Summary of ATPL Performance - General Principles - 3 - En Route
The lesson focuses on the general performance principles of an airplane in the enroute phase, specifically discussing range and endurance parameters.
- Forces acting on an aircraft in cruise are examined, including lift-weight and thrust-drag couples.
- The role of the tail plane in balancing nose down pitching moment for level flight is explained.
- Methods to manipulate tail plane downforce by changing the center of gravity through fuel consumption or transfer are discussed.
- Different expressions of airplane speed, including indicated AirSpeed, calibrated AirSpeed, true airspeed, true ground speed, and Mach number, are explained.
- The impact of speed on airplane performance, including maximum and minimum speeds, is detailed.
- The effects of compressibility at high speeds and the formation of shock waves are discussed.
- The concept of Mach number and its significance in high-speed flight are explained.
- Factors affecting endurance, such as weight, airplane configuration, altitude, and wind, are analyzed.
- Factors affecting range, such as weight, airplane configuration, and airplane trim, are examined.
- The relationship between payload and range in airplane operations is illustrated.
- The impact of parasite drag, misaligned surfaces, and airframe icing on fuel consumption and range is highlighted.
Notable Quotes
— 33:22 — « In order to maximize the specific range of the airplane, true AirSpeed must be high and the fuel flow must be low. »
— 34:44 — « The speed at which the speed drag ratio is maximized may be read from the graph at the tangent to the curve. »
— 38:04 — « A point always to bear in mind in the cruise is that any increase in parasite drag will be detrimental to range and endurance. »
— 39:55 — « Monitoring the airplanes control surfaces will help to reduce the extra drag and extra fuel consumption that out of trim and unbalanced flight can cause. »
Category
Educational