Principles of Flight, Aircraft General Knowledge

GATE 1 EXAM (A)

1 For internal cooling, reciprocating aircraft engines are especially dependent on:
A a properly functioning thermostat.

B the circulation of lubricating oil.

C air flowing over the exhaust manifold.

D
2 An aircraft has a tendency to fly right wing low with hands off. It is trimmed with a tab the left aileron.
The trim tab will:
A Move down causing the left aileron to move up, and right aileron to move down.

B Move up, causing the left aileron to move up and right aileron to move down.
C Move down, causing the left aileron to move up, right aileron remains neutral.

D
3 On a light aircraft fitted with a mechanically steered nose wheel, steering on the ground is normally
effected by:
A Control rods/cables operated by the rudder pedals.
B Cables operated from the aileron control wheel.
C Use of the differential braking technique, only.
D
4 As air enters the restriction of a Venturi, velocity _____i_____, static or ambient pressure ___ii____
and temperature ____iii____.
A (i) decreases (ii) decreases (iii) increases
B (i) increases (ii) increases (iii) increases
C (i) increases (ii) decreases (iii) decreases
D
5 An airfield, elevation 3000 feet, has a pressure altitude of 3500 feet. What is the QNH?
A 1029 hPa
B 1013 hPa

C 997 hPa

D
6 Relative airflow is ___and_____the movement of the aircraft.
A Perpendicular to / Opposite to.

B Parallel to / in the same direction as.

C Parallel to / Opposite to.

D
7 To fly at a given IAS, the thrust required at altitude:
A will be less than at sea level
B will be the same as at sea level and will be given by the same throttle position

C will be the same as at sea level, but will require the throttle to be advanced

D
8 If an airplane weights 4,600 pounds, what approximate weight would the airplane structure be required
to support during a 50° banked turn while maintaining altitude? (See Fig. PPL PoF-1)
A 7,160 lbs
B 5,400 lbs
C 9,200 lbs
D 8,180 lbs
9 Longitudinal dihedral is a design feature used as a method of improving stability:-
A about the lateral axis
B about the longitudinal axis
C about the normal axis
D
10 Excessive arcing across the contact breaker points of a magneto when the points are open is
prevented by:
A a diode being fitted.
B placing a capacitor parallel across the contact breaker.
C insulation of the contacts.
D N/A
11 When considering air: 1 - Air has mass 2 - Air is not compressible 3 - Air is able to flow or change its
shape when subject to even small pressures 4 - The viscosity of air is very high 5 - Moving air has
kinetic energy The correct combination of all true statements is:
A 1, 2, 3 and 5.
B 2, 3 and 4.
C 1, 3, and 5.
D 1 and 4.
12 The compression ratio of a piston engine is the:
A difference in pressure generated when the piston is at BDC to that generated at TDC.
B variation between the volume of the combustion chamber and the swept volume.
C ratio of the cylinder total volume when the piston is at BDC to the cylinder clearance volume when
at TDC.
D N/A
13 The maximum speed at which the airplane can be operated in smooth air is:
A 100kts

B 165kts
C 208kts

14 An aeroplane heading 030° in the Southern Hemisphere turns left onto 340° using a direct reading
magnetic compass. The roll out of the turn should be initiated on a compass heading off:
A 360°

B 320°

C 300°
D
15 Under what condition is indicated altitude the same as true altitude?
A If the altimeter has no mechanical error.
B When at 18,000 feet MSL with the altimeter set at 29.92".
C When at sea level under ISA conditions.
D
16 Which of the following factors help to prevent unwanted rolling following a disturbance?
A Wing dihedral, having a high wing, having a low keel surface and a T-tail.
B Wing anhedral, having a high wing and having a high keel surface.
C Wing dihedral, having a low wing, having a high keel surface and a large tail.
D Wing dihedral, having a high wing, having a high keel surface and wing sweepback.
17 Lift is a function of:
A velocity, wing shape, wing area and CL.
B velocity, density, gross wing area and CD.
C velocity, wing area, density and CL.
D
18 Refer to figure 4. What is the maximum structural cruising speed?
A 100mph
B 208mph
C 165mph
D

19 In sub-sonic airflow, as air passes through a venturi, the mass flow_____, the velocity _____and the
static pressure_____.
A Remains constant / increases then decreases / decreases then increases.
B Decreases then increases / remains constant / increases then decreases.
C Remains constant / increases then decreases / increases then decreases.
D Decreases then increases / increases then decreases / increases then decreases.
20 Which instrument(s) will become inoperative if the static vents become clogged?
A Airspeed, altimeter, and vertical speed.
B Altimeter only.
C Airspeed only.
D
21 In a direct reading magnetic compass, the effect of dip is counteracted by:
A Low center of gravity above a high pivot point.

B Compass liquid that promotes pendulicity.

C Two powerful saturated magnets.

D N/A

22 Refer to figure 3. Which altimeter(s) indicate(s) more than 10,000 feet?

A 1 and 2 only.

B 1 only.

C 1, 2 and 3

D
23 When turning through North in the Northern Hemisphere:-
A Liquid swirl will increase the magnitude of any turning error.
B Turning errors are greatest closer to the magnetic equator.
C Acceleration errors are always more significant than turning errors.
D The compass will be lively.
24 Why should an aircraft touch down with highest possible flap selection?
A In order to loose altitude as fast as possible.
B In order to improve the airflow over the elevator.
C In order to touchdown at the slowest possible speed to protect the fuselage and undercarriage.
D
25 The bypass valve that can allow oil to bypass the oil cooler in the event of a blockage is:
A Pressure-activated
B Pilot controlled
C Temperature-activated
D
26 The purpose of an accumulator in the hydraulic system is to
A prevent cavitation at the pump
B provide, in an emergency, a supply of fluid for the pump
C assist in damping out system pressure fluctuations
D N/A
27 Refer to figure 3. Altimeter 2 indicates:
A 9,500'
B 19,500'
C 14,500'
D

28 Aircraft A has a wing span of 12m and a wing chord of 1m, aircraft B has a wing span of 15m and a
chord of 1.2m. Which has the greater aspect ratio?
A Aircraft A
B Aircraft B
C Both are the same
D
29 The angle of tilt of the rate gyro in a turn indicator is due to:
A the force in the horizontal plane generated by secondary precession
balancing the tilt caused by primary precession;
B the tension of the control spring opposing the angular tilt of the gyro;

C primary precession which is generated by an aeroplanes rate of turn;

D
30 Blade angle_____from the hub to the tip of a propeller blade in order to maintain an
optimal______from hub to tip.
A Decreases / Angle of Attack.

B Increases / Angle of Attack.

C Decreases / Geometric Pitch.

D
31 The camshaft of a piston engine normally rotates at:
A half the speed of the crankshaft
B the same speed as the crankshaft
C twice the speed of the crankshaft.
D
32 If the grade of fuel used in an aircraft engine is lower than specified for the engine, it will most likely
cause
A a mixture of fuel and air that is not uniform in all cylinders.
B lower cylinder head temperatures.
C detonation.
D
33 The primary load carrying component of an aluminium stressed skin wing:-
A is the main spar
B is the skin
C is the secondary spar
D
34 In a steady turn an aircraft experiences 3g, the stalling speed will be:
A below the normal stalling speed
B above the normal stalling speed
C the same as the normal stalling speed
D N/A
35 The purpose of a differential ailerons is to:
A Increase the yawing moment which opposes a turn.
B Improve the rate of roll.
C Reduce the opposite yawing moment when making a turn.
D
36 Four factors determine lift. These are:
A Lift coefficient, air pressure, air density, surface area
B Lift coefficient, airspeed, air density, air temperature
C Lift coefficient, airspeed, air density, surface area
D
37 Airfield Elevation 4000 ft, OAT +15°C, QNH 995 hPa. What is Density Altitude:
A 5500 ft

B 5620 ft

C 6500 ft

D
38 An imaginary straight line running from the midpoint of the leading edge of an aerofoil to its trailing
edge, is called the:
A Mean camber

B Chord
C Maximum camber

D
39 Refer to figure 7. How should a pilot determine the direction of bank from an attitude indicator such as
the one illustrated?
A By the relationship of the miniature airplane (C) to the deflected horizon bar (B).
B By the direction of deflection of the banking scale (A).
C By the direction of deflection of the horizon bar (B).
D

40 The purpose of the compass deviation card fixed next to an aircraft's magnetic compass is to:
A Compensate for the influence of magnetic material carried on the person of the pilot and/or
passengers.
B Indicate the discrepancy between the aircraft's track and magnetic north.
C Indicate the discrepancy between the heading shown on the compass and the actual magnetic
heading.
D
41 An aircraft has a tendency to fly left wing low with hands off. It is trimmed with a tab on the left aileron.
The trim tab will:
A Move down causing the left aileron to move up, and right aileron to move down.
B Move up, causing the left aileron to move up and right aileron to move down.
C Move down, causing the left aileron to move up, right aileron remains neutral.
D Move up causing the left aileron to move down, and right aileron to move up.
42 If, during level flight, the static vent becomes blocked the ASI reading will:
A Act as normal
B Overread
C Remain the same
D N/A
43 Which of the following four options describes the consequence of taking off with the manufacturer's
recommended take-off flap setting selected?
A A decrease in the length of the take-off run compared to a non-flap take-off.
B An increase in the length of the take-off run compared to a non-flap take-off.
C A greater angle of climb.
D Easier avoidance of obstacles at the end of a runway.
44 What is the relationship of lift, drag, thrust, and weight when the airplane is in straight-and-level flight?
A Lift, drag, and weight equal thrust.

B Lift and weight equal thrust and drag.

C Lift equals weight and thrust equals drag.

D
45 By changing the Angle of Attack of a wing, the pilot can control the aeroplane's:
A Lift and airspeed, but not drag.

B Lift, airspeed, and drag.

C Lift and drag, but not airspeed.

D
46 As you climb altitude_____and density________and, therefore, the mixture will be___
A Increases / Decreases / Leaner

B Decreases / Increases / Richer

C Increases / Decreases / Richer

D
47 The primary purpose of cowl flaps is to:-
A control the flow of air over the engine cylinders in order to maintain a constant operating
temperature.
B control the flow of air over the engine cylinders in order to maintain the correct operating
temperature.
C control the flow of air over the engine cylinders in order to maintain the correct air flow.
D
48 Aircraft A has a wing span of 10m and a wing chord of 1m, aircraft B has a wing span of 15m and a
chord of 2m. Which has the greater aspect ratio?
A Aircraft A
B Aircraft B
C Both aircraft have the same aspect ratio
D
49 In a sub-sonic airflow , as air passes through a venturi, the mass flow ____i___ the velocity __ii__ at
the static pressure ___iii___ :
A (i) Decreases then increases (ii) Increases then decreases (iii) Increases then decreases.
B (i) Decreases then increases (ii) Remains constant (iii) Increases then decreases.
C (i) Remains constant (ii) Increases then decreases (iii) Decreases then increases.
D (i) Remains constant (ii) Increases then decreases (iii) Increases then decreases.
50 If both the ram air input and the drain hole of the pitot system are blocked, what reaction should you
observe on the airspeed indicator when power is applied and a climb is initiated out of severe icing
conditions?
A No change until an actual climb rate is established, then indicated airspeed will increase.
B The indicated airspeed would show a continuous deceleration while climbing.
C The airspeed would drop to, and remain at, zero.
D
 RESULT SHEET: GATE 1 EXAM (A)

Name ______________________________________

A B C D A B C D

1 26

2 27

3 28

4 29

5 30

6 31

7 32

8 33

9 34

10 35

11 36

12 37

13 38

14 39

15 40

16 41

17 42

18 43

19 44

20 45

21 46

22 47

23 48

24 49

25 50
 RESULT SHEET: GATE 1 EXAM (A)

MASTER SHEET

A B C D A B C D

1 1 26 1
2 2 27 2
3 1 28 2
4 3 29 1
5 2 30 2
6 2 31 1
7 1 32 1
8 3 33 1
9 1 34 1
10 1 35 1
11 3 36 4
12 1 37 3
13 1 38 1
14 2 39 3
15 1 40 1
16 1 41 2
17 4 42 1
18 2 43 1
19 3 44 1
20 1 45 3
21 1 46 3
22 3 47 1
23 1 48 2
24 1 49 3
25 1 50 1

Score ______/86