Menu
Five Mile Final | An Aviation Sandbox

CFI Airmen Certification Standards: Technical Subject Areas


Primary Flight Controls

The ailerons, elevator (or stabilator), and rudder constitute the primary control system and are required to control an aircraft safely during flight.

Ailerons control roll about the longitudinal axis. Moving the control wheel, or control stick, to the right causes the right aileron to deflect upward and the left aileron to deflect downward.

The elevator controls pitch about the lateral axis. The up-elevator position decreases the camber of the elevator and creates a downward aerodynamic force [6-10]. Conversely, the down-elevator position creates an upward force. The longitudinal axis pivots around the CG

A stabilator is a one-piece horizontal stabilizer that pivots from a central hinge point

The rudder controls movement around the vertical axis, known as yaw. When the rudder is deflected into the airflow, a horizontal force is exerted in the opposite direction

Secondary Flight Controls

Flaps increase both lift and induced drag for any given AOA. When extended, they increase the camber of the wing

Trim Controls

Trim systems relieve the pilot of the need to maintain constant pressure on the flight controls. Common types include trim tabs, balance tabs, antiservo tabs, ground adjustable tabs, and an adjustable stabilizer.

Primary Flight Controls, Secondary Flight Controls, and Trim Controls

The above extracts are taken from the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 6, "Flight Controls."

It seems unlikely that a DPE would spend much time in this area during a CFI oral exam, but CFI candidates should be prepared to reference this chapter if asked about various minutiae, which might include:

  • Differential ailerons, Frise-type ailerons, coupled ailerons and rudder, and flaperons;
  • T-tail configurations, flutter, and stalls;
  • Servo and anti-servo tabs;
  • Canards;
  • V-tails;
  • Types of flaps;
  • Leading-edge devices;
  • Spoilers;
  • Various trim-tabs.

Three knowledge tests have questions on this subject matter (Private, Commercial, CFI), and CFI candidates have passed all three by the time they get to a DPE on a CFI checkride. This is an optional topic in the Technical Subject Areas.

But if your DPE owns an airplane with a V-tail or leading-edge devices, s/he might wander into a brief conversation. Have Chapter 6 of the PHAK ready for reference.


Airmen Certification Standards: Flight Instructor (Airplane)

Areas of Operation II. Technical Subject Areas
Task E: Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems

References

  1. Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3)
  2. Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25)

Objective: To determine the applicant understands flight controls and systems on the airplane provided for the flight test, can apply that knowledge, manage associated risks, demonstrate appropriate skills, and provide effective instruction.

Knowledge: The applicant demonstrates instructional knowledge by describing and explaining:

  1. Airplane systems, including:
    1. Primary flight controls
    2. Secondary flight controls
    3. Powerplant and propeller
    4. Landing gear
    5. Fuel, oil, and hydraulic
    6. Electrical
    7. Avionics
    8. Pitot-static, vacuum/pressure, and associated flight instruments
    9. Environmental
    10. Deicing and anti-icing
    11. Water rudders (ASES, AMES)
    12. Oxygen system
  2. Indications of and procedures for managing system abnormalities or failures.

Risk Management: The applicant explains and teaches how to identify and manage risk associated with:

  1. Detection of system malfunctions or failures.
  2. Management of a system failure.
  3. Monitoring and management of automated systems.
  4. Providing instruction in unfamiliar aircraft or operating with unfamiliar flight display systems and avionics.

Skills: The applicant demonstrates and simultaneously explains how to:

  1. Operate at least three of the systems listed in K1a through K1l appropriately.

Flight Instructor Test Questions

Xxxxxxxx

Xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx. (00.00)

Oral Exam Questions

  1. xxxxxxxx
  2. xxxxxxxx
  3. xxxxxxxx
  4. xxxxxxxx
  5. xxxxxxxx
  6. xxxxxxxx
  7. xxxxxxxx
  8. xxxxxxxx
  9. xxxxxxxx
  10. xxxxxxxx
  11. xxxxxxxx
  12. xxxxxxxx
  13. xxxxxxxx
  14. xxxxxxxx
  15. xxxxxxxx
  16. xxxxxxxx
  17. xxxxxxxx
  18. xxxxxxxx
  19. xxxxxxxx
  20. xxxxxxxx
  21. xxxxxxxx
  22. xxxxxxxx

Robert Wederquist   CP-ASEL - AGI - IGI
Commercial Pilot • Instrument Pilot
Advanced Ground Instructor • Instrument Ground Instructor


Disclaimer: By accessing this website you agree to indemnify and hold harmless its curator, who combines public-domain material with his own thoughts and opinions about such matters. No warranty as to the timeliness or accuracy of the content found on Five Mile Final dot com is expressed, nor is any implied. All users of this website are encouraged to access FAA-published materials for the most recent and accurate information.