Test Pilot

GENERAL

1. From reader W.C. Garvey: Flat-hatting is a term that originated in military aviation and describes flying at dangerously and unnecessarily low altitudes (usually for the thrill of it). It is synonymous with buzzing. How did this term originate?
2. Weather in the United States generally is influenced by three types of air masses: cP, mP, and mT. Everything being typical, arrange these air masses in order of their moisture content — most humid first and driest last.
3. In 1803, Englishman Luke Howard presented the scientific world with the current cloud-classification system, which uses Latin words to describe basic cloud shapes. For example, cumulus means "heap," and stratus means "layer." He referred to high, wispy clouds as cirrus, which means _________.
4. Pilots are advised to abide by the Five Cs when lost. What are the Five Cs, and can you name them in the proper sequence?
5. What are the two most common reasons for a runway to have a displaced threshold?

MULTIPLE CHOICE

6. A pilot is taxiing on a steady heading of 315 degrees under the influence of a brisk wind. He is holding the left aileron down and the control wheel fully aft. Both of these control inputs are opposite to what is correct because the wind direction is:
   1. northerly.
   2. easterly.
   3. southerly.
   4. westerly.
7. An aircraft generates the strongest, most threatening wake vortices when it is
   1. fast, heavy, and clean (flaps retracted).
   2. fast, heavy, and dirty (flaps extended).
   3. slow, heavy, and clean (flaps retracted).
   4. slow, heavy, and dirty (flaps exended).
8. According to the Aeronautical Information Manual, a pilot should complete the turn from base leg to final approach at least __________ from the runway threshold.
   1. one-eighth mile
   2. one-quarter mile
   3. one-half mile
   4. The AIM does not specify a minimum length for final approach.

TRUE OR FALSE

9. A pilot is operating at 2,500 feet agl at a distance of 3.5 nm from a controlled airport that has an elevation of 2,800 feet. The Class D airspace surrounding the airport has a radius of 3 nm and an upper limit of 5,000 feet msl. The speed limit for that aircraft is 250 knots.
10. The pilot of a Cessna 172 is executing an ILS approach at the minimum approved distance behind a Boeing 747-400. Both aircraft are stabilized on the glideslope. The Cessna pilot can expect to encounter wake turbulence.
11. Mountain waves and their associated rotors occur only when the air is stable.

ANSWERS

1. According to a U.S. Navy publication, it arose from an incident during which the wheel of a low-flying airplane struck a pedestrian on the head and crushed his top hat.
2. mT (maritime tropical), mP (maritime polar), and cP (continental polar). Maritime air masses originate over water, and continental air masses originate over land. Tropical air masses generally contain more moisture than do polar air masses.
3. Cirrus means "a lock of hair," not a mare's tail, as is often used to describe the appearance of this high-altitude cloud (above 16,500 feet msl).
4. Climb, communicate, confess, comply, and conserve.
5. A displaced threshold elevates the glideslope over any given point along final approach. This increases obstacle clearance and softens the noise footprint experienced by those on the ground below the approaching aircraft.
6. (b) The opposite control inputs (control wheel left and fully forward) would mean that the wind is coming from behind and from the right of the aircraft, which — when heading northwest — signifies a wind from the east.
7. (c) Extending wing flaps reduces vortex severity.
8. (b) It is also recommended that a pilot maintain pattern altitude until passing the runway threshold when on the downwind leg.
9. False. The speed limit is 200 kt when within four miles of and less than 2,500 feet above the primary airport, even when operating outside Class D airspace. Refer to FAR 91.117(b).
10. False. Because wake turbulence sinks beneath the offending aircraft, a following aircraft generally encounters a smooth ride (as long as both aircraft are on the glideslope). A rough ride can be expected, however, if the flight path of the following aircraft sinks below that of the lead aircraft.
11. True. The waves are caused by vertically displaced stable air attempting with ever-decreasing amplitude to return to its natural level. Atmospheric instability would cause wind deflected by mountain slopes to rise unabated.