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Several factors affect aircraft performance including the atmosphere, aerodynamics, and aircraft icing. Pilots need an understanding of these factors for a sound basis for prediction of aircraft response to control inputs, especially with regard to instrument approaches, while holding, and when operating at reduced airspeed in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Although these factors are important to the pilot flying visual flight rules (VFR), they must be even more thoroughly understood by the pilot operating under instrument flight rules (IFR). Instrument pilots rely strictly on instrument indications to precisely control the aircraft; therefore, they must have a solid understanding of basic aerodynamic principles in order to make accurate judgments regarding aircraft control inputs.
Posts
- Review of Basic Aerodynamics (Part One)
- Review of Basic Aerodynamics (Part Two)
- Atmosphere
- Lift
- Drag Curves
- Slow-Speed Flight
- Climbs and Turns
- Load Factor
- Aircraft Icing (Part One)
- Aircraft Icing (Part Two)
Recommended
If you are studying for or planning on studying for your instrument rating, the ASA Test Prep guide for the Instrument Rating will help you prepare with samples of every test question in the FAA exam database, along with their answers and explanations. Subjects covered are: meteorology, flight and navigational instruments, instrument flight rules and procedures, arrivals and approaches, and review computations. It also includes a computer testing supplement.
You should also consider getting a copy of the Instrument Pilot Oral Exam Guide by Michael D. Hayes to prepare for the oral exam as well as the the Instrument Rating Airmen Certification Standards by the FAA which outlines the standards for passing the knowledge and oral exams.