PPL Aircraft Technical Knowledge

1. Introduction

2. Principles of Carburation

3. Float Chamber and Main Metering

4. The Correcting Circuits

5. Tracing the Fuel Path

6. Mixture Control and Idle Cut-Off

7. Over-Rich and Over-Lean Mixtures

8. Mixture Decisions

9. Detonation and Pre-Ignition

10. Formation of Carburettor and Intake Ice

11. Refrigeration and Throttle Ice

12. Impact Ice

13. Icing Conditions and Symptoms

14. Reading the Icing Risk

15. Using Carburettor Heat to Clear Ice

16. Anti-Icing and the Carburettor Air Temperature Gauge

17. Inlet Manifold Function

18. Summary

19. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. The Function and Principles of Fuel Injection

3. Components of a Basic Fuel Injection System

4. How a Simple Injection System Works in Operation

5. Tracing the Injected Fuel Path

6. Direct and Indirect Injection

7. Fuel Injection Compared With a Carburettor

8. Hot Starting, Vapour Lock and Flooding

9. Injected Engine Decisions

10. Summary

11. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Fuel Types and Colour Identification

3. Characteristics of AVGAS, MOGAS and AVTUR (Jet A-1)

4. Octane Ratings and Performance Numbers

5. Identifying the Fuel

6. Precautions for Using MOGAS in Aero-Engines

7. Fuel Contaminants

8. Drain Checks and Keeping Fuel Clean

9. Summary

10. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Function of the Exhaust Manifold

3. Back Pressure and Scavenging

4. Cabin Heat and the Exhaust Shroud

5. Sealing the Exhaust Manifold

6. Finding an Exhaust Leak

7. Where Carbon Monoxide Comes From

8. Recognising and Acting on Carbon Monoxide

9. Carbon Monoxide Decisions

10. Summary

11. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Dual Ignition and Two Spark Plugs

3. Inside the Magneto

4. The P-Lead and the Live Propeller

5. The Impulse Coupling

6. Tracing the Spark

7. Ignition Switch Positions

8. The Starter Circuit and Warning Light

9. Magneto Checks

10. Reading the Magneto Drop

11. Hand-Swinging a Propeller

12. Summary

13. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Solid-State Ignition Systems

3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Solid-State Ignition

4. Ignition Integrity Checks

5. Switch Handling for Solid-State Ignition

6. Summary

7. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Safety Precautions Before Starting

3. Starting a Cold Engine

4. Starting a Flooded or Hot Engine

5. Controlling an Engine Fire on Start-Up

6. Oil Pressure and Warming Up

7. Stopping the Engine

8. Why Rapid Power Changes Are Avoided

9. Power Handling in Practice

10. Reading CHT and EGT

11. Cross-Checking the Gauges

12. Rough Running and Excessive Vibration

13. Sudden Engine Failure in Flight

14. Summary

15. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Volts, Amps and the Loop

3. Electrically Operated Systems in a Light Aircraft

4. The Battery

5. The Alternator and the Generator

6. The Bus Bar and Voltage Regulation

7. Fuses and Circuit Breakers

8. The Ammeter and the Master Switch

9. Electrical Care Before and During the Start

10. Checking the System After Start, and Shutting It Down

11. Recognising an Electrical Malfunction

12. Actions for an Alternator Fault

13. Clearing a Tripped Breaker or Blown Fuse

14. Summary

15. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Gravity Feed and Pump Feed

3. The Fuel Selector Valve

4. The Supply Line and the Strainer

5. The Fuel Primer

6. Engine-Driven and Boost Pumps

7. Selecting Tanks and Unporting

8. Handling the Pumps in Flight

9. Tracing the Fuel System

10. Tank Venting and Expansion

11. Sumps, Standpipes and Unusable Fuel

12. Fuel Tank Construction

13. Fuel Quantity Indication

14. Knowing What Is in the Tanks

15. The Fuel Drain Check

16. Refuelling Rules

17. Earthing and Bonding

18. Ground Handling Decisions

19. Summary

20. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Functions of the Oil System

3. Viscosity and Oil Temperature

4. Wet Sump and Dry Sump Systems

5. Oil Pump, Relief Valve and Galleries

6. Oil Coolers, Bypass Valves and Filters

7. Oil Pressure and Temperature Gauges

8. Tracing the Oil Path

9. Correct Type and Grade of Oil

10. Checking the Oil Quantity

11. Replenishing the Oil

12. Oil Servicing Decisions

13. Recognising Oil Pressure Malfunctions

14. Recognising Oil Temperature Malfunctions

15. Actions for Oil System Problems

16. Oil Failure Decisions

17. Summary

18. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Tachometers

3. Centrifugal and Drag Cup Tachometers

4. Manifold Pressure Gauges

5. Boost Gauges and Engine Power

6. Reading the Power Instruments

7. Direct-Reading Oil Pressure Gauges

8. Vacuum Gauges

9. Outside Air Temperature Gauges

10. Fuel Quantity Gauges

11. Fuel Flow Indication

12. Summary

13. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Static and Dynamic Pressure

3. The Pitot-Static System

4. Drains, Heating and the Alternate Source

5. The Airspeed Indicator

6. Indicated, Calibrated and True Airspeed

7. The Altimeter

8. The Vertical Speed Indicator

9. Where Each Error Comes From

10. Pitot-Static Serviceability Checks

11. Pitot Blockages

12. Static Blockages

13. Diagnosing a Pitot-Static Failure

14. Summary

15. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. The Direct-Reading Magnetic Compass

3. Magnetic Dip and Residual Dip

4. Checking the Compass Mechanism

5. Acceleration Error

6. Turning Error

7. Predicting What the Compass Shows

8. Deviation and the Deviation Card

9. Pre-flight Compass Checks and Magnetic Precautions

10. Applying the Deviation Card

11. Summary

12. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Rigidity and Precession

3. The Vacuum System

4. Turn Indicator and Turn Coordinator

5. The Coordination Ball

6. Attitude Indicator

7. Attitude Indicator Checks and Errors

8. Heading Indicator

9. Synchronising and Checking the Heading Indicator

10. The Taxi Check

11. Low Rotor RPM and Power Failure

12. Toppling

13. Summary

14. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. GNSS Segments and Ranging

3. Fixing a Position from Satellite Ranges

4. GNSS Limitations

5. GNSS Failure Indications

6. TCAS

7. TAWS

8. EFIS Cockpit Displays

9. EFIS Data Sources and Processing

10. AHRS

11. ELT Signals and Identity

12. ELT Activation and Checks

13. Handling an ELT Activation

14. Summary

15. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Air and Liquid Cooling Systems

3. Preventing Overheating

4. Preventing Overcooling

5. Operation of Engine Cowl Flaps

6. Summary

7. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Tricycle and Tailwheel Layouts

3. Gear Legs, Wheels and Shock Absorption

4. Steering on the Ground

5. Wheel Brakes

6. Precautions for a Tricycle Undercarriage

7. Precautions for a Tailwheel Undercarriage

8. Summary

9. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. How Lowering Flap Moves the CL Curve

3. The Four Flap Types

4. Small Flap Settings Against Large Ones

5. Control Surfaces and the CL They Produce

6. Summary

7. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. The Three Axes and the Control for Each

3. How Each Control Produces Its Moment

4. Adverse Yaw, the Further Effect of Aileron

5. The Further Effect of Rudder and the Balance Ball

6. Control Effectiveness, Airspeed and Power

7. Trim Controls, Their Function and Their Use

8. Balancing of the Controls

9. Anti-Balance Tabs on an All-Moving Tailplane

10. Wing Flaps, Their Purpose and Operation

11. Summary

12. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. The Four Forces and Equilibrium in Level Flight

3. Establishing and Holding Straight and Level

4. How the Four Forces Change as IAS Varies

5. Using IAS Trends to Monitor the Force Balance

6. Static and Dynamic Stability

7. Pitching Moments in Flight

8. How Longitudinal Stability Is Achieved

9. Lateral and Directional Stability

10. Stability versus Controllability

11. Power Required and Power Available

12. Four Level-Flight Speeds off One Graph

13. Applying Performance Speeds from the POH

14. Flying for Range or Flying for Endurance

15. Planning and Flying a Range or Endurance Leg

16. Summary

17. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. The Forces Acting in a Steady Climb

3. Best Angle, Best Rate and Cruise Climb

4. Defining Vx and Vy

5. Deriving Vy from the Power Available and Power Required Curves

6. The Factors That Affect Climb Performance

7. Wind and the Climb Path Over the Ground

8. Summary

9. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. The Forces Acting in a Steady Glide

3. How the Glide Forces Change in a Powered Descent

4. How the Lift to Drag Ratio Sets the Glide Angle

5. Best Glide Speed and Minimum Sink

6. Weight and Airspeed in the Glide

7. Wind and Flap in the Glide

8. Descending Flight Summary

9. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Centripetal Force

3. The Components of Lift in a Turn

4. Load Factor in a Turn

5. Bank Angle, Lift, Drag and Load Factor

6. Turn Radius and Rate of Turn

7. The Rate One Turn

8. Climb Rate and Overbank in a Climbing Turn

9. Descent Rate and Underbank in a Descending Turn

10. Summary

11. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. The Stalling Angle of Attack

3. Symptoms of a Developing Stall

4. Angle of Attack, Not Airspeed

5. Reducing the Angle of Attack

6. Load Factor, Weight and Altitude

7. Power, Flap and Wing Contamination

8. Using Ailerons Near, During and After a Stall

9. Autorotation

10. Defining a Spin and Telling It From a Spiral Dive

11. Actions That Avoid a Spin

12. The Standard Spin Recovery

13. Summary

14. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. How an Airframe Carries Its Load

3. The Five Component Families

4. Airframe Stressers

5. Wing Loads

6. Spars, Ribs, Stringers and Struts

7. Corrosion and Fatigue

8. Damage in Composite Airframes

9. Fabric Coverings

10. Tying Down and Picketing

11. Summary

12. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Blade Section and Blade Angle

3. Helix Angle and Blade Angle of Attack

4. Why Propeller Blades Are Twisted

5. Direction of Rotation and Relative Airflow

6. Total Reaction, Thrust and Propeller Torque

7. Fixed Pitch, Airspeed, Angle of Attack and RPM

8. What Limits Fixed-Pitch Propeller Efficiency

9. How the Constant-Speed Governor Works

10. Moving the Blades, Oil Pressure and the Fine Pitch Stop

11. Changing Power With Throttle and Pitch Lever

12. The Principal Advantage of a Constant-Speed Propeller

13. The Reduction Gearbox

14. Propellers, Pulled Together

15. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Cable and Pulley Primary Control Runs

3. Pushrods, Bellcranks and Torque Tubes

4. Trim Tab Actuation

5. Flap Actuation Systems

6. Control Locks and Their Function

7. Removing Control Locks Before Flight

8. Flap Selection at Take-off

9. Flap Use on the Approach and the Go-around

10. VFE and the Flap Speed Limit

11. Summary

12. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. How Altitude Reduces Engine Power and Aerodynamic Lift

3. What Pressure Altitude Is and How the Altimeter Measures It

4. Calculating Aerodrome Pressure Altitude from Elevation and QNH

5. How Temperature Compounds Pressure Altitude to Produce Density Altitude

6. Calculating ISA Deviation and Density Altitude

7. Working the Density Altitude Chain

8. How Weight and Air Density Increase TODR and LDR

9. Slope, Surface and Wind Affects

10. Reading the Wind Component Graph

11. Affects on TODR and LDR

12. Windshear Hazards

13. TODR Vs TODA

14. Determine TODR

15. Landing Distance Required Versus Landing Distance Available

16. Determine LDR

17. Does the Aeroplane Fit the Strip

18. Printable Performance Sheets

19. Summary

20. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. Datum, Arm, Moment and Centre of Gravity

3. The Weights on a Load Sheet

4. Putting the Vocabulary to Work

5. Calculating the Centre of Gravity

6. Moving Weight and Burning Fuel

7. Reading a Moment Envelope

8. Index Units and Plotting the Load

9. Working a Load Sheet

10. Living Inside the Centre of Gravity Limits

11. Flying at Each Limit

12. Summary

13. Module Review

1. Introduction

2. About the Exam

3. Practice Assessment

4. Booking Your Exam

5. Exam Day and Tips

6. Practice Exam

7. Review