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Saturday 30th August 2008
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Brainteasers Interactive Quiz #46:
Aviation Facts and Myths

In the musical "The King And I," the King says, "In my head are many facts of which I wish I was more certain I was sure. Is a puzzlement." Similarly, in aviation there are many "facts" that we think we know, but that turn out to be myths. See how you do separating myth from fact in Irv Siegel's latest online quiz.

by Irv Siegel

NOTE: Questions in this quiz that refer to regulatory matters are based on operations regulated by the FAA in the United States.

1. In a smooth, steady wind, a level coordinated turn from an upwind heading
a. True
b. False
from a downwind heading to an upwind heading.


to a downwind heading will put the aircraft closer to a stall than will a turn
2. In an aircraft with a single reciprocating engine and a constant speed
a. True
b. False
operation should be avoided.


propeller, operating with the manifold pressure (in inches) greater than the RPM
3. Setting the Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) on your engine somewhere between
25 to 75 degrees F rich of peak EGT will normally give better engine life when
a. True
b. False
setting.


the engine is operated at 75% of its rated power, than using any other mixture
4. VORs are aligned with magnetic north, so you can derive the corresponding
a. True
b. False
magnetic, etc.


other words, the 290 radial from a VOR is aligned with a course of 290 degrees
5. In North America on the Vernal Equinox and on the Autumnal Equinox the
a. True
b. False
time between sunrise and sunset is 12 hours, zero minutes.

6. The earth is divided into 24 time zones, each 15 degrees wide.
a. True
b. False
7. An aircraft can be stalled in any attitude if the critical angle of attack
a. True
b. False
is exceeded.

8. There is no requirement that a pilot log any actual instrument flight time
a. True
as a prerequisite for an instrument rating, instrument flight instructor rating,
b. False
or airline transport pilot certificate.

9. The first powered airplane flight by Orville or Wilbur Wright occurred on
December 17, 1903.


a. True
b. False
10. According to The Air Traffic Control Handbook (7110.65), ATC may not
a. True
b. False
request that a pilot cancel an IFR flight plan.

11. According to The Air Traffic Control Handbook (7110.65), ATC may not ask
a. True
b. False
12. The published best-glide speed for an aircraft will allow that aircraft
a. True
airspeed may yield a longer gliding distance than that which is achievable at
b. False
condition at any weight. At a weight less than maximum gross weight, a lower
maximum gross weight.


to glide for a specified distance from a given AGL altitude in a no-wind
13. In terms of fatality rates for a trip of a given distance, traveling by
a. True
b. False
distance.


general aviation aircraft is safer than traveling by automobile that same
14. When a DC-3 is parked on the ramp, or taxiing at a low speed (with an
a. True
airspeed less than stall speed), the pilot is unable to raise the landing gear.


b. False
15. If a standard procedure turn is shown on an approach chart (45-degree
a. True
as depicted.


b. False
turn, followed by a 180-degree turn in the opposite direction), it must be flown
16. The operator of an aircraft that suffers an engine failure that results
a. True
b. False
in an off-airport landing must report the incident to the FAA or to the NTSB.

17. The operator of an aircraft that makes a gear-up landing resulting in
a. True
b. False
closure of a runway must report the incident to the FAA or to the NTSB.

18. A VFR pilot flying a light, non-turbine aircraft under Part 91 must have
a. True
b. False
19. A VFR pilot flying a light, non-turbine aircraft under Part 91 must not
a. True
b. False
have any expired aeronautical chart on board the aircraft.

20. Laminating a pilot certificate renders that certificate invalid.
a. True
b. False