Aircraft Design Questions and Answers Part-11

1. A/C with higher thrust to weight ratio can accelerate more quickly.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Explanation: Thrust to weight ratio is an important parameter. This ratio can affect the performance of an aircraft. Higher thrust to weight ratio represents more thrust for given weight. Hence, more quick acceleration, more maximum speed etc. can be achieved through higher values of thrust to weight ratio

2. Can we estimate thrust loading based on Wing loading?
a) Yes
b) No
c) Both are same
d) Are not related to each other

Answer: a
Explanation: Thrust loading and wing loading are one of the crucial parameter of an aircraft design. A designer can find both of them either by estimating thrust loading and then evaluating the wing loading or vice-versa

3. Higher value of thrust loading indicates ____
a) higher maximum speed
b) lowest maximum speed
c) lowest climb
d) lowest acceleration

Answer: a
Explanation: Thrust loading is nothing but a ratio. It is the ratio of aircraft thrust to the weight of the aircraft. Higher thrust loading means higher thrust for given weight. This will improve maximum speed of an aircraft.

4. Thrust to weight ratio of all the aircrafts is same.
a) True
b) False

Answer: a
Explanation: Different type of aircrafts will have different requirements. Weight of different aircraft will be based on mission requirements. Thrust produced by engine will be different for all aircraft. Hence, thrust loading is not same for all the aircraft.

5. Thrust loading during flight does not remain constant as _____
a) fuel burns with each mission phase
b) fuel is not burned at all
c) will not change
d) lofting is changed

Answer: a
Explanation: Thrust loading is generally measured based on take-off conditions. At each phase of mission profile weight will vary. Fuel burns throughout the flight which varies aircraft weight and which changes thrust loading as well.

6. Power loading of prop driven aircraft is ______
a) greater or equal to one
b) same as lift of propeller
c) always be zero
d) equal to drag always

Answer: a
Explanation: Power loading for propeller driven aircraft is an important parameter representing the relation between power and weight. Power loading will always be greater than one and in much idle case it will be one. It cannot be zero. Lift and drag are forces.

7. Power loading of a prop driven aircraft is defined as _________
a) weight of aircraft to the horsepower by prop engine
b) weight of aircraft into the horsepower by prop engine
c) horsepower by prop engine
d) weight of aircraft

Answer: a
Explanation: Power loading will be defined as the ratio of weight of the aircraft to the power; typically horsepower produced by prop engine. It will impact on acceleration, climb, maximum speed etc. In general, it varies from 10-20.

8. Which of the following is correct for horsepower (hp) to the weight ratio?
a) T/W = (550*η / V) * (hp/W)
b) T/W = (550*η / V)
c) T/W = (550*η / V) + (hp/W)
d) T/W = (550*η / V) – (hp/W)

Answer: a
Explanation: Power is defined as thrust into velocity. Propeller will be operating with some finite value of propeller efficiency ƞ. 550 we multiply as to make units similar both the side.
In general, for prop aircraft thrust loading and power loading is given as,
T/W = (550*η / V)*(hp/W)

9. Typically, designer designs thrust loading based on ________
a) static sea-level conditions, take-off requirement etc
b) only Lift
c) only static sea-level conditions
d) only landing conditions

Answer: a
Explanation: When designer speaks for a thrust loading it generally refers to the value which has been calculated for standard day conditions, static sea-level conditions, take-off performance etc. Different phases incorporate different values of thrust loading. Hence, a designer typically converts them to take-off conditions.

10. A jet fighter aircraft is flying with maximum Mach number of 2.0. What will be the thrust loading of the fighter?
a) 0.57
b) 0.64
c) 2.5
d) 2.0

Answer: a
Explanation: Given, Jet fighter with max Mach number M = 2.0
Now for jet fighter thrust loading is given by,
T/W0 = a*Mc
For a jet fighter a=0.514, c=0.141
Hence, T/W0 = 0.514*2.00.141 = 0.566 = 0.57.