DGCA Technical General: Stability & Control Questions

172 exam-style Stability & Control 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 short period mode?

    • APilot induced oscillation.
    • BOscillation about the lateral axis.
    • COscillation about the longitudinal axis.
    • DOscillation about the normal axis.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Oscillation about the lateral axis.

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  2. Q2

    468.Dynamic stability is ___________at high altitude due to_____________aerodynamic damping

    • AIncreased, Reduced
    • BReduced; Reduced
    • CReduced, Increased
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Reduced; Reduced

    Dynamic stability is reduced at high altitude because the lower air density reduces aerodynamic damping. Disturbance-induced oscillations therefore die away more slowly than they would in the denser air at low level, even though static stability is essentially unchanged.

  3. Q3

    What is phugoid motion?

    • AShort period longitudinal oscillations.
    • BLong period longitudinal oscillations.
    • CLong period lateral oscillations.
    • DLong period yawing oscillations.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Long period longitudinal oscillations.

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  4. Q4

    Choose the correct statement: 1. AFT CG limit is set to ensure a minimum degree static longitudinal stability 2.. FWD CG limit is set to ensure a minimum degree of controllability under the worst circumstances

    • A1 is correct
    • B2 is correct
    • CBoth 1 & 2 are correct
    • DBoth 1 & 2 are incorrect
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. Both 1 & 2 are correct

    Both statements are correct: the aft centre of gravity limit is set so that a minimum acceptable degree of static longitudinal stability is always retained, while the forward limit guarantees sufficient elevator authority to control, rotate and flare the aircraft under the most demanding conditions.

  5. Q5

    Dynamic stability is ___________at high altitude due to _____________aerodynamic damping

    • AIncreased, reduced
    • BReduced, reduced
    • C Reduced, increased
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Reduced, reduced

    The thin air at high altitude produces much weaker aerodynamic damping forces for a given disturbance, so oscillations die away more slowly and dynamic stability is reduced.

  6. Q6

    Where is the aft C of G limit of an aircraft?

    • ABehind the neutral point.
    • BAhead of the neutral point.
    • COn the neutral point.
    • DOn the manoeuvre point.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Ahead of the neutral point.

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  7. Q7

    At what position on an aircraft must the C of G be to make it neutrally longitudinally stable during pull up manoeuvres?

    • AThe neutral point.
    • BThe transition point.
    • CThe aerodynamic centre.
    • DThe manoeuvre point.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D. The manoeuvre point.

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  8. Q8

    Which of the following contribute to lateral stability?

    • AAnhedral, sweepback, high wing, high fin.
    • BDihedral, sweepback, low wing, high fin.
    • CAnhedral, aspect ratio, high wing, ventral fin.
    • DDihedral, sweepback, high wing, high fin.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D. Dihedral, sweepback, high wing, high fin.

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  9. Q9

    472.Positive static stability is

    • AIf an A/C has a tendency to continue in the direction of disturbance
    • B If an A/C is subject to a disturbance and has neither the tendency to return nor the continue in the displacement direction
    • CIf an A/C is disturbed from equilibrium and has the tendency to return to equilibrium
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. If an A/C is disturbed from equilibrium and has the tendency to return to equilibrium

    Positive static stability means that when disturbed from equilibrium the aircraft generates forces and moments that initially tend to return it to its original condition; continuing in the direction of the disturbance would be negative stability, and doing neither is neutral.

  10. Q10

    What purpose is served by a dorsal fin at high sideslip angles?

    • ADecreases effectiveness of the fin in order to reduce lateral instability.
    • BDecreases effectiveness of the fin in order to reduce Dutch roll.
    • CIncreases effectiveness of the fin by increasing its area.
    • Dlncreases effectiveness of the fin by reducing its aspect ratio.
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D. lncreases effectiveness of the fin by reducing its aspect ratio.

    This Explanation is Coming Soon

  11. Q11

    416.The dihedral construction of an aircraft wing causes

    • Adirectional stability about the lateral axis
    • BLateral stability about the longitudinal axis
    • CLongitudinal stability about the lateral axis
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Lateral stability about the longitudinal axis

    Dihedral provides lateral stability, which acts about the longitudinal axis: in a sideslip the lower wing meets the relative airflow at a greater angle of attack, producing a rolling moment that restores the wings to level.

  12. Q12

    433.The disadvantage of "conventional" elevator and trim tabs is that the aircraft

    • ANose up pitch authority reduces with forward CG movement
    • BNose up pitch authority increase with forward CG movement
    • C There is no effect of CG movement to pitch
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. Nose up pitch authority reduces with forward CG movement

    With a conventional elevator and trim-tab arrangement, moving the CG forward increases the nose-down moment the elevator must overcome, so the available nose-up pitch authority, needed most in the landing flare, reduces as the CG moves forward.

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