German Aerospace Center

Aviation and Space Psychology

Physics Knowledge
Hamburg, Germany - General Remarks -

Introduction
Everybody engaging in pilot training encounters phenomena and aspects that have a scientific
background. Especially physics and mathematics but even a good share of geography,
chemistry and biology are therefore the basis for a full comprehension of all principles in
aerodynamics, navigation, weather, aircraft systems, weight and balance, physiology, etc. If
you have not had these subjects in school it is recommended to brush up your skills before
attending the DLR assessment, but even more important: before you enter the flight school! If
you have not been interested in natural science until today, please ask yourself seriously
whether working as a pilot really suites your talents and interests most.
From a licence holder we expect an even more profound knowledge and understanding not
only of the aeronautical basics but also of the underlying scientific laws and phenomena –
regardless of the time period since your High School days or your flight training.

Physics
When preparing for flight training (as an Ab Initio) or for a job as a pilot (as a Ready Entry),
make sure you understand the keywords listed below.

ƒ Inertia, motion ƒ Bernoulli’s law

ƒ Force ƒ Viscosity
ƒ Velocity ƒ Laminar / turbulent flow, vortex
ƒ Acceleration ƒ Thermal energy, thermal conduction,
ƒ Weight convection
ƒ Mass ƒ Phases (solid, liquid, gaseous), phase
ƒ Newton’s Laws transition
ƒ Energy ƒ humidity (absolute, relative)
ƒ Work ƒ electromagnetic radiation
ƒ Systéme International d’Unités / SI units ƒ (visible) light, colours
ƒ Torque, lever arm, pivot ƒ laws of Thermodynamics
ƒ Friction, traction ƒ Pendulums, harmonic oscillators
ƒ Angular velocity ƒ Waves (travelling, standing,
ƒ Fluids (liquids & gases) electromagnetic), sound, resonance
ƒ Atoms, molecules ƒ Electricity, electrostatic forces, Coulomb,
ƒ Pressure, suction, vacuum, density voltage, electric polarization, conductors,
ƒ Temperature, Kelvin, Celsius, Fahrenheit insulators, electric current, electromagnetic
ƒ Atmosphere, air pressure induction, Ohm’s law, current (AC, DC),
ƒ Buoyancy power, transformers, generators
ƒ Pumps, Hydraulic systems ƒ Magnetism

By the way, understanding something means being able

1. to give a precise definition.
2. to explain it by using descriptions or examples.
3. to apply your knowledge to other processes or phenomena in everyday life and/or aviation.

QMH-DLR-ME-HH- DLR – Physics Knowledge - General.doc 23.10.2007 (Rh)

Preparing Physics
You can use your old school books to brush up your knowledge or go to a public library and
ask for books aiming at ‘high school physics’, ‘basic physics’, ‘physics of everyday life’, or
‘simple science’. If you would like to refer to the internet, try www.wikipedia.org as a
comprehensive source of information (not only about physics), www.howstuffworks.com, or
www.fearofphysics.com.
Familiarize yourself with examples for the application of simple physical phenomena, e. g.
spring scale, falling object, thrown object, bouncing ball, wheel, carousel, roller coaster,
bumper car, ramp, seesaw, lever, wheel barrow, bicycle, car, train, aeroplane, spacecraft,
weather, air pressure, balloon, fog, rain, water pump, refrigerator, air condition, generator,
steam engine, internal combustion engine, Diesel engine, multi-cylinder engine, jet engine, to
name just a few… Look around in your environment to discover more! Train explaining the
physics behind those things to other people.
Your knowledge and understanding of basic physics will be checked with a computerized test
and additionally during the interview.

QMH-DLR-ME-HH- DLR – Physics Knowledge - General.doc 23.10.2007 (Rh)