GLIDER PILOT RECOMMENDATION PREP QUESTIONS
- CERTIFICATES, DOCUMENTS AND INSPECTIONS
1)Do you have to carry your pilot’s license with you every time you fly? Yes.
2)How long can you fly after changing your address without notifying the FAA? 30 days.
3)How do you notify the FAA if you change your address? Notify in writing: The Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Certification Branch, Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125.
4)Is a private pilot’s license permanent? Yes.
5)Can a private pilot share expenses? Yes. How much? Not specific but 50% is considered fair.
6)What are the medical requirements for a private pilot’s license with glider rating? Self-certification prior to each flight.
7)Do all flights in a glider have to be logged? No. Do any? Yes. If so, which ones? Flights required for currency and ratings must be logged.
8)Do you have to have a BFR if you don’t carry passengers? Yes. A BFR is required to fly solo in an aircraft.
9)What flights must be logged for a BFR check ride? 1 Hour of Ground School and 1 Hour of flight training or 3 flights.
10)What are the minimum requirements for a BFR? One hour of Ground School and three flights in which a 360 degree turn is made or one hour of flight training.
11)When does a BFR expire? At the end of the 24th calendar month following the last BFR.
12)Do you have to carry your log book when you fly? No. But student pilots must carry their logbook containing the required endorsements.
13)What documents must be on board an aircraft when you fly? (1) Airworthiness Certificate, (2) Aircraft Registration and (3) Aircraft Operations Specifications (Aircraft Operator’s Manual; placards etc.)
14)Is an Airworthiness Certificate permanent? Yes.
15)What is on the Registration Certificate? Name and address of the registered owner of the aircraft.
16)Do you have to have a radio license to fly? No.
17)Name some acceptable ways operating limitations can be aboard? Aircraft Operator’s Manual, placards, marking on ASI.
18)Where is the authoritative information regarding the operating limits of a glider found? Aircraft Operator’s Manual; placards.
19)What inspections must be performed on a glider? (1) An Annual Inspection, and (2) a 100 hour inspection if the glider is used for instruction.
20)Who can inform inspections? An FAA Certified Mechanic
21)Where can evidence of an inspection be found? In the aircraft’s logbook.
22)If you were the first to fly the glider after an annual inspection, how would you perform the preflight? Thorough preflight, including a positive control check.
23)Who is responsible for determining if the glider is airworthy? The pilot.
24)Who is responsible for maintaining the glider in airworthy condition? The owner.
- WEIGHT AND BALANCE AND AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE
1)What are the acceptable ways the weight and balance information can be on board? (1) Aircraft Operator’s Manual and (2) placards.
2)What two requirements must be satisfied for the glider’s weight and balance to be safe for flight? The weight must not exceed maximum allowed weight and the CG must be within stated limits.
3)Why is flight with an excessive aft CG dangerous? The pilot might not be able to lower the nose of the glider during stall recovery,
4)Why is flight with an excessive forward CG dangerous? The pilot might not be able to raise the nose during the landing flare.
5)If you exceed maximum gross weight, what could happen? The aircraft’s structural limits could be exceeded.
6)Student performs weight and balance calculations for the aircraft. Weight X Arm = Moment; total Moment divided by total Weight = CG.
7)What are the maximum and minimum weights for the front and rear seats of the aircraft? Grob-103: Front seat max is 242 lbs and minimum is 154 lbs. Rear seat max is 242lbs. and minimum is 0 lbs. (Note placard in cockpit gives weight ranges for use of ballast)
8)What is the maximum weight limit for the aircraft? Grob-103: 1,279 lbs.
9)What are the CG limits for the aircraft? Grob-103: 10.24 inches to 18.11 inches behind the datum.
10)What is the best L/D speed of the aircraft? Solo? Grob-103: 51 knots. Dual? Grob-103: 57 knots.
11)What is the best L/D ratio for the aircraft? Grob-103: 37:1.
12)How does weight affect the L/D speed of the glider? The speed at which the best L/D is achieved increases as the aircraft’s weight increases.
13)What is the minimum sink speed of the aircraft? Solo? Grob-103: 42 knots Dual? 46 knots.
14)What is minimum sink airspeed and when would you use it? The speed at which the glider loses the least amount of altitude over time. Fly minimum sink airspeed in lift or in still air if trying to maximize time aloft.
15)Is minimum sink airspeed the same during a coordinated, level turn as in straight flight? No. How is it different? Minimum sink airspeed increases as the wing loading increases.
16)How does minimum sink airspeed differ from best L/D speed? Minimum sink airspeed achieves the best performance over time, whereas best L/D airspeed achieves best performance over distance.
17)What is the sink rate of the aircraft at the best L/D speed? Grob-103 solo is 126fpm and dual is 138fpm.
18)At what speed should you fly the glider for best distance / altitude lost? Best L/D.
19)How would you adjust this speed for a headwind? Best L/D plus 50% of the headwind component.
20)How would you adjust this speed for a tailwind? Best L/D minus 50% of the tailwind component but never slower than minimum sink.
21)What is meant by “speeds to fly”? There is a “best speed to fly” for every maneuver; for example, there is a best speed to fly in the pattern, there is a best speed to fly in lift and in sink, between thermals, etc.
22)Summarize the “speeds to fly” concept in lift. In lift, fly minimum sink, adjusted for wing loading. Sink. In sink, fly the speed indicated on the MacCready Ring. This will be a faster speed than minimum sink speed. And heavy sink. Fly fast, as indicated by the MacCready Ring, in order to minimize exposure to sinking air.
23)What speed should you fly in lift? Minimum sink. In sink? The speed indicated by the MacCready Ring.
24)Explain how to use the MacCready Ring. Read the “speed to fly” from the MacCready Ring in sink. Fly minimum sink in lift.
25)How do you use the MacCready ring when flying between thermals? Read the speed to fly from the MacCready Ring.
26)How do you use the MacCready ring for flying the final glide back to the glider port? Fly the speed indicated on the MacCready ring, plus 50% of any headwind component.
27)Explain what is meant by the glider’s polar. Glider performance is represented as a comparison of speed vs. sink rate. When depicted on a graph, the performance curve is called “the polar.” The polar indicates the best speeds to fly under specific lift conditions. The MacCready Ring incorporates the glider’s polar curve into an easy to read “instrument” that can be used to determine the best speeds to fly in current conditions.
28)What are the two kinds of ballast and what are they used for? (1)Weight (ballast) is added ahead of the CG to compensate for a pilot, who weighs less than the minimum front seat weight requirement, and (2) Water ballast is loaded into wing tanks to increase the speed at which the glider will achieve best L/D.
29)What is the main purpose of water ballast? Improve cruise performance between thermals.
30)Is it okay to land with water ballast? Check the aircraft’s Operator’s Manual but generally the answer is “No.”
31)What is the stall speed of the aircraft with dive brakes retracted? Grob-103: 41 knots. With dive brakes deployed? Grob-103: 46 knots.
32)What happens to the stall speed of the aircraft when the glider is flown in a coordinated turn? The increased wing loading results in an increase in the stall speed.
33)What is the maximum aerotow speed of the glider? Grob-103: 92 knots.
34)What speed is Va? Design maneuvering speed (Grob-103: 92 knots).
35)What is the fastest speed this glider can be flown into turbulent air? Grob-103: 92 knots.
36)What is the fastest speed at which full control deflections can be made without causing structural damage to the glider? Va – Grob-103: 92 knots.
37)What is the maximum demonstrated crosswind component of the glider? Grob-103: 11 knots.
- WEATHER
1)What are NOTAMS? Notices to Airmen. Who should be concerned about a NOTAM? All pilots and aircraft operators.
2)What is a SIGMET? Significant Meteorological Information. Who should be concerned about a SIGMET? All pilots and aircraft operators.
3)What is an AIRMET? Airman’s Meteorological Information. Who should be concerned about an AIRMET? Pilots and operators of smaller aircraft.
4)How do you get SIGMETS and AIRMETS? SIGMETS and AIRMETS can be obtained from FSS, telephone, in person or radio briefings, as well as through TWEBs.
5)What is a CONVECTIVE SIGMET? Convective SIGMETS provide information on large areas of severe thunderstorms, squall lines, embedded thunderstorms and tornadoes. SIGMETs also are issued for hail ¾ inch or greater in diameter, low-level wind shear, severe turbulence and sever icing.
6)What type of dangers do thunderstorms present? Turbulence, rain, hail, micro bursts, wind shear, lightening, etc. What is a safe distance form a thunderstorm? 5+ miles. Why? Hail can be thrown up to 5 miles from a thunderstorm.
7)What is pressure lapse rate? The rate at which atmospheric pressure decreases with an increase in altitude. How much is it? A decrease ofca. 1 inch of mercury for every 1,000 feet of altitude gain. What is the air pressure at sea level? 29.92 inches of mercury or 1013.2 millibars.
8)What is temperature lapse rate? The change in temperature as altitude is increased. .How much is it? 3.5 degrees F / 2 degrees C ( Note: this is not an absolute)
9)What is standard temperature at sea level? 59 degrees F or 15 degrees C.
10)What is density altitude? Density altitude is an index of aircraft performance under a given set of conditions. These conditions include actual height above sea level, temperature and humidity.
11)How does density altitude affect aircraft performance? Aircraft performance decreases with an increase in density altitude.
12)Is density altitude an issue at Caddo Mills? Yes. When? Summer.
13)How does humidity affect density altitude? It increases density altitude and degrades aircraft performance.
14)What does the dry adiabatic lapse rate mean? The rate at which heated air is cooled as it rises.
15)How much is the dry adiabatic lapse rate? 5.5 degrees F or 3 degrees C.
16)Why is the dry adiabatic lapse rate important to glider pilots? It allows us to calculate the relative strength and height of thermal development. When the temperature at any given level is known, it can be compared to the projected temperature based on the DALR and thermal height can be projected.
17)What is a thermal? A column of rising air.
18)Where might you find a thermal on a cross country flight? Beneath or slightly upwind of a cumulus cloud or just downwind of a plowed field or parking lot.
19)What is the thermal index? An index of thermal height and intensity, calculated by comparing temperature soundings at given altitudes with the temperatures projected using the Dry Adiabatic Lapse Rate.
20)Which are better for soaring: positive or negative numbers? Negative numbers indicate atmospheric instability and thus good soaring conditions.
21)How is a thermal index calculated? ? Subtract the projected temperature of the lifted air mass from the actual temperature soundings at any given altitude.
22)How do you calculate the thermal index? Subtract the temperature of the lifted air mass (-5.5 degrees / 1,000 ft. - DALR) from the temperature sounding for a given altitude.
23)What is the temperature / dew point convergence rate? 4.4 degrees F per 1,000 feet.
24)What is atmospheric instability? In contrast to stable air, that resists upward and downward displacement, unstable atmospheric conditions allow vertical disturbances to grow into convective currents.
25)What energy source triggers most thermals? The sun.
26)What is a thermal street? Thermals form in lines, usually parallel to the direction of the wind. These lines of thermals are called “thermal streets.” A cloud street? When the amount of humidity in the air is sufficient to produce cumulus clouds at the tops of thermals, the resulting line of clouds is called a “cloud street.”
27)What do you look for in a cloud for good thermaling? Sharp edges and a dark, concave base, indicating rising air.
28)What do the following cloud prefixes mean? Alto? “High.” Cumulus? “Heap.” Cirro? “Thin.” Stratus? “Layered.” Lenticular? “Lense-shapped.” Rotor? “Spinning.”
29)What is a squall line? A fast moving, narrow band of intense weather. Is it dangerous? Yes.
30)What causes Lenticular clouds? Condensation formed as air is lifted by Mountain Wave.
31)What marks the beginning stages of a thunderstorm? Updrafts forming from the earth’s surface, extending to the condensation point, where the cumulus cloud forms.
32)Can Mountain Wave be present if there are no lenticular clouds? Yes.
33)On which side of a mountain range would you find “wave”? On the lee side of the mountain range.
34)What are some dangers associated with “wave”? (1) Severe turbulence associated with the rotor, (2) Clouds forming beneath the glider, possibly trapping the glider “on top,” (3) sub-zero temperatures, (4) all hazards associated with high-altitude flying, including hypoxia.
35)If you saw a layer of clouds closing beneath you what would you do? Descend immediately.
36)What is a stationary front? When air masses of equal pressure meet, they do not move and are known as stationary fronts.
37)What is ridge lift? Lift caused by an air mass being pushed up and over a ridge line. Where would you find it? On the upwind side of a ridge.
38)What are some hazards associated with ridge lift? (1) Flight in close proximity of the ridge, (2) sinking air on the lee of the ridge.
39)What conditions must exist for “wave” and / or ridge lift to exist? Steady winds of sufficient speed (usu. 15 knots or greater), blowing approximately perpendicular to the ridge. If wind direction exceeds ca. 30 degrees of perpendicular, then there may be no ridge lift.
40)Is a rotor cloud dangerous? Yes.
41)If you planned a cross country flight and then discovered that embedded thunderstorms were forecast along your route of flight, what would you do? Cancel or postpone the flight.
42)What is a temperature inversion? Warm air over the top of colder air.
- FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
1)What is magnetic variation? The angle formed by the different positions of the “true” north pole and the magnetic north pole as viewed from the compass in the aircraft.
2)How is magnetic variation shown on an aeronautical chart? Isogonic lines.
3)What is magnetic deviation? Compass errors resulting from magnetic fields or electrical disturbances in the vicinity of the compass. What are some causes of variation? Magnets, radios, aircraft instruments, etc.
4)When is a magnetic compass reliable? During an unaccelerated, straight glide.
5)What are the two types of compass errors and what causes them? (1) Turning Error, most pronounced when turning to or from heading of N or S. When turning from a N heading, the compass initially indicates a turn in the wrong direction; when turning form a S heading, the compass initially shows a turn in the correct direction but at an accelerated rate. (2) Acceleration / Deceleration Errors occur when an aircraft increases or decreases speed and are most pronounced on an E or W heading. When accelerating, the compass shows a turn to the N and when decelerating, the compass shows a turn to the S.
6)What is an inclinometer? Also called a “slip indicator,” it shows slips and skids.
7)During a right turn, the ball moves right of center. Which rudder do you press? Right rudder.
8)What does the yaw string show you? The direction of the relative wind with respect to the glider.
9)In a left turn, the tail of the yaw string is left of center. What do you do to center the yaw string? Reduce left rudder pressure.
10)In a left turn, the tail of the yaw string is left of center. What kind of turn is it? A skidding turn.
11)In a right turn, the tail of the yaw string is left of center. What do you do? Increase right rudder pressure.
12)In a left turn, the tail of the yaw string is right of center. What do you do? Increase left rudder pressure.
13)In a left turn, the tail of the yaw string is right of center. What kind of turn is it? A slip.
14)In a forward slip with the right wing low and the left rudder applied, which way will the yaw string be deflected? To the left.
15)When the yaw string indicates a skidding turn and the glider’s nose is high with respect to the horizon, what can happen? A stall with auto-rotation (spin).
16)On final approach with a right crosswind and using a crab for drift control, where will the yaw string be positioned? The yaw string will be centered. A crab is coordinated flight.
17)What is measured by the air speed indicator? Impact air pressure.