Aircraft Design Mcqs - Set 9

1)   A military aircraft can use _____ as a countermeasure for IR detection.

a. flares
b. lift
c. glares
d. engine temperature increase
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: flares

Explanation:
If we increase engine exhaust temperature then, it will increase the IR detection. As a countermeasure for IR detection, most of military a/c are using flares. Flares are used to generate fake IR signatures.


2)   Plume emissions can be reduced by ___________

a. quickly mixing exhaust with outside air
b. increasing exhaust temperature
c. increasing engine outlet temperature
d. increasing plume temperature
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: quickly mixing exhaust with outside air

Explanation:
Plume emissions can be reduced by quickly mixing the exhaust of engine with outside air. Emissions from hot parts are reduced by cooling them. Increase in temperature will increase emissions and as a result, it will increase IR detection as well.


3)   Which of the following is one of the countermeasures for IR detection?

a. Decoy
b. Temperature increase
c. Engine exhaust temperature increase
d. Not mixing plume with outside air
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Decoy

Explanation:
A decoy is an off-board system. Decoy is a countermeasure that is ejected from and separated away from the aircraft. Decoy will try to lure the missile track away from the aircraft.


4)   Sun glint affects the IR detection of an aircraft.

a. True
b. False
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: True

Explanation:
Sun glint will affect the reflections and hence, will affect the IR detection. Sun glint can be reduced by using special paints. These paints will have low IR reflectivity which can improve the IR detection.


5)   To improve IR detection of engine, we can ____________

a. hide the nozzle from expected location of an IR sensor
b. use higher exhaust temperature
c. show nozzle at IR sensor
d. nozzle does not affect the IR detection
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: hide the nozzle from expected location of an IR sensor

Explanation:
Emissions of hot parts can be reduced by lowering their temperature. We can hide nozzle from the IR detector itself. As a result we can improve the IR detectability.


6)   Visual detection is based on?

a. A/C size, color, etc
b. Only size
c. Only weight
d. Only color
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: A/C size, color, etc

Explanation:
Visual detection is affected by size, color etc. How much wider or longer or big is my aircraft? Will affect its visual detection. Color of my aircraft with respect to background will affect visual detection as well.


7)   Visual detection is one of the important parameters for an aircraft.

a. True
b. False
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: True

Explanation:
The human eye can locate an aircraft due to its visual aspects. Visually, contrails can be spotted easily and it will be the indication of an aircraft. Hence, visual detection is one of the important parameters.


8)   Which of the following is correct?

a. Typically, in simulated combat we can detect large aircraft quickly than the smaller aircraft
b. Lift is always the same as weight
c. We cannot detect large aircraft at all
d. We can always find small aircraft
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Typically, in simulated combat we can detect large aircraft quickly than the smaller aircraft

Explanation:
Lift is not always the same as weight. We can detect large aircraft based on its visual parameters. Small aircraft can be found by using its color, noise, etc. Hence, the correct option will be in simulated combat we can detect large aircraft quickly than the smaller aircraft. This is primarily due to its size.


9)   In order to reduce background contrast, we can provide ____________

a. camouflage pattern
b. red color pattern only
c. always use black color
d. always use red and black pattern
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: camouflage pattern

Explanation:
By using a red color pattern we are making our aircraft to look more vibrant which will increase its chances of detection. Camouflage patterns can be used in order to reduce background contrast.


10)   For ground background, camouflage paint scheme consists ______________

a. mottled grey green
b. mottled white
c. black and red
d. yellow and red only
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: mottled grey green

Explanation:
For ground background, camouflage paint pattern consists of mottled grey green typically. Apart from this, grey-brown combination is also used as camouflage paint for ground background.


11)   Camouflage patterns for sky background will include ______________

a. dirty blue-grey
b. clean red
c. clean pink
d. dirty red always
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: dirty blue-grey

Explanation:
For sky background, camouflage paint pattern consists of dirty blue-grey typically. Apart from this, grey-brown combination is also used as camouflage paint for the ground background.


12)   A. Typical aircraft will have lighter colors at lower surface.
R. The background lookup angle is sky.


a. Both [A] and [R] are true and [R] is the correct reason for [A]
b. Both [A] and [R] are true but [R] is not the correct reason for [A]
c. Both [A] and [R] are false
d. [A] is false but [R] is true
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both [A] and [R] are true and [R] is the correct reason for [A]

Explanation:
An aircraft will be spending major time in the sky. Hence, it is required to use lighter colors at lower surface as the background lookup angle is sky. It will reduce the contrast of an aircraft with respect to sky and will improve visual detection.


13)   Higher contrast between different parts of aircraft will _____________

a. increase detectability
b. decrease
c. increases twice times always
d. always decreases by two units
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: increase detectability

Explanation:
Contrast between two parts of an aircraft will increase visual detectability. Higher contrast makes it easy to be seen visually. We can reduce contrast so that we can improve visual detection of the aircraft.


14)   Which of the following is correct?

a. Canopy glint can affect the visual detection of an aircraft
b. Canopy glint will have zero effect on visual detection
c. Weight is lift all time
d. Thrust is drag all the time
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Canopy glint can affect the visual detection of an aircraft

Explanation:
Canopy glint can affect the visual detection of an aircraft. Weight is not always similar to lift. Thrust is not always same as drag.


15)   An observer is observing in an aircraft from distance of 2400 feet. If size of the aircraft can be given as 24000 feet then, what will be the simplified value of visual angle in minutes of arc? Consider all simplified environment and ideal conditions.

a. 34380
b. 3438
c. 343
d. 34
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 34380

Explanation:
Given, distance d = 2400 feet, length l=24000 ft.
Visual angles in minutes of arcs = 3438*l/d = 3438*24000/2400 = 34380.


16)   If my aircraft has luminance of 10 unit and is designed to operate in background which has luminance of 8 unit then, what will be the approximate value of contrast?

a. 0.25 unit
b. 1.25
c. 5.25unit
d. 5.26
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 0.25 unit

Explanation:
Given, luminance of A/C L1=10unit, luminance of background L2 = 8unit.
Approximate contras value C = |L1-L2|/L2 = |10-8|/8 = 2/8 = 0.25 unit.


17)   Noise produced by an aircraft is called __________

a. aural signature
b. aurora beam
c. signal beam
d. ir beam
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: aural signature

Explanation:
The noise generated by an aircraft is called the aural signature of the aircraft. Aural signature or noise is very important for civil as well as military grade aircraft. Some aircraft suffers retirement due to much higher aural signatures.


18)   Primary cause of aircraft noise is ___________

a. engine exhaust
b. lift
c. fuselage
d. cabin
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: engine exhaust

Explanation:
Aircraft noise is primarily generated due to the engine exhaust. The fuselage, cabin noise are less as compared to the engine exhaust. Lift is an aerodynamic force.


19)   Small diameter and high velocity jet will produce _____________

a. more noise
b. less noise
c. less aural signature
d. independent of diameter and velocity
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: more noise

Explanation:
in a typical aircraft, engine is primary component which generates higher aural signatures. Small diameter and high exhaust will generate more noise due to the effect of air shear layers.


20)   Arrange in the correct order of noise produced by engine type.

a. Turbojet > turbofan > reciprocating engine
b. Turbojet < turbofan < reciprocating engine
c. Turbojet > turbofan = reciprocating engine
d. Turbojet > turbofan < reciprocating engine
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Turbojet > turbofan > reciprocating engine

Explanation:
Engine exhaust aural signatures will be affected by type of engine used. A large diameter propeller with limited tip speed will generate less noise as compare to high speed turbojets. Turbofan aural signature is less than that of the turbojet but greater than the reciprocating engine. Hence, the correct order will be Turbojet > turbofan > reciprocating engine.


21)   To reduce piston exhaust noise ______________

a. we can use more mufflers
b. mufflers can be used only
c. reduce lift always
d. increase jet speed always
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: we can use more mufflers

Explanation:
Noise by a piston engine exhaust can be reduced in a number of ways. One of them is by adopting mufflers. Apart from muffler, we can redirect the exhaust in such way that the resulting noise will be much lesser.


22)   Propeller aircraft experiences internal noise.

a. True
b. False
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: True

Explanation:
Internal noise will produced if piston engine exhaust impinges upon any part of an aircraft. For example, if exhaust impinges upon cabin, it will generate internal noise. Hence, the correct answer will be true.


23)   Which of the following is correct?

a. Some clearance should be provided between propeller and fuselage
b. Lift will be reduced if only drag is reduced
c. Thrust will be lower than the drag always
d. Engine exhaust does not make any noise
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Some clearance should be provided between propeller and fuselage

Explanation:
Reduction of lift can be achieved by number of ways such as AOA reduction, drag increment etc. Thrust at cruise will be equal to the drag. Engine exhaust is primary source of aircraft noise. Hence, the correct statement will be ‘Some clearance should be provided between propeller and fuselage’.


24)   To reduce aural signatures of engine exhaust, we can use _____________

a. insulating material
b. lofting
c. drafting
d. non-insulating material
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: insulating material

Explanation:
We can use insulating materials to reduce the aural signatures. Lofting is mathematical modeling. Drafting is based on drawing.


25)   Let’s consider a propeller aircraft propeller diameter of 24 feet then, what would be the minimum value of clearance that is required for safe operation of propeller typically?

a. 6ft
b. 8ft
c. 10ft
d. 20ft
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 6ft

Explanation:
Given diameter d = 24ft
Typical minimum clearance = d/4 = 24/4 = 6ft.


26)   By directing the exhaust away from the ground we can _____________

a. reduce the aural signature
b. increase the aural signature
c. increase noise
d. noise is not dependent on the direction of exhaust
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: reduce the aural signature

Explanation:
By redirecting exhaust stacks away from the ground we can reduce the aural signature. We can reduce aural signatures by using mufflers or by providing proper insulation as well.


27)   How to reduce engine noise?

a. By using chevron nozzle
b. By using high velocity jet
c. Using small diameter and high velocity jet
d. Higher exhaust jet with less diameter of exhaust
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: By using chevron nozzle

Explanation:
Chevron nozzle is used to reduce the engine exhaust aural signatures. Chevron nozzle accompanies saw tooth pattern at the trailing edge. High velocity jet will produce more noise due to air shear layer effects.


28)   Vulnerability of an aircraft is ability of the aircraft ______________

a. to sustain damage, continue flying and return to base
b. to get damaged and failed
c. to the radar detection
d. to an IR detection
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: to sustain damage, continue flying and return to base

Explanation:
Vulnerability is the ability of an aircraft which concerns whether the aircraft can sustain damage and continue to fly in order to return to the base. An aircraft can be damaged in number of ways such as through gun.


29)   __________ is key parameter for vulnerability.

a. Vulnerable area
b. RCS
c. IR
d. Visual area
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Vulnerable area

Explanation:
Vulnerable area is key parameter of a vulnerability. It is the product of probability of an aircraft component to be hit and the projected area of that component. RCS concerns with radar detection. IR concerns with IR detectability.


30)   Vulnerable area will be same for each and every aircraft.

a. True
b. False
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: True

Explanation:
Vulnerable area will not be the same for each aircraft. Every aircraft is sized based on their mission requirement. Size of the aircraft probability of hit will be different for each aircraft as well.


31)   FMEA stands for?

a. Failure modes and effect analysis
b. Failure mass and effect analysis
c. Failure mass and effective analogy
d. Failure modes and effect analogy
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Failure modes and effect analysis

Explanation:
FMEA stands for ‘Failure modes and effect analysis ’. Determination of FMEA is one of the most important step for evaluation of vulnerability of an aircraft. This step is done at later stage during conceptual design.


32)   FMEA will consider _____________

a. which battle damage can affect individual aircraft components?
b. lift
c. weight by an aircraft
d. rcs
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: which battle damage can affect individual aircraft components?

Explanation:
FMEA stand for Failure modes and effect analysis. It is a very important consideration in terms of vulnerability of an aircraft. The FMEA considers in 2 ways:
i. Which battle damage can affect the individual components?
ii. Which damage to each part will affect the other component of an aircraft?


33)   We can improve vulnerability by _____________

a. avoiding fuel tanks near to the engine
b. placing fuel tanks on the engine
c. placing fuel tanks inside the engine
d. placing fuel tanks at any location
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: avoiding fuel tanks near to the engine

Explanation:
Fuel tank location can affect the vulnerability of an aircraft. Fuel tanks can catch fire much quickly. Hence, to improve vulnerability it is advised to avoid placing fuel tanks near or above the engine or inside the engine.


34)   A firewall should be provided for vulnerability consideration.

a. True
b. False
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: True

Explanation:
Firewalls are used to reduce the effect of flames during hazardous conditions. Firewall will prevent the spread of the flames. Hence, we can improve vulnerability by properly placing and locating the firewall.


35)   In order to improve vulnerability consideration, we can use _________

a. redundant components
b. high lift device
c. vortex generator
d. we cannot improve it
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: redundant components

Explanation:
Redundant components in simple words are additional components which can be used at the time of emergencies or failure of the component. For example, redundant of hydraulic system, electric system, etc. can improve survivability. Hence, by using redundant component we can improve the vulnerability of our design.


36)   An aircraft component has presented area 6 ft2 with Pk as 1.0. Find vulnerable area.

a. 6ft2
b. 82ft2
c. 7ft2
d. 72ft2
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 6ft2

Explanation:
Given, area a = 6ft2, Pk = 1.0
Vulnerable area = a*Pk = 6*1 = 6ft2.


37)   If an aircraft has three components which can be considered as vulnerable components then, evaluate total vulnerable area. Given area of component 1, 2 and 3 are 5ft2, 4ft2 and 80ft2 respectively with Pk as 1, 0.5 and 0.3 for component 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

a. 31ft2
b. 50ft2
c. 10ft2
d. 4ft
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 31ft2

Explanation:
No explanation is available for this question!


38)   Positioning of the propeller should be such that _____________

a. blade will not strike anyone if they fly off
b. blade should fly off during flight
c. it is always near to cabin
d. the blades will strike the engine
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: blade will not strike anyone if they fly off

Explanation:
As a crashworthiness consideration, positioning of the propeller should be such that the blades will not strike anyone in case of failure or emergency. Hence, as a designer it is our primary role to ensure not only performer but also safety of passengers as well.


39)   Typically, in a passenger aircraft fuel is not located in the fuselage.

a. True
b. False
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: True

Explanation:
Typically, it is advised to not locate fuel tanks under the fuselage. Fuel tanks can increase flames spreading tremendously. Hence, to avoid such a scenario it should not be located below or in the fuselage.


40)   What do you mean by crashworthiness?

a. Capability of structure to protect against impacts and crash loads
b. Capability of an aircraft to stay in cruise
c. Vulnerability to radar detection
d. Special aerodynamic lift improvement
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Capability of structure to protect against impacts and crash loads

Explanation:
Capability of structure to protect against impacts and crash loads can be termed as crashworthiness design. Whether the aircraft will stay in cruise or not this will be decided by operating environment.