Apply Aviation Knowledge - Air Force Officer Qualifying Test AFOQT

1. What is the aerodynamic definition of lift?

   Force perpendicular to relative wind, generated by the wing. This direction opposes gravity to sustain flight by creating a pressure difference over the airfoil.

2. Which control surface primarily controls yaw about the vertical axis?

   Rudder. Provides side force to correct or induce rotation around the vertical axis.

3. Which option best defines the term "aileron" in aircraft control?

   Wing trailing-edge surface that controls roll. Deflects to alter lift distribution, facilitating lateral control.

4. Which wing surface increases lift by increasing wing camber?

   Flaps. They allow slower flight speeds during takeoff and landing by enhancing airfoil efficiency.

5. What is the aerodynamic definition of drag?

   Force parallel and opposite to relative wind. It resists motion through the air, arising from friction and pressure differences.

6. Which instrument indicates the rate of climb or descent?

   Vertical speed indicator (VSI). Measures pressure changes in the static system to show altitude rate.

7. What is the standard drag equation used in basic aerodynamics?

   $D=\frac{1}{2}\rho V^2 S C_D$. Calculates drag using air density, velocity, reference area, and drag coefficient.

8. Which option best defines the term "spoiler" on a wing?

   Surface that disrupts lift and increases drag. Deployed to reduce wing lift asymmetrically or increase drag for descent control.

9. What is angle of attack (AOA) on an airfoil?

   Angle between chord line and relative wind. Critical for lift generation, it determines the airflow behavior over the airfoil.

10. What is the standard lift equation used in basic aerodynamics?

    $L=\frac{1}{2}\rho V^2 S C_L$. Quantifies lift based on air density, velocity, wing area, and lift coefficient.

11. What is induced drag primarily associated with?

    Lift production and wingtip vortices. Results from the energy required to produce lift, increasing with angle of attack.

12. Which instrument indicates aircraft attitude relative to the horizon?

    Attitude indicator. Provides pitch and roll information for maintaining controlled flight in low visibility.

13. What is the chord line of an airfoil?

    Straight line from leading edge to trailing edge. Serves as a reference for measuring angle of attack and airfoil geometry.

14. Which control surface primarily controls pitch about the lateral axis?

    Elevator (or stabilator). Adjusts tail downforce to rotate the aircraft nose up or down.

15. What is parasite drag primarily associated with?

    Aircraft shape and skin friction (form, interference, skin drag). Independent of lift, it increases with speed and affects fuel efficiency.

16. What is the aerodynamic definition of thrust?

    Force that propels the aircraft forward. Generated by engines or propellers, it overcomes drag to enable forward movement.

17. Which control surface primarily controls roll about the longitudinal axis?

    Ailerons. Differential deflection creates uneven lift on wings, enabling banking turns.

18. What is the camber of an airfoil?

    Curvature of the mean line between leading and trailing edges. Contributes to lift by accelerating airflow over the upper surface of the wing.

19. Which aircraft component provides longitudinal stability and supports the elevator?

    Horizontal stabilizer (tailplane). Counters pitching moments to maintain stable flight attitudes.

20. What is the aerodynamic definition of weight in flight?

    Force of gravity acting on the aircraft mass. It acts downward, balancing lift in level flight and influencing aircraft performance.

21. Identify the term for the speed at which the airflow becomes sonic locally on the airframe.

    Critical Mach number. Marks the onset of compressibility effects, limiting high-speed performance.

22. What is the definition of boundary layer on an airfoil?

    Thin layer of airflow adjacent to the surface affected by viscosity. Influences drag and stall characteristics due to friction slowing the air near the surface.

23. What is the definition of stall in aerodynamics?

    Loss of lift from airflow separation at excessive AOA. Occurs when boundary layer separates, reducing pressure differential across the wing.

24. Which aircraft component provides directional stability and supports the rudder?

    Vertical stabilizer (fin). Resists yawing motions to keep the aircraft aligned with the flight path.

25. What is the definition of Mach number?

    Ratio of true airspeed to local speed of sound. Used to classify flight regimes, from subsonic to supersonic.

Study these flashcards