Test Pilot
2. A pilot desires to maintain a true course of 090 degrees. Because he is unaware of a northwesterly wind, he maintains a true heading of 090 degrees. Still unaware of the same wind, he reverses course and attempts to fly a true course of 270 degrees with a true heading of 270 degrees. The distance that the aircraft drifts off course at the end of one hour in each case is _______, and the drift angle in each case is _______.
A. the same, the same
B. the same, different
C. different, different
D. different, the same
3. Carburetor ice can occur as the result of reduced air temperature in the throat of a carburetor. What are the two reasons that explain this decrease in temperature?
4. During World War II, British pilots occasionally dropped “calling cards” from their aircraft. Why was it dangerous to pick up one of them?
5. From reader Tony Bill: It was not unusual during World War I for pilots to fire at each other with handguns. The last recorded downing of an enemy aircraft by a pilot with a handgun occurred under what circumstances?
6. The most prolific breeding ground in the world for tornadoes is in the United States and is called Tornado Alley. Which four states constitute the core of this region?
7. From reader John Schmidt: What unique method did Charles Carpenter, the pilot of a Piper L–4 Grasshopper (essentially a Piper J–3 Cub), use to attack and destroy six German tanks and several armored vehicles during World War II? (No, he did not drop bombs.)
8. Why is a compass not required when flying a hot-air balloon?
Test Pilot Answers
1. Edward John Smith, captain, RMS Titanic, said this during a press conference prior to his final voyage.
2. b) The distance off course is the same in each case because the crosswind component is the same in each case and acts upon the aircraft for the same amount of time. When flying into a quartering headwind, however, drift angle is greater than when heading in the opposite direction. Plot this on an E6B computer, and you will see why this is so.
3. Air flowing through a venturi accelerates and the associated decrease in pressure (expansion) causes temperature to drop. Also, fuel vaporizing in the venturi causes a temperature reduction, just as water evaporating from your body reduces skin temperature after climbing out of a pool.
4. English calling cards were small pieces of cardboard treated with yellow phosphorous that burst into flame upon drying.
5. On March 31, 1943, Owen John Baggett and his crew bailed out of their damaged B–24 bomber after being attacked by Japanese Zeros. One Japanese pilot then strafed the parachuting crew, killing two. Baggett played dead, but the Zero pilot apparently was unconvinced. As he slowly flew abeam the limp American pilot for a look-see, Baggett pulled out his .45-caliber pistol, shot the Zero pilot in the head, and observed the airplane spiraling earthward.
6. Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and (northern) Texas.
7. Carpenter strapped six bazookas to the struts of his small liaison airplane, which was named Rosie the Rocketeer. A replica of the airplane is on display at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville, Florida.
8. A balloon is free to rotate about its vertical axis, and its pilot cannot maintain a given heading. A compass is useful, however, in approximating magnetic track when movement over the ground can be detected.
Illustration by John Sauer
Give rockets some space
By Machteld A. Smith
An interesting depiction on the Jacksonville Sectional is the dark-blue pie-shaped area hugging the coastline east of Orlando, Florida. If by chance you overlooked the large magenta rocket-shaped symbol, this is a space operations area regulated by FAR 91.143—flight limitation in the proximity of space flight operations. The rule warns that no one may operate any U.S. registered aircraft within areas designated by notam for space flight operations, except when authorized by ATC. You’ll see why when you take a closer look at the chart, which has a cautionary note about flying rockets and falling debris during the times that the area is active. It further clarifies the active status is intermittent and altitudes stretch from the surface into unlimited space. If you plan on touring the Florida coast by air to ogle the NASA Shuttle Landing Facility (TTS) and Cape Canaveral AFS Skid Strip (XMR), pay close attention to their restricted airspace status. TTS and XMR are strictly private-use airports, so don’t plan on just dropping in for the fun of it. Both require prior permission and are for official business only.
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