Transcript Sport Pilot Training Program

Pre-Solo Training Program
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Airspeed Control
In cooperation with Mid Island Air
Service, Inc. Brookhaven, NY
(Michael Bellenir, CFI)
Lesson 2 Objectives
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During this briefing, we will review the fundamentals of
basic flight, and basic flight maneuvers. You will learn
how airspeed changes affect aircraft performance and
handling characteristics, how to change airspeeds during
flight, and constant airspeed climbs and descents. The
effect of flaps and slow flight will also be introduced.
Upon completion of this briefing, you will practice slow
flight and constant airspeed climbs and descents, study
the effect of flaps, and demonstrate proper use of flaps in
takeoff and landing.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Effect of airspeed on handling
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Airspeed has a great effect on aircraft handling
characteristics.
At high airspeeds, flight controls will be more
effective.
At low airspeeds, flight controls will be less effective,
more control deflection is required for aircraft
response.
Aircraft will handle differently in cruising flight than
on approach to landing.
LSAs can typically operate as speeds low enough
that the controls essentially lose effectiveness
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Effect of airspeed on performance
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The amount of lift and drag on an aircraft
vary exponentially with airspeed.
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Doubling airspeed will quadruple amount of lift.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Relationship between speed and drag.
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There are two main types of drag:
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Induced drag: The drag created as a by-product
of lift. Induced drag is highest at low speed, and
decreases as airspeed increases
Parasitic drag: The drag produced by turbulent
airflow around aircraft structures. Parasitic drag
is lowest at low speed, and increases as airspeed
increases.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Relationship between speed and drag.
There is one
airspeed at which
the total drag on
the airplane will be
minimal. This
speed is typically
used to climb the
fastest or glide the
farthest.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Relationship between power and drag.
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At different speeds, there are different
amounts of drag on the airplane, therefore
different airspeeds require different power
settings to overcome drag and maintain
airspeed and/or altitude.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Relationship between power and drag.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Airspeed and “Regions of Command”
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The Power/Airspeed relationship is an important
concept. One power setting can yield two different
airspeeds depending on which side of the
power/drag curve you are on.
In the “Region of Normal Command” (ahead of the
power curve), to fly faster more power is required to
overcome increasing parasite drag.
In the “Region of Reversed Command” (behind the
power curve), to fly any slower requires more power
to overcome increasing induced drag.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Airspeed and “Regions of Command”
Power must be
increased to maintain a
slower airspeed to
overcome increased
induced drag
Power must be
increased to
increase speed to
overcome
increased parasite
drag.
One power setting can
yield two speeds
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Airspeed Stability in Region of Normal
Command (Ahead of power curve)
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The natural relationship between airspeed and drag
gives the airplane a natural tendency to maintain an
airspeed specific to its power setting; the airplane will
attempt to maintain a constant speed.
If the airplane gets faster than the airspeed that the
power is set for, then the increasing drag will cause it
to slow down; if the airplane slows down below the
airspeed the power is set for, the reducing drag will
cause it to speed up.
When flying ahead of the power curve, the airplane
will be more naturally stable.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Airspeed Stability in Region of Reversed
Command (Behind power curve)
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The airplane will not be as naturally stable when in
the Region of Reversed Command (behind the
power curve).
If the airspeed increases above the airspeed for
which the power is set, induced drag will decrease
and cause the airplane to continue to increase its
speed.
If the airspeed decreases below the airspeed for
which the power is set, induced drag will increase
and cause the airplane to slow down further
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Airspeed Stability
If airspeed changes without
power change, it will tend
to return to the initial speed
to balance power and drag.
Keeping the aircraft in trim
enhances this natural
tendency! (Static
longitudinal stability
enhanced, aircraft returns
to trimmed condition)
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Relationship Between Pitch and
Airspeed
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Just like power changes affect airspeed,
changing the airplane’s pitch attitude will also
have an effect on its airspeed.
Bringing the nose up will cause a decrease in
airspeed.
Lowering the nose will cause an increase in
airspeed.
These changes in speed are the simply
caused by gravity acting on the aircraft.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Pitch and Power
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Increasing the pitch will also increase the
amount of lift created by the wing (to a point).
This will cause the airplane to climb and
result in decreasing speed.
Lowering the pitch will decrease the lift
created by the wing and cause the airplane
to descend and possibly increase speed
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Pitch and Power
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To control an airplane precisely and maintain both a
specific airspeed and a specific altitude, a pilot
needs to coordinate the airplane’s pitch and power
settings together to get the desired results.
To maintain constant lift, as airspeed is reduced,
pitch must be increased. The most precise method
of controlling flight path is to use pitch control while
simultaneously using power to control airspeed. A
change in pitch will require a change in power, and
vice versa.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Constant Airspeed Climbs
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The ability of an airplane to climb is
dependent on how much power it has. If an
airplane has more power than it needs to
hold its altitude, it will be able to climb.
The more excess power an airplane has the
faster it will be able to climb.
An important skill a pilot must develop is the
ability to climb at a specific airspeed.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Constant Airspeed Climbs
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To climb at a specific airspeed, increase
power to a level above that required for level
flight, then use the pitch control to maintain
the desired airspeed.
If the airplane is too fast, increase the pitch.
If the airplane is too slow, reduce the pitch.
To increase the climb rate, increase power.
To reduce the climb rate, decrease power.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Constant Airspeed Descents
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If the power is reduced below the level required
to maintain altitude, the airplane will descend.
To descend at a specific airspeed, reduce the
power below the power setting required for
level flight.
To reduce airspeed, increase the pitch; to
increase airspeed reduce the pitch.
To increase the descent rate, reduce the power
To decrease the descent rate, add power.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Flap Aerodynamics
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Flaps alter the performance of the wing by
physically changing its shape.
There are different types of flaps, each with its
own set of aerodynamic principles.
Generally speaking, flaps increase both lift and
drag.
Flaps also typically reduce the stalling speed of
an airplane, allowing it to fly slower.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Types of Flaps
Piper Cub
Evektor Sport Star
Tecnam Sierra/Eaglet
Most Airliners
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Using the Flaps
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Flaps can be used by an airplane to descend at a steeper
angle or increase the descent rate without increasing
speed. (Used on approach to landing)
Flaps can also be used to generate extra lift to help the
airplane get off the ground sooner (Used on takeoff)
Prior to extending flaps, ensure the airplane is at a safe
speed for flap extension (white arc on airspeed indicator)
The maximum speed that the flaps can be extended at is
referred to as VFE (top of white arc)
At speeds above VFE, aerodynamic pressure could cause
damage to the flaps.
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Review Questions
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Which kind of drag increases with airspeed? Decreases?
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What is another term for “region of reversed command?”
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At what airspeeds are controls least effective?
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Which kind of flaps does the SportStar have?
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Which do flaps increase: lift or drag?
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How is airspeed controlled in a constant airspeed climb or descent?
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How is maximum flap speed indicated?
Write down your answers before
continuing to next slide
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Review Answers
Which kind of drag increases with airspeed? Decreases?
Parasitic / Induced
 What is another term for “region of reversed command?”
behind the power curve
 At what airspeeds are controls least effective?
at low airspeeds
 Which kind of flaps does the SportStar have?
split flaps
 Which do flaps increase: lift or drag?
Both!
 How is airspeed controlled in a constant airspeed climb or descent?
with pitch (elevator control)
 How is maximum flap speed indicated?
Top of white arc
Review any missed questions before
Flight Briefing: Lesson
continuing to today’s flight.
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2
On Today’s Flight
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We will practice holding headings and
altitudes and making turns.
We will study the effect of airspeed on
performance and handling.
We will practice flying the airplane at different
speeds, including slow flight (behind the
power curve).
We will study the effects of flaps
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2
Today in the Traffic Pattern
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Try to climb out a specific climb speed after
takeoff (constant airspeed climb).
Try to descend at a specific speed on
approach to landing (constant airspeed
descent).
Extend the flaps properly for takeoff and
landing
Thanks to Mid Island Air Service, Inc.
Brookhaven, NY (Michael Bellenir, CFI)
Flight Briefing: Lesson 2