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Thursday 28th August 2008
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Brainteasers Interactive Quiz #40:
Safety Guide For Private Aircraft Owners

The FAA offers many useful publications for the aviation community, but some of them are little known and seldom read. One of these -- FAA publication FAA-P-8740-4A, "Safety Guide for Private Aircraft Owners" -- is the basis of this month's interactive quiz by Irv Siegel. Test your knowledge on a wide range of subjects important to GA pilots: fuel and oil, spark plug fouling, tire pressures, carbon monoxide, propeller nicks, maintenance test flights, and more.

by Irv Siegel

NOTE: This quiz is based on information contained in FAA publication FAA-P-8740-4A, "Safety Guide for Private Aircraft Owners."

1. The use of automotive gasoline as a substitute for avgas can cause
a. tetraethyl lead and other antiknock additives
b. chlorine and bromine
c. solvents
corrosion, sticking valves, and exhaust valve failure. What differs in the
d. gum
e. all of the above
formulation of automotive gasoline (as compared with avgas) that can cause these
problems?

2. The octane rating specified by the engine manufacturer is the minimum
a. detonation.
b. pre-ignition
be used safely. The most common problem with the use of higher-octane fuel is


c. carburetor ice
d. lead fouling
e. sticking valves
grade of fuel to be used for a given engine. Avgas of a higher octane rating may
3. Water is the most common fuel contaminant. What step(s) should be taken to
a. Do not top off the tanks so that the fuel has room to expand.
b. Use proper leaning technique in flight.
c. Fill fuel tanks at the end of each flight to prevent condensation forming
d. both a and b
e. both b and c
inside the tank(s).


prevent water contamination in fuel tanks?

4. What can cause in-flight fuel siphoning?
a. Fuel filler caps are incorrectly installed.
and/or gaskets.


b. Worn fuel filler caps and/or gaskets are used.
c. Deformed or worn pawls, which affect the sealing effectiveness of O-rings
d. Any of the above.
5. What are the four basic functions of engine oil?
a. To clean, cool, lubricate, and seal
b. To clean, cushion, lubricate, and seal
c. To cool, cushion, lubricate, and seal
d. To clean, cool, cushion, and lubricate
e. To clean, cool, cushion, and seal
6. What are the four most prevalent types of spark plug fouling?
a. cigarette, gum, lead, and oil
b. carbon, gum, lead, and oil
c. carbon, cigarette, lead and oil
d. carbon, cigarette, gum, and oil
e. carbon, cigarette, gum, and lead
7. New nylon cord tires will normally lose what percent of their pressure
a. 1% to 2%
b. 3% to 4%
c. 5% to 10%
cord?


d. 15%
within the first twenty-four hours after installation due to stretching of the
8. Propeller blades may fail because of fatigue cracks that started as dents
a. an appropriately rated mechanic
b. an FAA-certificated propeller repair shop
been repaired. Who may perform propeller repairs?


c. the aircraft owner
d. a & b only
e. a & b & c
or scratches. Blade failure often occurs at a place where previous damage has
9. If you suspect that your aircraft has an exhaust leak that is allowing
a. most FAA control towers.
b. most FAA flight service stations.
c. most FAA Flight Standards District Offices
carbon monoxide (CO) into the cabin, you should have your aircraft tested. If
usually find a tester at


your aircraft mechanic does not have carbon monoxide testing equipment, you can
10. When a repair or alteration has been performed on your aircraft, the
a. a private pilot certificate with an appropriate aircraft rating.
airframe and powerplant mechanic certificate.


b. a commercial pilot certificate with an appropriate aircraft rating.
before it may be used to carry passengers. The test pilot must hold at least


c. a flight instructor certificate with an appropriate aircraft rating.
d. a private pilot certificate with an appropriate aircraft rating and an
person authorized to return the aircraft to service should decide if a flight
test is necessary. If the decision is yes, the aircraft must be flight tested