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Brainteasers
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Aug. 17, 2009

Brainteasers
Interactive Quiz #145:
Speed and Altitude

Go fast, go high. But before you reach beyond the surly bonds, make sure you know the territory or at least the terminology by acing this quiz.

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the questions as best you can, then click on the "Score my quiz answers" button to see your score and read the explanations. If you don't like your score the first time around, you can change some of your answers and resubmit. To get the most out of this quiz, we suggest you keep trying until you get a perfect score.

NOTE: When more than one answer is true, only the most complete, correct answer will be scored as correct. The answers are assumed to apply within the United States unless otherwise noted.

1. Every pilot is either instrument rated or working on the rating. At least it seems that way in the pilot's lounge. So, when filing an IFR flight plan, you need to tell the briefer how fast you'll cruise through the NAS (National Airspace System). What type of speed should you file? (FAA Flight Plan Form 7233-1, block 4)
a. Ground speed (GS)
b. True airspeed (TAS)
c. Indicated airspeed (IAS)
d. Calibrated airspeed (CAS)
2. Because air density increases as altitude increases, a pilot can expect to see CAS on the airspeed indicator decrease as IAS increases for any given TAS. (Assume calm winds.)
a. True
b. False
3. Higher and faster: Time to transition to jets, where speed is often referred to by the guttural term, "Mach." Which definition best defines Mach?
a. The ratio or percentage of the TAS to the speed of sound
b. The ratio or percentage of the IAS to the speed of sound
c. The ratio or percentage of the CAS to the speed of sound
d. The ratio or percentage of the TAS to the speed of light squared
4. There are many types of altitudes: density altitude, absolute altitude, and busted altitude, among others. Define true altitude:
a. The vertical distance above the standard pressure plane (29.92 inches of mercury).
b. The vertical distance above ground level.
c. The horizontal distance above sea level.
d. The vertical distance above sea level.
5. Scenario: You're planning a 500-mile IFR trip on a magnetic course of 238 degrees. You'll climb to 6000 feet MSL, level off for 110 miles, and then climb to 10,000 feet. When filing your flight plan, what cruising altitude(s) should you file? (FAA Flight Plan Form 7233-1, block 7)
a. 6000
b. 10,000
c. 6,000B10,000
d. OTP
6. Not all pilots fly IFR airplanes along well-defined routes. Some prefer to float with the wind like stray thoughts on a summer evening. Let's fire up the propane burner; but before you cast off the lines of your hot air balloon, complete this thought: The vertical distance your basket hovers above the terrain is known as:
a. Absolution altitude
b. Density altitude
c. Indicated altitude
d. Absolute altitude
7. Service ceiling is not the height at which your cell phone loses reception. Instead, service ceiling is defined as:
a. The highest altitude at which an aircraft can maintain a steady rate of climb of 100 fpm.
b. The highest altitude at which an aircraft can maintain a steady rate of climb of 200 fpm.
c. The highest altitude at which an aircraft can maintain a steady rate of climb of 500 fpm.
d. The highest altitude at which an aircraft can maintain a steady rate of climb of 1000 fpm.
8. Ever notice that as altitude increases the speed for best angle of climb (VX) increases, and the speed for best rate of climb (VY) decreases? That's not your quiz question, although we can see you nodding your head. Instead, answer this: What term defines the point at which these two speeds (VX and VY) meet?
a. True ceiling
b. Performance ceiling
c. Absolute ceiling
d. L/DMax ceiling
9. All quests for upper air must begin on the ground (Berge's Principle). Before ever leaving the ramp, multi-engine pilots—plus anyone taking this quiz—need to complete this sentence: Accelerate-stop distance is ... (Note: VR means rotation speed, and VLOF means lift-off speed.)
a. The horizontal distance required to continue the takeoff and climb to 50 feet, assuming an engine failure at VR or VLOF, as specified by the manufacturer
b. The total length required to accelerate to a specified speed (either VR or VLOF, as specified by the manufacturer), experience an engine failure, and bring the airplane to a complete stop
c. The vertical distance required to continue the takeoff and climb to 50 feet, assuming an engine failure at VR or VLOF, as specified by the manufacturer
d. The runway length required to accelerate to a specified speed (either VR or VLOF, as specified by the manufacturer), experience an engine failure, and bring the airplane to a complete stop
10. Let's return to the high-altitude jet crowd and define Mach buffet:
a. Airflow separation preceding a shock-wave pressure barrier caused by airflow over flight surfaces exceeding the speed of sound
b. Airflow separation behind a shock-wave pressure barrier caused by airflow over flight surfaces exceeding the speed of sound
c. Airflow separation behind a shock-wave pressure barrier caused by airflow over flight surfaces exceeding VNE
d. An elaborate self-serve meal served in first class in the flight levels (at or above 17,999 feet MSL)

If you enjoyed taking this interactive quiz and would like to see more like it, go to the AVweb Brainteaser page. And if you thought it was unfair, confusing, or a waste of time, we'd like you to tell us that, too. And if you have an idea for a subject that you think would make a good future Brainteaser quiz, be sure to let us know.

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