PLT132: Aircraft Performance
What code PLT132 covers, why the FAA tests it, and how to study Aircraft Performance before your checkride.
Recall aircraft performance - instrument markings / airspeed / definitions / indications
What this means for your checkride
The airspeed indicator is color-coded to the airplane's key speeds. The white arc is the flap operating range, the green arc is the normal operating range, the yellow arc is the caution range for smooth air only, and the red line is the never-exceed speed. Reading these tells you the safe speed for each configuration at a glance.
The arcs turn abstract V-speeds into an instant visual reference, so the FAA tests whether you can match each arc and line to the speed and the operation it governs.
The bottom of the white and green arcs get confused. The low end of the white arc is the stall speed with flaps and gear down, while the low end of the green arc is the clean stall speed; they are not the same number.
Where to study it
A code on your test report is an area of deficiency. An authorized instructor must review it with you and endorse that review before you take the practical test, and the examiner may revisit it during the oral. Study it until you can explain it out loud, not just recognize the answer.