Panel Interview Pilot Cadet Program: Detailed Notes
Battery
Function: Stores electrical energy to power systems during engine start and emergencies.
Types: Lead-acid, Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad), Lithium-Ion.
o Lead-acid: Commonly used in older aircraft, affordable but heavier.
o NiCad: Lightweight, reliable, and capable of rapid recharge; prone to thermal
runaway.
o Lithium-Ion: High energy density and lightweight; requires advanced monitoring
to prevent overheating.
Maintenance: Regular voltage checks, electrolyte level monitoring, and replacing
corroded terminals.
Basic Electric Circuit
Components: Power source (battery), conductors (wires), load (e.g., light bulb), and a
control device (switch).
Ohm's Law: Voltage (V) = Current (I) × Resistance (R).
Applications: Aircraft lighting, instrumentation, and communication systems.
o Short Circuit: Occurs when a low-resistance path bypasses the load, leading to
high current flow and potential damage.
Fuse or CB (Circuit Breaker)
Fuse: A sacrificial component that melts under overload to protect circuits.
Circuit Breaker: Manually resettable device that interrupts current flow during overload.
Purpose: Prevent electrical fires and equipment damage by interrupting excessive current
flow.
Differences: Fuses are single-use; circuit breakers can be reset.
AC vs. DC
AC (Alternating Current): Voltage changes direction periodically; used in high-power
systems and for efficient power distribution.
DC (Direct Current): Voltage flows in one direction; used in batteries and most
avionics.
Conversion: Rectifiers convert AC to DC; inverters do the opposite.
Aircraft Applications:
o DC for primary avionics, lighting, and motors.
o AC for larger systems like environmental controls.
Altimeter
Function: Measures altitude using atmospheric pressure.
Types: Barometric (pressure-based) and Radar (radio wave-based).
Adjustment: Requires setting local pressure (QNH) for accuracy.
Errors: Includes temperature error, pressure changes, and lag.
Airspeed Indicator
Function: Measures airspeed using the Pitot-static system.
Types of Airspeeds:
o Indicated Airspeed (IAS): Direct reading from the instrument.
o True Airspeed (TAS): IAS corrected for air density.
o Ground Speed (GS): TAS adjusted for wind.
Errors: Includes position error, density error, and instrument calibration error.
Motor Electrics - Alternator - Battery - Starter
Alternator: Generates AC power converted to DC for charging the battery and powering
systems.
o Permanent Magnet Alternators: Lightweight and simple, used in smaller
aircraft.
Battery: Supplies power during startup and emergencies.
Starter: Uses battery power to crank the engine during startup.
System Coordination: Starter engages first, alternator recharges battery once engine is
running.
GPS
Function: Determines position using satellite signals.
Components: Receiver, antenna, and display.
Accuracy: Enhanced by systems like WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) and
EGNOS (European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service).
Errors: Multipath interference, satellite clock errors, and ionospheric delays.
Piston Engine: 4-Stroke vs. 2-Stroke
4-Stroke: Intake, compression, power, and exhaust strokes; efficient and durable.
2-Stroke: Combines intake and compression, power and exhaust; simpler but less fuel-
efficient.
Applications:
o 4-stroke: Common in general aviation.
o 2-stroke: Used in ultralight and smaller aircraft engines.
Valves, Cam Shaft, Cam Shaft Speed
Valves: Regulate air-fuel mixture entry and exhaust gas exit.
Camshaft: Synchronizes valve operation with engine rotation.
Speed: Typically rotates at half the crankshaft speed.
Timing: Critical for optimal engine performance; timing belts or chains ensure precise
operation.
Jet Engine
Principle: Air compression, fuel combustion, and high-speed exhaust produce thrust.
Types: Turbojet, Turbofan, Turboprop, and Turboshaft.
Components:
o Compressor, combustion chamber, turbine, and exhaust nozzle.
Fan Engine
Turbofan: A jet engine with a large fan at the front for additional thrust and efficiency.
Bypass Ratio: Ratio of air bypassing the core to air passing through it; higher ratios
mean better efficiency.
Advantages: Quieter operation and better fuel economy.
Basic Flight Controls
Primary Controls:
o Ailerons: Roll.
o Elevator: Pitch.
o Rudder: Yaw.
Secondary Controls:
o Flaps: Increase lift and drag.
o Spoilers: Reduce lift and increase drag.
o Trim systems: Relieve pilot workload by maintaining desired flight attitude.
Spoilers
Function: Reduce lift and increase drag, aiding in descent and deceleration.
Location: Upper surface of the wings.
Deployment: Used during landing or in-flight to control speed and descent rate.
How is Lift Generated
Bernoulli's Principle: Faster airflow over the wing creates lower pressure, generating
lift.
Angle of Attack (AoA): The angle between the wing chord line and relative airflow.
Airfoil Shape: Curved upper surface enhances airflow speed and lift.
Angle of Attack
Importance: Key factor in lift generation and stalling.
Critical AoA: The maximum angle before airflow separation and lift loss.
Control: Managed via pitch adjustment.
Symmetrical Wing
Design: Equal curvature on upper and lower surfaces.
Use: Aerobatic aircraft for inverted flight capabilities.
Lift Characteristics: Requires higher AoA to generate lift compared to cambered wings.
Upside Down Flight
Mechanism: Adjusting AoA to maintain lift with symmetrical or semi-symmetrical
wings.
Challenges: Increased drag and reduced efficiency.
Propeller
Function: Converts engine power into thrust.
Design: Variable pitch propellers optimize performance across speeds.
Cavitation: Occurs when pressure drops and air bubbles form, reducing efficiency.
4 Forces: Lift, Weight, Drag, Thrust
Lift: Opposes weight, generated by wing.
Weight: Force due to gravity.
Drag: Resistance to motion through air.
o Parasite Drag: Caused by form and skin friction.
o Induced Drag: Caused by lift production.
Thrust: Propulsive force generated by engines.
Lift Force and Turn
Banking: Tilt of lift vector generates a horizontal component for turning.
Load Factor: Increases with bank angle, affecting stall speed.
Coordinated Turn: Requires balanced use of ailerons, rudder, and elevator.
Flaps
Function: Increase lift and drag for lower landing and takeoff speeds.
Types: Plain, slotted, Fowler, and split.
Deployment: Managed in stages to prevent excessive drag or lift loss.
Flaps and Stall Speed
Effect: Deploying flaps lowers stall speed by increasing lift.
Trade-off: Increased drag can reduce climb performance.
Takeoff into Wind: GS, IAS
Ground Speed (GS): Actual speed over the ground.
Indicated Airspeed (IAS): Airspeed shown on the instrument; unaffected by wind.
Benefit: Headwind reduces GS for a given IAS, shortening takeoff roll.
Crosswind: Requires rudder correction to maintain alignment with the runway.
Mach Number
Definition: Ratio of aircraft speed to the speed of sound.
Critical Mach Number: Speed at which shockwaves first form on the aircraft.
Applications: Key in transonic and supersonic flight regimes.
Factors: Varies with altitude and temperature.
