Unit 2 review: The Airplane
A mixed check of all 4 lessons in this unit. Mixing topics is harder than one lesson at a time, and that's the point: it's how the written test and the oral exam ask.
The unit in one minute
- Parts of the airplaneFive main parts: fuselage, wings, empennage, landing gear, powerplant.
- Flight controls and the three axesAilerons = roll (longitudinal axis); elevator = pitch (lateral axis); rudder = yaw (vertical axis).
- Trim, flaps and secondary controlsAttitude first, then trim.
- The preflight inspectionThe PIC must determine the airplane is airworthy before every flight (91.7).
Mixed check
12 questions pulled from across the unit. Wrong answers explain why and point you back to the lesson.
Explain it to your CFI
Say each one out loud in your own words, in under a minute. If you stall, reread that lesson. This is exactly what an examiner looks for.
- Parts of the airplane. Name the five major parts of an airplane
- Flight controls and the three axes. Match each primary control to its axis
- Trim, flaps and secondary controls. Explain how trim tabs reduce control pressure
- The preflight inspection. Explain why every flight starts with a preflight
What the examiner may ask
What do the three axes pass through?
The center of gravity.
Why visually check the fuel tanks?
Fuel gauges on light airplanes can be unreliable. The older certification rules most trainers were built under only required them to read zero when just unusable fuel is left, so confirm the quantity with your own eyes.
Where is the fuel stored in your airplane?
In most trainers, in tanks inside the wings. Know your airplane's total and usable fuel from the POH.
How do you use trim correctly?
Set the attitude and power first, then trim to relieve control pressure.