STUDENT PILOT PRE-SOLO WRITTEN TEST

Answers

Please Note

These answers are from a Cameron N-90 Balloon Flight Manual

Please Review Your Flight Manual for Your Balloon

When Answering These Questions

 

What is the allowable damage to fabric?

Section 2.5 - Any holes greater than one-third inch (0.8 centimeters) in length min diameter in the fabric higher that 10 feet (3 meters) above the mouth, or with and damage whatsoever to control lines or load tapes, including load tapes below ten feet (3 meters) above the mouth

 

What items are required to be on board and operational before a flight is initiated?

Section 2.6 & 6.0 - Sensitive altimeter, Rate-of-Climb indicator, Fuel quantity gauges, 2 additional Ignition Sources not including the one built into the burner, protective headgear, protective gloves, FAA approved Balloon Flight Manual, Valid Original Registration, Airworthiness certificate, fuel pressure gauges, envelope temperature indicator, and at least two fuel tanks containing usable fuel, fire extinguisher.

 

What are the maximum launching and landing wind speeds as demonstrated in the Flight Manual for the balloon you are being instructed on?

Section 5.1 - For Launch 10 MPH and for landing 15 MPH

 

What are the following envelope temperature limitations?

Section 2.2

 

What is the maximum certified gross weight of the balloon system?

Section 2.4 & 6 - The maximum gross weight is limited to 1800 pounds. Propane is 4.23 pounds per gallon.

This includes:

Total 728.70 (729) pounds therefore total passenger weight cannot exceed 1,071 pounds

Therefore if I weight 230 the remaining passengers cannot exceed 421 pounds a person. Please note graph 5.2 shows that at 5,000 feet the gross weight falls off dramatically about 40 degrees ambient temperature. Example at 50 degrees the gross weight is 1650 pounds.

What effects does the altitude and ambient temperature have on the lifting capacity of the balloon system?

Section 5.2 - The pressure altitude and ambient temperature reduce the maximum operating weight from the maximum certified gross weight.

What is the minimum burner pressure when flying with maximum gross weight?

Section 2.4 - 80 PSI at sea level and gross weight of 1800 pounds.

Explain the procedure to relight the pilot light.

Section 3.13 Quickly attempt to relight with the piezoelectric built-in igniter. Failing this, light the Whisper burner with a striker and control the balloon with the Whisper value. Never use the whisper burner as a pilot light.

Except when landing, discharges through the parachute valve (vent) must not exceed?

(Section 2.8) - 3 seconds

Explain how you would tell if a propane tank is full in a preflight check.

Open spitter value and shake tank. If fuel flows out of spitter valve the tank is full.

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, what 's the minimum safe altitude for a pilot to operate an aircraft anywhere?

  1. An altitude, if the power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
  2. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface and no closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure.
  3. An altitude of 500 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 1,000 feet.

What is the operating fuel pressure (range) in which the balloon can be operated and why?

Section 5.2 - 40 to 150 in the burner used with this system. Of note, this author will only fly when the pressure is 100 to 150. At lower pressures there is the chance that not enough heat will be generated to control the balloon. With pressures over 150 there is the chance that the top of the balloon will be burned out.

Where should the ground lines be attached for a tether?

Section 2.10 & 4.11 - To the envelope carabineers, same location as the safety harness.

If an altimeter setting is not available before flight, to which altitude should the pilot, adjust the altimeter?

  1. The elevation of the nearest airport corrected to mean seal level.
  2. The elevation of the departure area.
  3. Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature.

When must a current pilot certificate be in the pilot's personal possession?

  1. When acting as a crew chief during launch and recovery.
  2. Only when passengers are carried.
  3. Any time when acting as pilot in command or as a required crewmember.
    (Section 61.3 (a))

A student pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft

  1. With surface visibility of less than three statute miles during daylight hours. )
    (Section 61.89)
  2. With a surface visibility of less than five statute miles during daylight hours.
  3. One hour before sunrise or one hour after sunset.

According to regulations pertaining to general limitations, a student pilot may act as pilot in command of an aircraft

  1. Only in solo flight. (Section 61.87)
  2. With a person holding a private pilot certificate.
  3. With another student pilot.

No person may attempt to act as a pilot of a balloon with

  1. .008 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood.
  2. .004 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood-
  3. .04 percent by weight or more alcohol in the blood. (Section 91.17)

What minimum visibility and clearance from clouds are required for VFR operations in Class G airspace at 700 feet AGL or below during daylight hours?

  1. 1-mile visibility and clear of clouds. (Section 91.155)
  2. 1 mile visibility, 500 feet below, 1,000 feet above, and 2,000 feet horizontal clearance from clouds.
  3. 3 miles visibility and clear of clouds.

VFR flight in controlled airspace above 1,200 feet AGL and below 10,000 MSL requires a minimum visibility and vertical cloud clearance of

  1. 3 miles, and 500 feet below or 1,000 feet above the clouds in controlled airspace.
    (Section 91.155)
  2. 5 miles, and 1,000 feet below or 1,000 feet above the clouds at all altitudes.
  3. 5 miles, and 1,000 feet below or 1,000 feet above the clouds only in Class and airspace.

When telephoning a weather briefing facility for preflight weather information, pilots should state

  1. The full name and address of the pilot in command.
  2. The takeoff point, destination, and type of aircraft.
  3. The radio frequencies to be used.

Which type weather briefing should a pilot request, when departing within the hour, if no preliminary weather information has been received?

  1. Outlook briefing.
  2. Abbreviated briefing.
  3. Standard briefing.

What is the weight of propane per gallon?

Appendix C 4.23 pounds per gallon.

According to regulations pertaining to general limitations, a student pilot may act as pilot in command of an aircraft

  1. Only in a manner that is not contrary to any limitations placed in the pilot's log book by the instructor.
  2. Carrying a banner for hire.
  3. With flight or surface visibility less than 5 statute miles during daylight hours.

To determine the expiration date of the last annual aircraft inspection, a person should refer to the

  1. Airworthiness certificate.
  2. Registration certificate.
  3. Aircraft maintenance records.

Where are the temperature tell-tales located on the balloon?

The "temperature tell-tales" are located at the top of the balloon near the deflation port. These are also referred to as the "tabs". They register the maximum temperature by changing color. They are replaced at every annual inspection.

What should you do if a malfunction occurs on the main burner?

(Section 3.10) - In the event the blast valve does not open when the handle is activated the whisper valve on the same unit can be used to fly or the other burner can be used. Land as soon as possible.

What if the main blast value will not shut-off?

(Sections 3.10-12) In the event the blast valve cannot be shut off the fuel flow can be regulated by the tank valve or completely shut off at the tank valve. Land as soon as possible.

When can nitrogen gas not be used to pressurize a fuel system?

Nitrogen can only be used in systems with liquid pilot lights.

What is the maximum altitude at which a ripe panel (Smart Vent) can be safely operated?

(Section 2.8.5) - 15 feet above ground level

In the flight manual please explain the meaning of “Notes”, "Important", “Cautions”, and “Warnings”

(Section - Intro to flight manual)

(Notes: Specifies supplementary and perhaps essential information, which should be recognized in relation to a particular procedure or condition.

Important: Denotes a procedure or condition, which is essential to the correct operation of the balloon.

Caution: Denotes a hazardous procedure or condition, which, if ignored, could damage or destroy the balloon.

Warning! Danger!!! - Denotes hazardous procedure or condition, which, if ignored, could injure or be fatal to the pilot and/or passengers.

When should oxygen be used? (Ref CFR 91.211)

(a) General.  No person may operate a civil aircraft of U.S. registry -

(1) At cabin pressure altitudes above 12,500 feet (MSL) up to and including 14,000 feet (MSL) unless the required minimum flight crew is provided with and uses supplemental oxygen for that part of the flight at those altitudes that is of more than 30 minutes duration;

(2) At cabin pressure altitudes above 14,000 feet (MSL) unless the required minimum flight crew is provided with and uses supplemental oxygen during the entire flight time at those altitudes; and

(3) At cabin pressure altitudes above 15,000 feet (MSL) unless each occupant of the aircraft is provided with supplemental oxygen.