Aircraft Performance

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 Torque
 The propeller usually rotates clockwise, as seen
from the pilot seat. The reaction to the spinning
propeller causes the aircraft to rotate
counterclockwise.
 Asymmetric Thrust
 At high angles of attack and high power setting at
take-off, the descending blade of the propeller has a
greater angle of attack than the ascending blade.
This produces more lift from the right side of the
propeller with a consequent yawing to the left.
 Slipstream
 The air pushed backward by the revolving propeller
has a corkscrew motion. This causes an increase in
pressure on the left side of the tail unit and a
decrease on the right side. Therefore the aircraft
yaws to the left. This can be countered by use of
rudder or offsetting the fin.
 Precession
 The spinning propeller of an airplane acts like a
gyroscope. A rotating gyro tends to stay in the same
plane of rotation and resists any change in that
plane. If an airplane goes quickly from nose up to
nose down on take-off it will yaw to the left.
 Climbing
 The ability to climb is
dependent on the ability
of an aircraft to produce
thrust. Lift always acts
perpendicular to relative
airflow. Therefore the
vertical component of
lift must increase to
balance the vertical
component of thrust.
 Best Rate Of Climb
 This is the rate of climb that will gain the most
altitude in the least time. The best rate of climb is
normally used on take-off.
 Best Angle Of Climb
 This is the angle that will gain the most altitude in a
given distance. It is valuable in climbing out over
obstacles.
 Normal Climb
 This is a rate of climb that should be used in any
prolonged cruise climb.
 Gliding
 In gliding there is NO power from the engine and
the airplane is under influence of gravity. Of the
four forces, thrust is now absent and a state of
equilibrium must be maintained by lift, drag, and
weight only.
 Best Glide Speed For Range
 The speed at which an aircraft will glide the
furthest distance for altitude lost.

Best Glide Speed For Endurance

 The speed at which an aircraft will glide the
greatest amount of time for altitude lost.
 Confirmation Stage

NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage

 Theory of Flight
Aircraft Performance

Let's try a few review questions on Theory of Flight:

Question #1 -The increased pressure on the left side of

the tail unit causing the aircraft to yaw to the
left is known as .

A Asymmetric Thrust

B Precession

C Slipstream

D Torque
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 Theory of Flight
Aircraft Performance

Let's try a few review questions on Theory of Flight:

Question #2 - This is the performance that will gain the

most altitude in the least time.

A Best Rate Of Climb

B Normal Climb

C Best Angle Of Climb

D Best Glide Speed For Range

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 Turns
 The force of Lift acts 90o to
the wing span. In a turn this
force of lift is inclined away
from the vertical. Therefore
the vertical forces are no
longer in balance or
equilibrium.
 Altitude will decrease unless
angle of attack or airspeed (or
both) are used to increase lift.
 Turns
 In a turn the lift force
has 2 components:

 Vertical
 opposes weight (lift).

 Horizontal
 makes the airplane turn.
This horizontal force is
known as Centripetal
Force (toward the turn).
 Turns
 Steeper the angle of
bank:
i. The greater rate of turn,
ii. The less the radius of turn,
iii. The higher the stalling
speed, and
iv. The greater the loading.

 High airspeed in a turn:

i. Slower rate of turn, and
ii. larger radius of turn.
 Confirmation Stage

NOTE: You must use the buttons in the Confirmation Stage

 Theory of Flight
Aircraft Performance

Let's try a few review questions on Theory of Flight:

Question #3 - What is the force that keeps an aircraft in a

turn?

A Vertical force

B Centripetal force

C Loading force

D Centrifugal force
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 Theory of Flight
Aircraft Performance

Let's try a few review questions on Theory of Flight:

Question #4 - From the four forces in flight, lift, weight,

thrust, and drag, which force allows an
aircraft to turn?

A Lift

B Weight

C Thrust

D Drag
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 Theory of Flight
Aircraft Performance

Congratulations!!
You have now completed the Aircraft Performance lesson of the
Theory of Flight Module. Of course, this lesson is always available to
you for future reference if required.
You are now ready to move along to the next Theory of Flight lesson
you have not completed or to any other module you wish. You can
advance to the Self Test Module if you feel ready to challenge the
final exam.
Good Luck!