AVweb Quiz #171: Take a Flying Vacation

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May 7, 2012

Interactive Quiz #171:
Take a Flying Vacation

School's out for summer, Alice, but the testing continues. And no pilot shall be left behind in the drive for the perfect summer flying vacation, provided you answer these 10 ... no, make that 11 ... questions.

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. Two threats exist to enjoying warm weather flying: thunderstorms and federal regulations. One is a vicious mass of turbulence and wind, while the other is just a tall, rainy cloud with lightning and hail. Both command respect. You can circumnavigate thunderstorms or wait until they blow themselves out. But you ain't goin' nowhere this summer operating as a private pilot PIC in your Cirrus SR22 or Cessna 140 without a valid medical certificate. If you're under age 40, a third-class medical certificate is good for how many months?
a. 12
b. 24
c. 60
d. 72

2. Imagine a bright, summer morning with the sun peeking over the control tower. You've got the family loaded into the Stinson Station Wagon and are headed out on vacation. As soon as you fuel up, of course. According to FAR 91.151, when operating in VFR conditions, you must carry "... enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing [Ed: seems smart] and, assuming normal cruising speed - (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least (_____) minutes; or (2) At night, to fly after that for at least (_____) minutes.
a. 30, 45
b. 45, 60
c. 20, 30
d. 30, 60

3. For most pilots, with the passing of the winter flying season, structural icing becomes a diminished concern. Induction icing, specifically carburetor icing, can be a threat even when the OAT (outside air temperature) is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) and:
a. Relative humidity is low.
b. Relative humidity is high.
c. Relatives in the rear seat are distracting the PIC.

4. What is an early indication of carburetor icing in a piston engine? (Pick the best answer.)
a. Loss of manifold pressure
b. Loss of rpm
c. Loss of fuel pressure
d. Loss of appetite
e. Either a or b

5. Which item below eliminates the possibility of carburetor icing?
a. Carburetor heat
b. Carburetor air-temperature gauge
c. Fuel injection
d. Carburetor deicing fluid

6. Every schoolchild should be able to fill in the blank in this definition: "Density altitude is (_____) altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature." (So go find a school kid and fill in that blank.)
a. Pressure
b. Indicated
c. Absolute
d. Standard

7. Fill in some more blanks: "The conditions that result in a high density-altitude are (_____) elevations, (_____) atmospheric pressures, (_____) temperatures, (_____) humidity, or some combination of these factors.
a. High, low, high, low
b. High, high, high, high
c. High, low, high, high
d. High, low, low, high

8. With all this talk in the previous two questions about density altitude, you'd think it was leading up to a question on how it relates to flight? Good thinking. Rate the total veracity of this statement: "The density of air has significant effects on the aircraft's performance because as air becomes less dense, it reduces: (1) power, because the engine takes in less air; and (2) thrust, because a propeller is less efficient in thin air. However, it increases lift, because the thin air exerts less drag on the airfoils."
a. True
b. False

9. Reaching destinations with high density-altitudes often involves flight over remote stretches of ground where an off-airport landing could challenge pilot/passenger relationships. Filing a VFR flight plan could speed up rescue operations should the need arise. Of course, you should open that VFR flight plan after departing and close it at your destination. If your destination has an operating control tower (Class B, C or D airspace), then ATC will automatically close your VFR flight plan upon landing.
a. True
b. False

10. A VFR flight plan includes the amount of fuel on board the aircraft. Operating in the U.S., this is reported in:
a. Hours
b. Gallons
c. Gallons or liters
d. U.S. gallons or Canadian gallons
e. U.S. dollars

11. OK, air campers: It's summer somewhere in the world, so tell us where you'd like to fly on vacation. Pick a destination and any aircraft. It could be a place you've never been. You can take any aircraft your imagination desires, and you don't even have to be qualified to fly it. Heck, you don't even have to buy the gas. (This is a fantasy flight, so the fake fuel is on us.) Don't worry about passports, sand flies or the TSA. Leave the kids home if you want. It's vacation time! Spread your imagination, smear on the SPF 50 and click answer a to tell the world where you can't be reached while on your fantasy flying vacation. Margaritas will be waiting at your destination, so allow at least eight hours between legs. (FAR 91.17)
a. Choose this answer, and then on the answer page you'll have the opportunity to tell us where you want to go on your fantasy vacation.
b. Please don't select this answer, even if you don't intend to write to us about a vacation. It is here for technical reasons, so that your final quiz score will be accurate.

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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Interactive Quiz #171:Take a Flying Vacation

Interactive Quiz #171:
Take a Flying Vacation