Aviation Basics
What force pulls an aircraft toward the Earth?
Gravity
What part of the aircraft stores fuel?
Fuel tanks
Hydraulics work by using what substance under pressure?
Fluid ( usually oil)
Who are credited with inventing the first powered airplane?
The Wright Brothers
The spinning blades at the front of some airplanes are called?
Propeller
What are the four forces of flight?
Lift, Weight, Thrust, Drag
What is used to control the aircraft’s direction left and right?
The rudder
Name one aircraft control that typically uses hydraulics.
Landing gear, flaps, brakes, or flight controls
In what year did the Wright Brothers’ first flight take place?
1903
The hinged part of the wing used to slow down during landing is?
Flaps
The upward force generated by the wings is called?
Lift
What system helps aircraft land safely at night or in poor visibility?
Instrument landing system (ILS)
Why are hydraulics preferred in aviation over mechanical systems?
They can transmit large amounts of force smoothly and efficiently
What part of the aircraft do pilots sit in?
Cockpit
What is the part of the airplane that produces thrust?
The engine
What controls the pitch of the aircraft (nose up and down)?
The elevator
What law of physics explains how pressure in a fluid is transmitted equally in all directions?
Pascal’s Law
Who was the first person to fly solo nonstop across the Atlantic?
Charles Lindbergh
The wheels used for takeoff and landing are part of what system?
Landing gear
What does the term “stall” mean in aviation?
When airflow over the wing is disrupted and lift is lost
What part of the airplane provides stability and prevents unwanted
The vertical stabilizer
If one hydraulic system fails, what backup system do most aircraft have?
Redundant or backup hydraulic system
What major aviation advancement in the 1960s allowed for faster, longer commercial flights?
The jet engine revolution / introduction of jet airliners
The movable panels on the trailing edge of the wing that help roll the aircraft are called?
Ailerons