DGCA Technical General: Flying Controls Questions

213 exam-style Flying Controls questions for the DGCA Technical Generalpaper (CPL & ATPL). The first 12 are free below with answers and explanations — sign up free to practise all of them with progress tracking.

  1. Q1

    What is the purpose of inboard ailerons

    • A To reduce wing bending at high speed
    • B To reduce wing twisting at low speed
    • C To reduce wing bending at low speed
    • D To reduce wing twist at high speed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D. To reduce wing twist at high speed

    Inboard ailerons are located near the wing root where the structure is torsionally stiff, so they remain effective at high speed where outboard ailerons would twist the flexible outer wing and risk aileron reversal. Their purpose is therefore to avoid wing twist at high speed, the outboard ailerons being locked out in that regime.

  2. Q2

    Which is the correct statement regarding a large aircraft fitted with both inboard and outboard ailerons.

    • A The outboard ailerons are used only when the landing gear is selected down
    • B The outboard ailerons are used only when the landing gear is retracted
    • C The inboard ailerons are used only when the flaps are retracted
    • D The inboard ailerons are only used when the flaps are extended
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. The inboard ailerons are used only when the flaps are retracted

    On large aircraft the inboard ailerons work at all times but the outboard ailerons are locked out at high speed to avoid twisting the flexible wing, being brought into use only at low speed with the flaps extended. The distinguishing feature is thus tied to the flap position governing which ailerons are active.

  3. Q3

    What control inputs are required to maintain airspeed a d altitude when turning in a jet aircraft?

    • AIncrease thrust and angle of attack.
    • BIncrease turn radius and decrease thrust.
    • CIncrease pitching angle.
    • DIncrease bank angle.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. Increase thrust and angle of attack.

    This Explanation is Coming Soon

  4. Q4

    What is the purpose of trim tabs

    • A To reduce stick forces in manoeuvres
    • B To reduce stick holding forces to zero
    • CTo increase control effectiveness
    • D To reduce control effectiveness
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. To reduce stick holding forces to zero

    A trim tab is set to hold a control surface in the position the pilot wants, relieving the steady stick or wheel force so the pilot no longer has to apply a holding load. Correctly trimmed, the control-holding force is reduced to zero.

  5. Q5

    How do differential ailerons work

    • A Increase lift on down going wing and decrease lift on up going wing
    • B Increase drag on up going wing and decrease drag on down going wing
    • CEqualise the drag on up going and down going wings
    • D Equalise the lift on up going and down going wings
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Equalise the drag on up going and down going wings

    Differential ailerons deflect the up-going aileron through a larger angle than the down-going one, so the extra drag from the raised aileron balances the induced drag of the lowered aileron on the other wing. Equalising the drag on the two wings reduces adverse yaw during roll.

  6. Q6

    Torsional aileron flutter involves?

    • Ac of G aft of hinge line and cyclic twisting of wings.
    • BC of G aft of C of P and cyclic twisting of wings.
    • CC of P fwd of torsional axis and cyclic twisting of wings.
    • DNone of the above.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. c of G aft of hinge line and cyclic twisting of wings.

    This Explanation is Coming Soon

  7. Q7

    412.About which axis is roll achieved?

    • A The horizontal axis
    • BThe vertical axis
    • CThe longitudinal axds
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. The longitudinal axds

    Roll is rotation about the longitudinal axis, the line running from nose to tail through the centre of gravity, and it is produced by the ailerons.

  8. Q8

    How do aircraft spoilers work?

    • A Lower surfaces only, symmetrical and asymmetrical operation
    • B Lower surfaces only, symmetrical operation
    • CUpper surfaces only, symmetrical and asymmetrical operation
    • D Upper surfaces only, symmetrical operation
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Upper surfaces only, symmetrical and asymmetrical operation

    Spoilers are hinged panels on the upper wing surface only. Raised together (symmetrically) they act as speed brakes and lift dumpers, and raised on one wing (asymmetrically) they assist roll, so they operate both symmetrically and asymmetrically.

  9. Q9

    Flexural aileron flutter involves?

    • AC of G aft of the hinge line and cyclic bending of wings.
    • BC of G aft of C of P and cyclic twisting of wings.
    • CC of p fwd of torsional axis and cyclic twisting of wings.
    • DNone of the above.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. C of G aft of the hinge line and cyclic bending of wings.

    This Explanation is Coming Soon

  10. Q10

    248. Advantage of the fly by wire (FBW) over conventional flying control system is

    • Ait is light and does not require the heavy control cable
    • B low weight leads to better fuel consumption
    • Cboth of the above
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. both of the above

    Fly-by-wire replaces heavy runs of control cables, rods and pulleys with light electrical signalling, and that saving in weight translates directly into better fuel consumption, so both advantages apply.

  11. Q11

    If an artificial feel unit were fitted it would be connected

    • A In parallel with the primary controls
    • B In series with the primary controls
    • CIn series with the secondary controls
    • D In parallel with the secondary controls
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. In parallel with the primary controls

    An artificial feel unit is fitted in parallel with the primary flight controls in a powered system, so that it generates a resistance the pilot feels proportional to control deflection and airspeed without interrupting the signal path to the surfaces.

  12. Q12

    Swept back wings are ........ to divergence?

    • AMore prone.
    • BLess prone.
    • CNever prone.
    • DNone of the above.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Less prone.

    This Explanation is Coming Soon

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