CPL ATG CAT 2
STUDENT’S FULL NAME:
LICENCE NO:
ID No. / Passport No. :
EXAMINATION DATE:
STUDENT SIGNATURE:
CPL Aircraft General Knowledge CAT 2
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS
2. READ EACH QUESTION CAREFULLY
3. THE PASS MARK IS 70%
4. TIME ALLOWED: 2 WEEKS
Effective Date – Oct 2020 Aircraft General Knowledge Oct – Dec 2020 Intake
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CPL ATG CAT 2
Effective Date – Oct 2020 Aircraft General Knowledge Oct – Dec 2020 Intake
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CPL ATG CAT 2
ELECTRICS
General, definitions, basic applications:
Circuit breakers combine the function of fuse and switch and can be used for switching circuits on and off in
certain circumstances. They are fitted to protect equipment from damage resulting from overload, or fault
conditions. The design and construction of CBs is wide and varied. Generally, the CB incorporates an
automatic thermo-sensitive tripping device and a manually or electrically operated switch. Some electrically
operated CBs may also include electromagnetic and reverse current tripping devices.
logic circuits
Static electricity
1. Explain static electricity.
2. Describe a static discharger and explain its purpose.
3. Explain why an aircraft must first be grounded before refueling/defueling.
4. Explain the reason for electrical bonding.
5. Explain the reason for electrical screening
Direct current
1. Explain the basic principles of conductivity and give examples of conductors, semiconductors and
insulators.
2. State the operating principle of mechanical (toggle, rocker, push and pull), thermo, time and proximity
switches.
Toggle switches or switch lights can be guarded to prevent inadvertent operation, e.g. generator
disconnects the fuel dump master
Bimetallic switches or thermo are temperature sensitive switches and are activated when a certain value
of temperature is reached to provide an indication to the pilot or to activate / deactivate a circuit, e.g. fire
detection circuits, battery overheat switch, oil temperature warning light.
Proximity detectors are electrical or electronic sensors that respond to the presence of a material. The
electrical or electronic response is used to activate a switch, relay or transistor. There are many types of
proximity detectors, the major types being inductive, capacitive and magnetic. The inductive and magnetic
Effective Date – Oct 2020 Aircraft General Knowledge Oct – Dec 2020 Intake
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CPL ATG CAT 2
sensors need the monitored material to be metal, but the capacitive type can monitor either metal or non-
metal materials.
Time switches or relays can be initiated electrically or mechanically to activate a circuit after a
specific time interval has occurred, e.g. auxiliary power unit air intake door closes 30 seconds
after APU has shut down.
3. Define ‘voltage’, ‘current and resistance’, and state their unit of measurement.
4. Explain Ohm’s law in qualitative terms.
In a closed circuit there is a relationship between Voltage, Current and Resistance. If the voltage remains
constant, any increase in resistance will cause a decrease in current and vice-versa (current inversely
proportional to resistance). If the resistance remains the same, any increase in voltage will cause an
increase in current and vice- versa (current directly proportional to voltage). This is expressed as Ohm’s
Law: V = IR And by transposition I = or R = V R V I
5. Explain the effect on total resistance when resistors are connected in series or in parallel.
6. Define ‘electrical work and power’ in qualitative terms and state the unit of measurement.
7. Define the term ‘electrical field’ and ‘magnetic field’ in qualitative terms and explain the difference with
the aid of the Lorentz force (Electromotive Force (EMF)).
8. Explain the term ‘capacitance’ and explain the use of a capacitor as a storage device.
Alternating current
1. Explain the term ‘alternating current’ (AC).
2. Define the term ‘phase’.
3. Explain the principle of single-phase and three-phase AC and state its use in the aircraft.
4. Define ‘frequency’ in qualitative terms and state the unit of measurement.
5. Explain the use of a particular frequency in aircraft.
6. Define ‘phase shift’ in qualitative terms.
Resistors, capacitors, inductance coil
1. Describe the relation between voltage and current of an ohmic resistor in an AC/DC circuit.
2. Describe the relation between voltage and current of a capacitor in an AC/DC circuit.
3. Describe the relation between voltage and current of a coil in an AC/DC circuit.
Permanent magnets
1. Explain the term ‘magnetic flux’.
2. State the pattern and direction of the magnetic flux outside the magnetic poles and inside the magnet.
Circuit breakers
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CPL ATG CAT 2
1. Explain the operating principle of a fuse and a circuit breaker.
2. Explain how a fuse is rated.
3. State the difference between a ‘trip-free’ and ‘non-trip-free’ circuit breaker.
4. List the following different types of circuit breakers:
— thermal circuit breaker;
— magnetic circuit breaker.
Batteries
Types, characteristics and limitations
1. State the function of an aircraft battery.
2. Name the types of rechargeable batteries used in aircraft.
3. Compare lead-acid and nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries with respect to weight, voltage, load behaviour,
self-discharge, charging characteristics, thermal runaway and storage life.
4. Explain the term ‘cell voltage’.
5. Explain the difference between battery voltage and charging voltage.
6. State the charging voltage that corresponds with different battery voltages.
7. Define the term ‘capacity of batteries’ and state the unit of measurement used.
8. State the effect of temperature on battery capacity.
9. State the relationship between voltage and capacity when batteries are connected in series or in parallel.
Transformers, transformer rectifier units, static inverters
1. State the function of a transformer and its operating principle.
2. State the function of a Transformer Rectifier Unit (TRU), its operating principle and the voltage output.
3. State the function of static inverters, their operating principle and the voltage output.
Distribution
1. Explain the function of a bus (bus bar).
2. Describe the function of the following buses:
— main bus,
— tie bus,
— essential bus,
— emergency bus,
— ground bus,
— battery bus,
— hot (battery) bus.
3. Explain the function of external power.
4. Explain the term ‘load sharing’.
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CPL ATG CAT 2
5. Explain the term ‘load shedding’.
6. Give examples of AC consumers.
7. Describe how batteries are monitored.
8. Electrical motors
9. State that the purpose of an electric motor
10. Explain the operating principle of an electric motor
11. Name the following components of an electric motor and explain their function:
— rotor (rotating part of an electric motor);
— stator (stationary part of an electric motor).
Constant Speed Drive (CSD) and Integrated Drive Generator (IDG) systems.
1. Describe the function and the working principle of a CSD.
2. Explain the parameters of a CSD that are monitored.
3. Describe the function and the working principle of an IDG.
4. Explain the consequences of a mechanical disconnection during flight for a CSD and an IDG.
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