How does an ILS work?

How does an ILS work?

An ILS (Instrument Landing System) is defined as a precision runway approach aid based on two radio beams which together provide pilots with both vertical and horizontal guidance during an approach to land.

The ILS aerials transmit two lobes. For a pilot on final, the lobe to his right is modulated at a frequency of 150 Hz and the one to his left at 90 Hz. The point where the lobes meet is the centre line of the runway. As the signals on the lobe move from the centre line to either side, their amplitude increases. This means the magnitude of their depth modulation increases. The depth modulation can be considered as a percentage. For example, if an aircraft receives a 15% depth modulated signal from the left and a 5% depth modulated signal from the right, the difference of modulation becomes 10% to the left. This electrical imbalance is sent to the aircraft and the localizer needle is designed in such a way that it will show a deflection to the opposite direction, telling the pilot to go to the right.

When on the centre line, the modulation difference is zero and the needle centres itself.

The glide slope or the glide path provides the pilot with vertical guidance. The glide slope is set such that a glide slope angle of 3 degrees is maintained by the pilot. The needle of the slope moves up, if the aircraft is too low and moves down if it is too much above the required path. The glide slope is on the UHF band (329.15 - 335 Mhz).

The glide slope operates the same way as the localizer. The only difference is that the lobes are emitted on the vertical plane. The upper lobe is modulated at 90 Hz while the bottom one at 150 Hz. Exactly the same way as before, the needle of the slope moves based on the difference in depth modulation. As like before when the modulation difference is nil, the glide needle moves to the very centre of the instrument.

At what speed does Mach tuck occur?

At what speed does Mach tuck occur?

Mcrit

How does an IRS work?

How does an IRS work?

An IRS is an Inertial Reference System  which consists of accelerometers, gyroscopes (laser) and a position computer.

The computer calculates the aircrafts position by direction and velocity sensed by the accelerometers from the initial latitude and longitude input.

An IRS enables the aircraft to fly great circle tracks and to navigate accurately across vast expanses where no ground based navigation aids are available.

If you take off on a two engine airplane with no engine failure and are below VMCA, will you have directional control?

If you take off on a two engine airplane with no engine failure and are below VMCA, will you have directional control?

Yes, some directional control as we still have two functioning engines.

How are contrails formed?

How are contrails formed?

Their formation is most often triggered by freezing water vapour from the exhaust of aircraft engines.

What are the disadvantages of a swept wing?

What are the disadvantages of a swept wing?

Swept wings have:

  • Poor lift qualities

  • Higher stall speeds

  • Speed instability at low speeds

  • A wing-tip stalling tendency

What are TORA, TODA, ASDA clearways, stopways, and screen heights?

What are TORA, TODA, ASDA clearways, stopways, and screen heights?

TORA= Takeoff Run Available, the length of runway declared available and suitable for the ground run of an aeroplane taking off.

TODA= Takeoff Distance Available, the length of the take off run available (TORA) plus the length of the clearway, if available.

ASDA= Accelerated Stop Distance Available, the length of the takeoff run plus the length of the stopway, if available.

A clearway is an area beyond the paved runway, free of obstructions and under the control of the airport authorities. The length of the clearway may be included in the length of the takeoff distance available (Take Off Distance Available (TODA)). For example, if a paved runway is 2000 m long and there are 400 m of clearway beyond the end of the runway, the takeoff distance available is 2400 m long.

The stopway is an area beyond the runway which can be used for deceleration in the event of a rejected takeoff.

Screen height: TODR is the distance from the brake release point to the point where the aircraft gains a height of 35 ft above the ground. This 35 ft is what we call the screen height. While 35 ft is the screen height for class A airplanes, it is 50 ft for class B airplanes.

On a wet runway, the screen height is reduced to 15 ft.

Because usually the heated air bypasses the air filter, therefore it is possible for dust to enter the engine and so exposing the engine to unnecessary engine wear.

Could a Seneca fly to the South of France without stopping for extra fuel?

Could a Seneca fly to the South of France without stopping for extra fuel?

No

Describe the movement of the center of pressure with varying angle of attack.

Describe the movement of the center of pressure with varying angle of attack.

The Center of pressure position is dependent of the angle of attack. As the angle of attack increases the center of pressure moves closer to the leading edge.

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