PLTW Engineering Semester Final Flashcards

A mixture of gases that sustains life and protects us from solar radiation.

an indication of an aircraft’s ability to handle the stress of maneuvers

an indication of an aircraft’s ability to react to pilot inputs

The most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up 78% of its composition.

The second most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up 21% of its composition.

Energy emitted by the sun in the form of electromagnetic waves.

The lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where weather occurs.

The boundary between the troposphere and the stratosphere.

The layer of Earth's atmosphere above the troposphere, where the ozone layer is located.

The layer of Earth's atmosphere above the stratosphere.

The outermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, where temperatures increase with altitude.

The force exerted by the weight of the air above a given point.

The mass of a substance per unit volume.

A set of standardized measurements used for comparison, including temperature and pressure.

The rate at which temperature decreases with an increase in altitude in the troposphere.

The height above sea level or ground level.

To adjust to a new environment or altitude over a period of time.

A type of wave that forms when an object moves faster than the speed of sound.

A loud noise produced when an object breaks the sound barrier.

An extension of a wing tip used to limit air from recirculating from the high pressure airflow below the wing to low pressure above the wing. This recirculation induces wing tip vortices and increases drag.

Point where weight of object is balanced

Aircraft with positive _________ returns to steady flight after disturbance

The orientation of an aircraft in relation to the horizon and other reference points, including pitch (nose up or down), roll (tilting left or right), and yaw (rotation left or right).

roll is controlled by the ailerons

pitch is controlled by the elevator

yaw is controlled by the rudder

• Left and right flaps lower

• Left aileron raises

• Right aileron lowers

• Flaps level lowered

When are flaps used?

Lower the elevator

To descent, the pilot reduces power and lowers the elevator to pitch down

To yaw the aircraft nose left, the rudder must deflect left.

Design affects lift and drag and other characteristics

• generates most lift

• improved pilot downward visibility

• high center of gravity

• pusher engine avoids introducing turbulence over wing

• Generates the least lift of the three

• generates list as a median between high and mid

• increased ground effect increases lift during takeoff

• limited pilot downward visibility

• Increased wing area generates more lift

• increased wing area generates more drag

• provide forward center of gravity

• improves pitch control

improves yaw control

• Three vertical stabilizers improve yaw control

• Could be needed to compensate for the limitation of other features

• Early versions of the design made it difficult for a pilot to control yaw

• Note the relative percentage of wing that is flap versus aileron.

• Rough field landing gear has smaller wheels to allow large shock absorbers

• Large shock absorbers

  • Absorb impact of a rough terrain

  • Propeller is above tall grass

• Soft field landing gear has large wheels to minimize sinking into terrain

The Boeing 777 engine is so large that it dwarfs the pilot seated in the engine inlet.

Aircraft may be designed or modified to perform specialty functions. This example is a Boeing 747 modified to transport a space shuttle. The image above is of the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour landing in Los Angeles in September, 2012.

Any surface that provides aerodynamic force through interaction with moving air - A structure having a shape that provides lift, propulsion, stability, or directional control in a flying object.

The upward force on a plane created by the redirection of airflow over an airfoil.

The principle that states that as the velocity of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases.

The tendency of fluid flow to attach to a convex surface, causing the flow to accelerate over the surface.

The change in fluid flow direction above and below an airfoil, with the circulatory flow adding to the overall speed of the air above the wing and subtracting from the speed below the wing.

Swirling tunnels of air that form on the wingtips of an aircraft, causing a decrease in lift and an increase in drag.

An imaginary line drawn between the leading edge and the trailing edge of an airfoil.

The curve of the upper and lower surfaces of an airfoil, which determines the airflow velocity on the surfaces.

Wing components, such as flaps, that increase the camber of the wings to increase lift and drag at slow speeds for takeoff and landing.

The angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the direction of the relative wind.

The shape or outline of an aircraft's wing when viewed from above.

The total surface area of the wing.

The distance from one wingtip to the other.

The average width of the wing from leading edge to trailing edge.

The system and process of coordinating the movement of air traffic to ensure aircraft stay at safe distances apart. (founded in 1958)

A complex system composed of airspace, airports, aircraft, pilots, air navigation facilities, and air traffic control facilities.

The government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation within the United States, including air traffic control.

A set of rules and procedures for flying an aircraft based on visual references and clear weather conditions.

A set of rules and procedures for flying an aircraft based on instrument navigation and communication with air traffic control.

A defined set of routes and legs that pilots follow when approaching or departing from an airport, including downwind, base, final, departure, and crosswind legs.

A system implemented by the FAA to proactively manage safety risks in the aviation industry.

Federal airways that connect airports and are primarily used by jet aircraft.

Federal airways that connect airports and are primarily used by non-jet aircraft.

Legislation passed in 1926 that established rules and regulations for civil aviation in the United States.

The first successful powered aircraft, designed and built by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903.

An American aviator who made the first solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927.

An American aviator who became the first woman to make a solo non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932.

The competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to achieve milestones in space exploration, such as the first satellite in orbit and the first human on the moon.

An American astronaut who became the first person to walk on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

The first artificial satellite launched into space by the Soviet Union in 1957.

A company involved in the development and launch of advanced rockets and spacecraft.

A type of aircraft known for its significant role in commercial aviation during the mid-20th century.