Hinged portion of the trailing edge between the ailerons and fuselage. In some aircraft, ailerons and flaps are interconnected to produce full-span “flaperons.” In either case, flaps change the lift and drag on the wing. The plain or hinge flap is a hinged section of the wing. The structure and function are comparable to the other control [...]
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Posted in Aircraft Systems Terms, Video | Tagged Systems
MACH -Named after Ernst Mach, a 19th century Austrian physicist, is the ratio of an aircraft’s true speed as compared to the local speed of sound at a given time or place. MACH number (MACH Speed) is a decimal number (M) representing the true airspeed (TAS) relationship to the local speed of sound (e.g., TAS [...]
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Posted in Aircraft | Tagged Aerodynamics, Aircraft, Airspeed, Systems
Kollsman Window – Altimeter – Paul Kollsman invented the first accurate Barometric Altimeter wiith an accuracy of a few feet. Prior to Kollsman’s invention, altimeters could only determine an airplane’s altitude within a few hundred feet. Kollsman’s invention was used on the first “Blind Flight” conducted by James “Jimmy” Doolittle proving the ability to fly using only instruments.
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Posted in Avionics Terms, Video | Tagged Altimeter, Avionics, FAA Pilot's Handbook, Navigation, Systems
An ice protection system (IPS) is a system that protects certain critical aircraft parts from ice accretion. To be an approved system, it must satisfy the requirements of 14 CFR 25.1419 which requires: If the applicant seeks certification for flight in icing conditions, the airplane must be able to safely operate in the continuous maximum [...]
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Posted in Aircraft Systems Terms | Tagged Icinig, Systems
Automatic Cycling Mode is a mode of operation of the airframe deicing system that provides repetitive cycles of the system without the need for the pilot to select each cycle. This is generally done with a timer, and there may be more than one timing mode.
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Posted in Aircraft Systems Terms | Tagged Icinig, Systems
Advisory Ice Detection System is an advisory system annunciates the presence of icing conditions or ice accretion. The advisory ice detection system provides information advising the flightcrew of the presence of ice accretion or icing conditions. It can only be used in conjunction with other means (most commonly, visual observation by the flightcrew) to determine [...]
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Posted in Aircraft Systems Terms | Tagged Icinig, Systems
Automatic protective devices (circuit breakers) are provided within aircraft systems to minimize distress to the electrical system and hazard to the aircraft in the event of wiring faults or serious malfunction of a system or connected equipment. Alerting devices provide the pilot with a visual and/or aural alarm to direct the pilot’s attention to a [...]
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Posted in Aircraft Systems Terms, Aviation Safety Terms | Tagged Aircraft, electrical, Safety, Systems
Stabilator. A single-piece horizontal tail surface on an airplane that pivots around a central hinge point. A stabilator serves the purposes of both the horizontal stabilizer and the elevators.
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Posted in Aviation Terms | Tagged FAA Pilot's Handbook, flight Controls, Systems
Speed. The distance traveled in a given time.
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Posted in Aviation Terms | Tagged FAA Pilot's Handbook, Systems
Special fuel consumption. The amount of fuel in pounds per hour consumed or required by an engine per brake horsepower or per pound of thrust.
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Posted in Aviation Terms | Tagged FAA Pilot's Handbook, Systems
