How Does it Function? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bernoulli's Principle

Most wings of an airplane have greater curvature at the top than the bottom. The air passing below the wing has a higher pressure than the air above the wing, where the air molecules move faster and are spread further apart. The higher pressure below the wing provides lift for an aircraft. The law was named after Swiss physicist Daniel Bernoulli (1700-1782), who formulated the principle.

Answer: Altimeter

The altimeter of an aircraft measures its height above the ground. The instrument is reliant on barometric pressure (air pressure) to function. As the aircraft climbs higher, the air pressure will decrease. While on the ground, air pressure will vary based on elevation and weather conditions.

The altimeter will have to be adjusted higher or lower in order to provide accurate altitude readings on the aircraft. The standard barometric setting for an altimeter on the ground and above 18,000 feet is 29.92 inches (1013 hectopascals).

Answer: Tune the transponder to code 1500

A transponder is a device that transmits a radio signal. It is used in order for air traffic controllers to establish a radar link to the aircraft. It will help the controller monitor the aircraft's speed, heading and altitude. They will assign a specific squawk code to a plane prior to travel.

There are a few standard codes, such as 1200/7000 (visual/uncontrolled flight US/EU), 7700 (emergency code) and 7500 (hijacked code).

Answer: The runway's heading relative to the magnetic north pole

A runway's number is determined by its direction relative to the magnetic north pole on a compass. For example an aircraft taking off of runway 9 will travel eastbound at a heading of roughly 90°. The same runway would be designated runway 27 (270°) at the opposite end. Since the magnetic north pole sometimes changes location, it may be necessary to renumber the runway over time.

The direction of the wind will determine which runway is used as aircraft usually takeoff towards the wind, rather than against it. Parallel runways will have a letter associated with it (L for left, R for right and C for center).

Answer: Turn the aircraft towards a way-point named MIKEY

Even though the sky seems like an open field, it is really not when it comes to aviation. There are often preset routes and way-points established in order to make sure airplanes don't collide with one another. These way-points are set coordinates in the sky, which are often given five letter names. You may see a MIKEY or a BILLY or something more obscure like XXYZX.

When an ATC controller tells the pilot to intercept MIKEY, he is telling the pilot to fly towards that particular way-point, which can be found on either the GPS (if equipped) or navigational chart.

Answer: Flywheel

There are several different devices that an aircraft will use for primary flight control (climb/pitch and roll/bank). Some aircraft use a yoke, a steering mechanism that looks almost like a steering wheel. Some planes, such as some fighter jets use a center-stick.

There are some planes, such as Airbus jets, that are controlled by side-sticks, joystick type devices mounted on either side of the cockpit.

Answer: Depress the left/right rudder pedals

A yaw is when an aircraft turns left or right while remaining level with the horizon. This is done by pressing down on the rudder pedals located on the floor of the cockpit. The rudder pedals can also be used to help steer the aircraft while it is on the ground.

Answer: Flaps

Flaps and slats are retractable surfaces found on the wings which are used to provide extra lift to aircraft at slow speeds. They are often lowered a few degrees before takeoff to give the aircraft the extra lift to safely takeoff, especially from short runways.

They are retracted after takeoff to allow the plane to reach higher speeds at higher altitudes. The flaps are also deployed as the aircraft reduces airspeed prior to approach in order to maintain lift.

Answer: Follow a standard terminal arrival route

A STAR is a standard terminal arrival route. It is a predetermined route developed by air traffic control to streamline arrivals into a certain airport. They are published as charts which the pilot keeps with him in the cockpit. They contain way-point, speed and altitude information relative to a specific runway at the arriving airport in order to keep traffic flowing safely and most efficiently.

These routes are determined by several factors, including natural and man-made obstacles, as well as local laws and ordinances regarding aircraft noise.

Answer: Pull up the nose just before touchdown

As the aircraft approaches the ground, it is important that the pilot flares the aircraft. This means bringing the nose up slightly so that the rear landing gear wheels touch the ground first. There are some planes where flaring is simply used to level off before touching the ground. Flaring an airplane slows its descent to allow for a smooth touchdown.