Aircraft Systems I Trivia Quiz

Answer: Skid detectors

The skid detectors are sensors that sense when the wheel is not turning, therefore eases up on the hydraulic pressure going to that particular brake assembly. It happens very rapidly, applying pressure, relieving it, applying pressure, relieving it, etc.

Answer: Fully powered

The fully powered system uses linear actuators to move the primary flight controls. Most of these systems use tandem actuators which have two seperate hydraulic systems flowing through them. In the event of a hydraulic system failure, the second side of the actuator still is being powered by the remaining hydraulic system.

Answer: Cyclic stick

The cyclic stick usually located between the pilot's legs is moved left and right to make the aircraft 'roll' to the left or right.

Answer: Shuttle valve

The shuttle valve is an automatically controlled valve that shuts off the flow of hydraulic fluid to non-essential items to allow control of the flight controls for whatever time the fluid and pressure lasts.

Answer: Flaps

There are 3 primary flight controls in which an aircraft needs to fly. Flaps are termed as a secondary flight control or 'luxury' which only allows the aircraft to take-off and land at slower speeds.

Answer: Stabilator

An aircraft that does not have an elevator which is a small area that hinges upward and downward on the tail of the aircraft and provides climbing and descending capabilities has an stabilator instead. A stabilator provides much more surface for the air to grab to make the aircraft pitch up or down. Very few aircraft have an elevator and a stabilator together.

Answer: Wet sump / Dry sump

Even with automobiles and race cars there are two types of oil tanks. The wet sump tank means that the oil is being stored inside the engine as most commercial autos have with the oil pan, while the dry sump tank indicates that the oil is being stored outside the engine in a seperate tank.

Answer: One rotor / One stator

One rotor in addition to one stator make up one stage of compression. The large high bypass turbofan jet engines can have 20 sets of rotors and stators which create a tremendous amount of low pressure high volume compressed air.

Answer: Negative pressure relief valve

The negative pressure relief valve is a valve that senses when there is negative pressure in a fuel tank which if not corrected, the tank will collapse. When this occurs, it automatically vacuums air in from the outside air to create a positive pressure within the fuel tank to keep from imploding. Implosion effects are created by the rapid change to cold temperatures.

Answer: Molded pieces to enhance aerodynamics

Fairing are molded pieces of numerous composites such as rubber, plastic, fiberglass, metal, or whatever that creates a smooth surface for components that stick out in the airways that create drag on an aircraft. Fairing allows the air to move over the item smoothly cutting down on the drag effect.