independent of angle of attack.
⃝ D. vary linearly with the angle of attack.

32. Comparing the lift coefficient and drag coefficient at normal angle of attack:
⃝ A. CL is much lower than CD
⃝ B. CL is much greater than CD
⃝ C. CL has approximately the same value as C D
⃝ D. CL is lower than CD

33. High Aspect Ratio, as compared with low Aspect Ratio, has the effect of :
⃝ A. Decreasing induced drag and critical angle of attack
⃝ B. Increasing lift and critical angle of attack
⃝ C. Increasing lift and drag
⃝ D. Increasing induced drag and decreasing critical angle of attack

34. The induced drag

⃝ A. increases as the aspect ratio increases.
⃝ B. has no relation to the lift coefficient.
⃝ C. increases as the magnitude of the tip vortices decreases.
⃝ D. increases as the lift coefficient increases.

35. Which of the following is not one of the types of parasite drag?
⃝ A. Induced drag.
⃝ B. Form drag.
⃝ C. Interference drag.
⃝ D. Skin friction.

36. The drag polar equation of an advanced light twin airplane in clean configuration can be written as:
CD = 0.0358 + 0.0405CL2
For minimum power required, determine the induced drag coefficient.
⃝ A. 0.1074
⃝ B. 0.0358
⃝ C. 0.0405
⃝ D. 0.0119

37. The drag polar equation of an airplane is given by the relation:

CD = 0.025 + 0.0406 CL2

If the gross weight of this airplane is 18,000 N, determine its minimum drag.
⃝ A. 1074 N
⃝ B. 1,503 N
⃝ C. 2,351 N
⃝ D. 1,147 N

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38. The drag polar equation of an advanced light twin airplane in clean configuration can be written as:

2
CD= 0.0358 + 0.0405CL
Its weight is 18,680 N and the wing area is 14.4 m 2. Calculate by analytical method its minimum drag speed.
Assume standard sea-level conditions.
⃝ A. 36.36 m/sec
⃝ B. 50.16 m/sec
⃝ C. 47.46 m/sec
⃝ D. 41.73 m/sec

39. A glider weighs 3,550 N and has a wing loading of 574 N/m 2. Its drag equation is:
CD = 0.011 + 0.022CL2
After being launched at 450 m in still air, find the greatest distance it can cover in steady glide.
⃝ A. 16,324 m
⃝ B. 15,656 m
⃝ C. 14,464 m
⃝ D. 13,356 m

40. During climb with all engines, the altitude where the rate of climb reduces to 100 ft/min is called:
⃝ A. Thrust ceiling
⃝ B. Maximum transfer ceiling
⃝ C. Service ceiling
⃝ D. Absolute ceiling

41. The induced angle of attack, is proportional with

⃝ A. CLmax
⃝ B. CL²
⃝ C. CL
⃝ D. square root of CL

42. How do the speeds for best angle of climb and best rate of climb vary with increasing altitude?
⃝ A. Both decrease.
⃝ B. Both increase.
⃝ C. Speed for best angle of climb increases while the speed for best rate of climb decreases.
⃝ D. Speed for best angle of climb decreases while the speed for best rate of climb increases.

43. At higher altitudes, the maximum speed

⃝ A. increases.
⃝ B. decreases.
⃝ C. remains the same.
⃝ D. increases until the service ceiling.

44. As the altitude increases, the rate of climb ________________________________

⃝ A. increases.

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 ⃝ B. decreases.
⃝ C. remains the same.
⃝ D. decreases only up to the service ceiling.

45. If the ratios of rate of climb and flight speed is maximum, _________________________
⃝ A. the rate of climb is maximum.
⃝ B. the flight speed is maximum.
⃝ C. the climb angle is best.
⃝ D. the glide angle is minimum.

46. If the power available is assumed to be independent of flight speed, the maximum rate of climb occurs when
⃝ A. the excess power remains constant.
⃝ B. the excess power is minimum.
⃝ C. the power required is maximum.
⃝ D. the power required is minimum.

47. In steady, level and unaccelerated flight, _________________________

⃝ A. the flight speed equals thrust
⃝ B. the lift equals drag.
⃝ C. the drag equals weight.
⃝ D. the rate of climb equals zero.

48. At higher altitudes, _____________________

⃝ A. the power available increases.
⃝ B. the power available decreases.
⃝ C. the power available remains the same.
⃝ D. both the power available and power required decrease.

49. The power available is obtained by :

⃝ A. multiplying the drag by the airspeed.
⃝ B. dividing the drag by the airspeed
⃝ C. multiplying the brake horsepower by the propeller efficiency
⃝ D. dividing the brake horsepower by the propeller efficiency

50. The drag polar equation of an airplane is given by the relation:

2
CD = 0.025 + 0.046 CL
The lift coefficient for best range is ________.
⃝ A. 0.727 ⃝ C. 0.777
⃝ B. 0.737 ⃝ D. 0.747

51. The drag polar equation of an advanced light twin airplane in clean configuration can be written as:
CD = 0.0358 + 0.0405CL2
For best endurance, the induced drag coefficient is __________.
⃝ A. 0.0358 ⃝ C. 0.1074
⃝ B. 0.0405 ⃝ D. 0.0716

52. The maximum value which is located at the point of tangency between the drag polar and the line drawn from its
point of origin is the _________________.
⃝ A. moment coefficient ⃝ C. lift coefficient

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 ⃝ B. drag coefficient ⃝ D. lift to drag ratio.

53. When the power available and power required each plotted as function of the flight speed shows maximum excess
power at a certain point, which of the following is maximum?
⃝ A. Flight speed. ⃝ C. Power available.
⃝ B. Rate of climb ⃝ D. Power required.

54. For the airplane to stay aloft the longest time, the aerodynamic efficiency of airfoils should be kept at a condition
where the _________________________________.
⃝ A. parasite drag coefficient equals induced drag coefficient.
⃝ B. parasite drag coefficient is one third of induced drag coefficient.
⃝ C. parasite drag coefficient is twice the induced drag coefficient
⃝ D. parasite drag coefficient is three times the induced drag coefficient.

55. The speed for best rate of climb is called __________

⃝ A. VO. ⃝ C. VY
⃝ B. VX. ⃝ D. V2.

56. How does the best angle of climb and best rate of climb vary with increasing altitude?
⃝ A. Both decrease.
⃝ B. Both increase.
⃝ C. Best angle of climb increases while best rate of climb decreases.
⃝ D. Best angle of climb decreases while best rate of climb increases.

57. If an airplane flies in the ground effect ____________________________________.

⃝ A. the lift is increased and the drag is decreased.
⃝ B. the effective angle of attack is decreased.
⃝ C. the induced angle of attack is increased.
⃝ D. the drag and lift are reduced.

58. If the aircraft is operated in steady flight at maximum lift/drag ratio, the total drag is:
⃝ A. minimum.
⃝ B. maximum.
⃝ C. below maximum.
⃝ D. above minimum.

C
L3
C 2
59. If the aircraft is operated in steady gliding flight at maximum D , the sinking speed is:
⃝ A. minimum.
⃝ B. maximum.
⃝ C. below maximum.
⃝ D. above minimum.

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60. An airplane has a lift-drag relation of CD = 0.015 + 0.060CL , weight is 20,000 lb, wing area is 200 square ft. If this
airplane is propeller-driven, what is the corresponding speed (in feet per second) for best endurance at 10,000 ft
altitude?
⃝ A. 499 fps
⃝ B. 363 fps
⃝ C. 264 fps
⃝ D. 327 fps

61. At sea level, a propeller-driven airplane has a rate of climb of 650 ft per minute. Its service ceiling is 12,000 ft. What
is the time to climb (in minutes) to reach an altitude of 8,500 ft?
⃝ A. 19.96 minutes
⃝ B. 17.16 minutes
⃝ C. 21.34 minutes
⃝ D. 18.33 minutes

62. An airplane whose absolute ceiling is 14,200 ft. climbs at 650 feet per minute at sea level. How long will it take to
climb (in minutes) from sea level to service ceiling?
⃝ A. 40.89 minutes
⃝ B. 45.30 minutes
⃝ C. 38.54 minutes
⃝ D. 36.33 minutes

63. A 5,000 lb airplane with wing area of 250 sq. ft and power available of 450 hp is at sea level flight standard condition.
2
The airplane drag-to-lift relation is close to C D = 0.025 + 0.048 CL . What is the rate of climb (in feet per minute) at a
flight speed of 180 miles per hour?
⃝ A. 1,632 fpm
⃝ B. 1,356 fpm
⃝ C. 1,245 fpm
⃝ D. 1,143 fpm should be 1743

64. An airplane is making a 40o banked of 565 ft radius. What should be the airspeed?
⃝ A. 132. 32 fps
⃝ B. 128.17 fps
⃝ C. 125. 16 fps
⃝ D. 123.50 fps

65. Airplane is making a turn of 300 ft radius at a speed of 240 mph. What is the load factor?
⃝ A. 11.33
⃝ B. 10.42
⃝ C. 9.46
⃝ D. 12.88

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Key to Corrections:

1. A
2. A
3. B
4. A
5. A
6. B
7. A
8. C
9. C
10. C
11. C
12. C
13. C
14. B
15. A
16. B
17. C
18. A
19. D
20. C
21. A
22. C
23. D
24. A
25. A
26. A
27. A
28. B
29. D
30. A
31. B
32. B
33. A
34. D
35. A
36. A
37. D
38. C
39. C
40. C
41. C
42. B
43. B
44. B
45. C
46. D
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47. D
48. B
49. C
50. B
51. C
52. D
53. B
54. B
55. C
56. A
57. A
58. A
59. A
60. B
61. A
62. A
63. D
64. D
65. D

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