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  • Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance › Performance › Straight-and-Level Flight

    Straight-and-Level Flight All of the principal components of flight performance involve steady-state flight conditions and equilibrium of the aircraft. For the aircraft to remain in steady, level flight, equilibrium must be obtained by a lift equal ... aircraft weight and a powerplant thrust equal to the aircraft drag. Thus, the aircraft drag defines the thrust required to maintain steady, level flight. As presented in Chapter 4, Aerodynamics of Flight, all parts of an aircraft contribute…

  • Chapter 13: Transition to Multiengine Airplanes › Low Altitude Engine Failure Scenarios › Landing Gear Control Selected Up, Single-Engine Climb Performance Inadequate

    Landing Gear Control Selected Up, Single-Engine Climb Performance Inadequate When operating near or above the single-engine ceiling and an engine failure is experienced shortly after lift-off, a landing needs to be accomplished on whatever essentially lies ahead ... remaining engine producing power, as long as the pilot is not tempted to remain airborne beyond the airplane’s performance capability. Remaining airborne and bleeding off airspeed in a futile attempt to maintain altitude is almost invariably fatal. Landing under…

  • Chapter 1: Introduction To Flying › Aircraft Classifications and Ultralight Vehicles

    Airplane—an engine-driven fixed-wing aircraft heavier than air, that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction of the air against its wings. • Glider—a heavier-than-air aircraft, that is supported in flight by the dynamic reaction ... against its lifting surfaces and whose free flight does not depend principally on an engine. • Lighter-than-air aircraft—an aircraft that can rise and remain suspended by using contained gas weighing less than the air that is displaced…

  • Chapter 2: Ground Operations › Preflight Assessment of the Aircraft

    Preflight Assessment of the Aircraft The visual preflight assessment mitigates airplane flight hazards. The preflight assessment ensures that any aircraft flown meets regulatory airworthiness standards and is in a safe mechanical condition prior to flight. Per 14 CFR part ... section 3.5(a), the term “airworthy” means that the aircraft conforms to its type design and is in condition for safe operation. The owner/operator is primarily responsible for maintenance, but in accordance with 14 CFR part 91, section…

  • Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance › Performance Charts

    Performance Charts Performance charts allow a pilot to predict the takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing performance of an aircraft. These charts, provided by the manufacturer, are included in the AFM/POH. Information the manufacturer provides on these charts has been gathered ... from test flights conducted in a new aircraft, under normal operating conditions while using average piloting skills, and with the aircraft and engine in good working order. Engineers record the flight data and create performance charts based on the behavior…

  • Chapter 16: Transition to Jet-Powered Airplanes › Jet Engine Landing › Landing Speeds

    Landing Speeds As in the takeoff planning, there are certain speeds that should be taken into consideration when landing a jet airplane. The speeds are as follows: ⦁ VSO —stall speed in the landing configuration. ⦁ VREF —1.3 times the stall speed ... landing configuration. ⦁ Approach climb—the speed that guarantees adequate performance in a go-around situation with an inoperative engine. ⦁ Landing climb—the speed that guarantees adequate performance in arresting the descent and making a go-around from the final stages…