4 2 . 8 Aircraft Performance

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.

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

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program That answer is correct. Let's move on...

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

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program That answer is correct. Let's move on...

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. The airplane will descend unless the angle of attack is increased to produce more lift.

Turns In a turn the lift force has 2 components: Vertical Horizontal 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: High airspeed in a turn: 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.

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

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program That answer is correct. Let's move on...

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

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program I’m afraid that answer is incorrect Let's try again...

Flying Scholarship Program That answer is correct. Let's move on...

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!