How much do you really know about aerodyanmics? Time to find out!
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1) If you float when you flare, it's usually because _______.
A float is caused by too much airspeed. As you enter the flare, ground effect increases, and your drag decreases. That makes it very hard to bleed off your extra airspeed, and you float.
A float is caused by too much airspeed. As you enter the flare, ground effect increases, and your drag decreases. That makes it very hard to bleed off your extra airspeed, and you float.
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2) A stall that happens at more than 1G is a ______.
You can exceed the critical angle of attack at any airspeed. If you're flying at more than 1G, like in a 45-degree banked turn, you'll stall at a higher airspeed.
You can exceed the critical angle of attack at any airspeed. If you're flying at more than 1G, like in a 45-degree banked turn, you'll stall at a higher airspeed.
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3) As you enter ground effect, downwash flattens out, and the plane's lift vector tilts _______.
With downwash flattened from reduced wingtip vortices, the lift vector tilts forward toward vertical. This is a problem, because it means you have less drag, and it's harder to decelerate before touching down. If you're too fast, you could float.
With downwash flattened from reduced wingtip vortices, the lift vector tilts forward toward vertical. This is a problem, because it means you have less drag, and it's harder to decelerate before touching down. If you're too fast, you could float.
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4) Trim holds _______.
If you trim your plane for a speed, say 80 knots, and you let go of the controls, the airplane will pitch up or down (or stay level) to maintain 80 knots. If you reduce power, your plane will pitch down for 80 knots. If you add power, your plane will pitch up for 80 knots.
If you trim your plane for a speed, say 80 knots, and you let go of the controls, the airplane will pitch up or down (or stay level) to maintain 80 knots. If you reduce power, your plane will pitch down for 80 knots. If you add power, your plane will pitch up for 80 knots.
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5) As weight decreases, stall speed ______.
The lower the weight, the lower the stall speed. Keep in mind, your plane's stall speed is published at maximum gross weight. If you're flying lighter than that, your stall speed will be lower.
The lower the weight, the lower the stall speed. Keep in mind, your plane's stall speed is published at maximum gross weight. If you're flying lighter than that, your stall speed will be lower.
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6) Extending flaps ______ lift and _______ drag.
Flaps increase lift, and as that lift increases, so does drag.
Flaps increase lift, and as that lift increases, so does drag.
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