Final Exam /

1. For internal cooling, reciprocating aircraft engines are especially dependent on
   A. the circulation of lubricating oil.
   B. air flowing over the exhaust manifold.
   C. a properly functioning thermostat.
2. Which wind condition would be most critical when taxiing a nosewheel equipped high-wing airplane?
   A. Quartering headwind
   B. Quartering tailwind
   C. Direct crosswind
3. What is one purpose of wing flaps?
   A. To decrease wing area to vary the lift.
   B. To enable the pilot to make steeper approaches to a landing without increasing the airspeed.
   C. To relieve the pilot of maintaining continuous pressure on the controls.
4. Excessively high engine temperatures, either in the air or on the ground, will
   A. increase fuel consumption and may increase power due to the increased heat.
   B. result in damage to heat-conducting hoses and warping of cylinder cooling fans.
   C. cause loss of power, excessive oil consumption, and possible permanent internal engine damage.
5. An above-glideslope indication from a tri-color VASI is
   A. a white light signal.
   B. a green light signal.
   C. an amber light signal.
6. How do variations in temperature affect the altimeter?
   A. Pressure levels are raised on warm days and the indicated altitude is lower than true altitude.
   B. Higher temperature levels expand the pressure levels and the indicated altitude is higher than true altitude.
   C. Lower temperatures lower the pressure levels and the indicated altitude is lower than true altitude.

See answers below.

Final Exam Answers

1. The correct answer is A. Engine oil lubricates, but also provides much needed engine cooling by reducing friction and absorbing heat. Be sure the oil level is at least at the minimum recommended level for your engine prior to a flight. Answer B is incorrect because although air is needed for cooling, the exhaust manifold isn’t an internal engine component. Answer C is incorrect because most air-cooled aircraft engines don’t feature an engine thermostat. (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 6)
2. The correct answer is B. It is a strong quartering tailwind that will try to challenge you the most while taxiing. To counter the wind effects, and prevent the wind from lifting the wing, hold down elevator control and down aileron on the side the wind is blowing from. Answers A and C are incorrect because although they could pose a threat in certain circumstances, a quartering tailwind is the most critical. (Airplane Flying Handbook Chapter 2)
3. The correct answer is B. In addition to maximizing takeoff performance, wing flaps allow a pilot to make a steeper landing approach without increasing the airspeed. Answer A is incorrect because flaps don’t decrease wing area, and they increase lift. Answer C is incorrect because it is describing trim. (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 5)
4. The correct answer is C. If high engine temperatures are noted while flying, there are several things a pilot may do singularly or in combination—reduce power, enrichen the mixture, increase forward speed (descend), and/or land if the problem persists. If noted on the ground while taxiing for takeoff, it may be best to cancel the flight. Answer A is incorrect because while heat is required to produce power, excessive heat will cause damage. Answer B is incorrect because internal component failure is likely prior to damage to the cylinder cooling fins and hoses. (Airplane Flying Handbook Chapter 16)
5. The correct answer is C. An amber light signal indicates that an aircraft is above glideslope. Answer B is incorrect because a green light signal will indicate that the aircraft is on glideslope. Answer A is incorrect because there is no white light signal on a tri-color VASI. (Aeronautical Information Manual Section 2-1-2)
6. The correct answer is A. As air warms, it expands upward. If an altimeter hasn’t been reset as the temperature increases, the indicated altitude on the altimeter will read lower than the true altitude. Remember, as the temperature goes down, the airplane goes down, and as the temperature goes up, the airplane goes up while indicated altitude remains the same; this will occur if the altimeter is not properly adjusted. (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Chapter 7)