Preflight
What actions are required of any pilot departing the vicinity of the airport?
NWKRAFT
A TAF generally covers this radius around an airport.
What is 5 nm.
91.129 (e) states we must remain at or above the glide path in what airspace?
List your V speeds by memory on the board for N3378E.
Vr 55
Vx 56
Vy 76
Vso 41
Vs 47
Vg 65
Va 97 (max weight)
Vfe 110/85
Vno 128
Vne 160
What instruments are driven by the pitot-static system and how do they work?
You're planning to fly up near Yosemite with your friends to take photos and buzz half-dome. On the way you pass FRA VOR.
You notice some clouds moving in and are concerned about changing weather conditions.
Is there a Flight Service Station nearby and how would you contact them? What services do they offer?
Oakland is available on 122.5
A flight service station (FSS) provides pilots with pre-flight and in-flight services, including weather and aeronautical information, flight plan processing, and assistance during emergencies. They are crucial for pilot briefings, disseminating weather and notices to airmen (NOTAMs), and initiating search and rescue operations. FSS also collects and relays information like pilot reports (PIREPs) and traffic advisories.
In-flight icing is most likely to form when the temperature is between these degrees Celsius.
What is between 0°C and -10°C
You're in class G airspace. FAR 91.126 requires you makes you make all turns in this direction unless otherwise published.
What is left.
Descent planning: describe the 3-1 rule.
For every 3 nm of distance, plan to descend 1000ft at roughly 90 kts over the ground.
If the ammeter shows a continuous discharge after start-up, what component has likely failed and what should you do?
What is the alternator or voltage regulator failed — load shed electrical equipment and terminate flight as soon as practical?.
It’s early morning and you find a thin layer of frost on the wings that brushes off easily. You’re planning a local training flight.
Can you fly?
No, do not depart until the frost is completely removed — even a thin layer can reduce lift by 30% and increase stall speed.
Decode this METAR. You are allowed 3 mistakes.
KORD 102049Z 25031G54KT 1/2SM R10L/4500VP6000FT +TSRA BKN035 BKN050 BKN070 OVC200 30/23 A2985 RMK AO2 PK WND 27054/2049 LTG DSNT ALQDS RAB38 TSB38 PRESRR FRQ LTGICCCCG TS OHD MOV E $
Consult a CFI.
You’re ferrying a 172 with an expired annual to a repair station. What special document is required?
FAR 21.197
What is a Special Flight Permit (ferry permit).
How would you prepare for takeoff at a high density altitude airport with a 2000ft runway?
1. Refer to POH
2. Use short field takeoff
3. Perform a full throttle runup and lean for best power before takeoff.
The voltage regulator in a 172 performs this function.
What is maintaining the alternator output at 28 volts and protecting from overvoltage?.
The NOTAMs show your destination’s AWOS is out of service, and the nearest reporting station is 35 NM away with rapidly changing ceilings. Go or no-go?
What resources are at your disposal?
What is no-go — insufficient real-time weather information at destination for safe planning.
GFA
What do you call a localized column of sinking air (downdraft) from a thunderstorm that, upon hitting the ground, spreads out and creates powerful, damaging straight-line winds. These storms are small, typically less than 2.5 miles in diameter, and can produce wind speeds of up to 150mph, with damaging effects that can be comparable to a tornado.
What is a microburst.
On your way back from KSBP, you notice empty fuel gauges over Lemoore (KNLC).
You filled up before departing KVIS.
What would you do? Are you allowed to land at KNLC?
If so, what regulation allows it?
91.7 (b) states "The pilot in command of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether that aircraft is in condition for safe flight. The pilot in command shall discontinue the flight when unairworthy mechanical, electrical, or structural conditions occur. "
91.3 (b) states "In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency. "
You’re en route at 7,500 ft on a clear, cool day when your engine starts to lose 200 RPM over 10 minutes. EGT and fuel flow are decreasing. What is possibly happening?
Potential carburetor icing — apply full carb heat, monitor RPM and EGT recovery, and prepare for possible diversion if power doesn’t return.
Describe and draw the path fuel takes from the tank to the engine in your Cessna 172.
What is tank → selector valve → strainer → carburetor → engine cylinders?
You’re VFR, flying 200 NM down to KSBA. Weather en route is forecast VFR, but destination is expected to drop to 4 SM BR and BKN020 an hour after ETA.
A TFR for a fire will force you to climb to 12,500 for 15 miles as well.
Go or no-go?
How could you mitigate the risks?
What is go only with a solid alternation and fuel reserve plan — marginal forecast requires active contingency planning as do TFRs.
Hypoxia might also be an issue.
What is a dust storm that can be several miles long, several thousand feet high, and can travel hundreds of miles. We had one recently pass through Visalia.
What is a haboob.
Does the FAR advocate for a sterile cockpit? If so, what part and when, specifically?
121.542 Flight crewmember duties.
(a) No certificate holder shall require, nor may any flight crewmember perform, any duties during a critical phase of flight except those duties required for the safe operation of the aircraft. Duties such as company required calls made for such nonsafety related purposes as ordering galley supplies and confirming passenger connections, announcements made to passengers promoting the air carrier or pointing out sights of interest, and filling out company payroll and related records are not required for the safe operation of the aircraft.
(b) No flight crewmember may engage in, nor may any pilot in command permit, any activity during a critical phase of flight which could distract any flight crewmember from the performance of his or her duties or which could interfere in any way with the proper conduct of those duties. Activities such as eating meals, engaging in nonessential conversations within the cockpit and nonessential communications between the cabin and cockpit crews, and reading publications not related to the proper conduct of the flight are not required for the safe operation of the aircraft.
(c) For the purposes of this section, critical phases of flight includes all ground operations involving taxi, takeoff and landing, and all other flight operations conducted below 10,000 feet, except cruise flight.
What is the maximum endurance of N3378 climbing up to 12,000ft?
A. 4.7 hours
B. 5.2 hours
C. 6.0 hours
D. None of the above
Consult your POH
C.
What spring-loaded mechanism provides a high-energy spark for engine starting by using momentarily and rapidly accelerate the magneto's rotor when the engine is at low speeds?
What is an Impulse Coupling.