Outcome 1: Apply the theory of flight to aircraft avionics maintenance

operations
1.1 Describe the operation and effect of high lift and drag-inducing devices including
slots, slats, flaps and spoilers, lift dumpers, speed brakes.
High lift and drag-inducing devices are used to alter the lift and drag characteristics of an aircraft's
wings.
Slots are openings in the leading edge of the wing that allow air to flow through and over the wing,
increasing lift at low speeds.
Slats are hinged surfaces attached to the leading edge of the wing that can be extended to change
the shape of the wing and increase lift.
Flaps are hinged surfaces attached to the trailing edge of the wing that can be extended to
increase the camber of the wing and increase lift.
Spoilers are retractable surfaces on the top of the wing that can be extended to disrupt the
smooth flow of air over the wing and reduce lift.
Lift dumpers are mechanical devices used to quickly reduce lift in emergency situations. Speed
brakes are retractable surfaces used to increase drag and help slow down the aircraft.

1.2 Describe boundary layer control.

Boundary layer control is a technique used to improve the lift and drag characteristics of an
aircraft's wing. The boundary layer is a thin layer of air that clings to the surface of the wing as the
aircraft moves through the air. At low speeds, the boundary layer can become thick and turbulent,
which reduces the lift generated by the wing. Boundary layer control helps to keep the boundary
layer thin and smooth, which improves the lift generated by the wing.
There are several methods of boundary layer control, including:
Leading edge devices: These are physical devices, such as slats or slots, that are attached to the
leading edge of the wing. When extended, these devices help to keep the boundary layer thin.

1.3 Define commonly used rotary wing aerodynamics terminologies

Here are some commonly used rotary wing aerodynamics terms:
1. Blade pitch: The angle of the rotor blade relative to the plane of rotation. Blade pitch can be
adjusted to control the lift generated by the rotor.
2. Collective pitch: A control that adjusts the blade pitch of all the blades on a helicopter's rotor
at the same time. Collective pitch is used to control the lift generated by the rotor.
3. Cyclic pitch: A control that adjusts the blade pitch of each blade on a helicopter's rotor
independently. Cyclic pitch is used to control the direction of the lift generated by the rotor.

1.4 Describe the operation and effect of trim and balance devices including trim tabs,
servo tabs and control surface bias
Trim tabs are small, adjustable surfaces attached to main control surfaces such as ailerons or
rudder. They help the pilot maintain a desired flight attitude or condition with minimal input.
Servo tabs are similar to trim tabs but use a mechanical linkage to the control surface to reduce
the force needed to move it. Control surface bias refers to the balance of control surface
deflection between the left and right sides of an aircraft.

1.5 Describe the operation and effect of cyclic, collective and anti-torque controls
Cyclic, collective, and anti-torque controls are used to control the flight of a helicopter. The cyclic
control is a joystick that is used to tilt the rotor disc in a desired direction, causing the helicopter
to move in that direction. The collective control is a lever that is used to adjust the blade pitch of
all the rotor blades at the same time, which controls the amount of lift generated by the rotor. The
anti-torque control is used to counter the torque effect of the main rotor, which tends to cause
the helicopter to rotate in the opposite direction of the rotor's rotation. The anti-torque control is
typically a foot pedal that controls the pitch of the tail rotor blades, which generates thrust to
counter the torque of the main rotor.
1.6 Explain terms relating to high speed flight including speed of sound, subsonic flight,
transonic flight, supersonic flight
The speed of sound is the speed at which sound waves travel through a particular medium, such as
air. And is approximately 761 mph at sea level at STD.
Subsonic flight refers to flight speeds that are slower than the speed of sound.
Transonic flight refers to flight speeds that are near the speed of sound.
Supersonic flight refers to flight speeds that are faster than the speed of sound.

1.7 Analyse the operation and effect of primary flying controls in all three axes including:
Roll control encompassing ailerons and spoilers, Pitch control encompassing elevators,
stabilators, variable incidence stabilisers and canards,Yaw control encompassing rudder
limiters.
Primary flying controls are the main control surfaces on an aircraft
In the long axis, ailerons and spoilers are used to control the roll. Spoilers are retractable surfaces
on the top of the wings that can be extended to disrupt the smooth flow of air over the wings and
reduce lift. This can be used to help roll the aircraft.
In the pitch axis, elevators, stabilators, variable incidence stabilizers, and canards are used to
control the pitch, or rotation around the lateral axis of the aircraft. Elevators are hinged surfaces
on the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer that move in opposite directions to one another.
When one elevator is deflected up, the other is deflected down, causing the aircraft to pitch up or
down. Stabilator is used to control pitch. Variable incidence stabilizers are horizontal stabilizers
that can be adjusted in flight to change the pitch moment of the aircraft. Canards are small,
forward-mounted control surfaces that can be used to pitch the aircraft up or down.
In the yaw axis, rudder limiters are used to control the yaw, or rotation around the vertical axis of
the aircraft. The rudder is a hinged surface on the trailing edge of the vertical stabilizer that moves
left and right to control yaw. Rudder limiters are devices that restrict the amount of rudder
deflection that is possible, in order to prevent the aircraft from yawing too far and losing control.

1.8 Assess the effects of stall control devices including elevons and ruddervators
Stall control devices are used to improve the stall characteristics of an aircraft and help prevent a
stall from occurring. Elevons are control surfaces that combine the functions of elevators and
ailerons. They are hinged surfaces on the trailing edge of the wing that can be used to control both
pitch and roll. Elevons are used on some aircraft to provide additional pitch control at high angles
of attack, where the elevators may lose effectiveness.
Ruddervators are control surfaces that combine the functions of rudder and elevators. They are
hinged surfaces on the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer that can be used to control both
yaw and pitch. Ruddervators are used on some aircraft to provide additional pitch control at high
angles of attack, where the elevators may lose effectiveness.
The effects of stall control devices depend on how they are used and the specific aircraft they are
installed on. In general, stall control devices can help to improve the stall characteristics of an
aircraft by providing additional pitch and yaw control at high angles of attack. This can help to
prevent a stall from occurring and improve the overall stability and handling of the aircraft.

1.9 Interpret the aerodynamic effects of high-speed flight

At high speeds, the airflow around an aircraft becomes highly disrupted, which can cause
significant drag and affect the stability of the aircraft. High-speed flight also generates additional
loads on the aircraft structure, which must be taken into account during the design process.
1.10 Calculate Mach number and point out the difference with the critical Mach number.
Mach number = Speed of object / Speed of sound
For example, if an aircraft is flying at a speed of 500 mph and the speed of sound is 761 mph at the
same altitude, the Mach number would be:
Mach number = 500 mph / 761 mph = 0.656
The critical Mach number is the speed at which the drag on an aircraft begins to increase
significantly. This typically occurs when the airflow over certain parts of the aircraft, such as the
wing, reaches the speed of sound and creates shock waves. The critical Mach number is specific to
each aircraft and depends on the shape and configuration of its wing and other aerodynamic
surfaces.

1.11 Assess the effects of engine intake and swept wing design on high-speed
performance.
Engine intake design refers to the shape and configuration of the inlet through which air enters the
engine. The airflow into the engine must be smooth and uniform to avoid choking or compression
shocks, which can reduce the performance of the engine. To achieve this, the intake must be
carefully designed to slow down the airflow and smooth out any disturbances. This can be
accomplished through the use of intake ramps, fences, and other features.
Swept wing design refers to the angle at which the wings of an aircraft are tilted back from the root
to the tip. Swept wings are used on some high-speed aircraft to reduce the shock waves that form
at the wingtips at supersonic speeds. These shock waves can cause drag and reduce lift, so by
sweeping the wings back, the shock waves can be moved further aft, where they are less
disruptive. Swept wings also help to reduce the bending and torsional loads on the wings at high
speeds.
Overall, the effects of engine intake and swept wing design on high-speed performance are to
improve the engine efficiency and reduce the drag and lift penalties associated with high-speed
flight. This can help to increase the speed and performance of the aircraft.