1. During the days following September 11, 2001, all civil aircraft in the United States were grounded. One civilian aircraft, however, made a flight on September 13, 2001. What was the nature of that flight?
2. A bombardier releases bombs from an airplane, but during World War II, what did a "bomphleteer" do?
3. From reader Ed Wischmeyer: Which of the world’s large airplanesA. is the tallest?
B. is the longest?
C. has the greatest wingspan?
D. is the heaviest?
4. Why do pilots of airplanes with radial engines turn the propellers by hand before the first flight of the day?
5. From reader Joseph Barber: Famous TV and motion picture actor Bob Cummings was the first certificated flight instructor in the United States. He had been taught to fly while in high school and was soloed in 1927 at the age of 16 by which aviation pioneer?
6. The letter “N” is used to designate U.S.-registered aircraft. Only eight other countries use a single letter for this purpose. Name the eight countries represented by the letters B, C, D, F, G, I, P, and Z.
7. True or false? Concorde, the supersonic airliner, had a maximum speed of more than Mach 2.0 and was equipped with a tailwheel.
8. Early airplane designs, military fighters, and current utility/aerobatic airplanes have a control stick that makes it easier to maneuver an airplane than does a control wheel. Why, then, do most light airplanes have control wheels?
Test Pilot Answers
1. The Rev. Billy Graham was flown from North Carolina to Washington, D.C., to broadcast a message from the Washington National Cathedral on September 14, 2001, intended to bring hope and healing to a nation reeling from the terrorist attacks.
2. "Bomphleteers" dropped propaganda pamphlets. The term was coined by British pilots making pamphlet raids over Europe.
3. A. The Hughes H–4 Hercules, the Spruce Goose, is the tallest (79 feet 4 inches).
B. The Antonov An–225 Mriya is the longest (275 feet 7 inches).
C. The Scaled Composites Stratolaunch has the greatest wingspan (385 feet).
D. The An–225 is the heaviest (1,411,000 pounds).
4. Oil tends to collect in the bottom cylinders of radial engines. Attempting to start a radial engine at such a time can result in hydraulically locked cylinders that can cause structural damage to the engine. If a hydraulic lock is detected, the bottom spark plugs are removed, and the oil is allowed to drain.
5. Orville Wright, whose life had been saved by Cummings’ father—a doctor—also was Bob Cummings’ godfather.
6. B. China, C. Canada, D. Germany, F. France, G. United Kingdom, I. Italy, P. North Korea, and Z. Zimbabwe.
7. True. Concorde had a retractable tailwheel that protected the tail section against structural damage that could result from a tail strike caused by excessive rotation during takeoff or excessive flare during landing.
8. Control wheels originated in lightplanes as a marketing effort to attract automobile drivers to general aviation. They were more familiar, less intimidating, and more like airliners. Ironically, some airliners and general aviation airplanes now incorporate sidestick controllers.
Illustration by John Saur
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