081 Principles of Flight

EASA code: 081

Principles of Flight covers how wings produce lift and drag, how aircraft stall and recover, propeller theory, static and dynamic stability, flight controls, and transonic/high-speed effects.

Chapters

1. Atmosphere & aerofoil — gas laws, wing terminology, angles, pressure
2. Lift & drag — Bernoulli, lift formula, induced and parasite drag, L/D
3. Stall & high-lift devices — stall speed, protection, flaps, slats, spoilers
4. Propellers — fixed and constant-speed props, prop effects
5. Stability & control — longitudinal, lateral, directional, trimming
6. High-speed flight — Mach, shock waves, buffet, flight envelope
7. Key notes — exam quick reference

Exam focus

• Lift and drag formulas; induced drag varies with 1/V²
• Critical angle of attack is fixed; stall speed varies with weight and load factor
• Ground effect reduces induced drag; exiting GE reduces lift
• MCRIT, MMO, tuck-under, mach trim, coffin corner
• VMCA, VMCG, critical engine (left for clockwise props)
• Stick shaker vs stick pusher; flap vs slat effects on critical AoA