Question

Ensure the WINGFOLD switch is lever-locked in the _______ position during takeoff checks. If the wings are commanded to unlock or fold during a catapult shot, bolter, or touch and go, the wings will unlock, the ailerons will fair, the wings may fold partially, and the aircraft will ______.

Answer 1

Ensure the WINGFOLD switch is lever-locked in the LOCKED position during takeoff checks to prevent the wings from folding during critical flight operations, potentially causing a crash.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the procedures involving an aircraft's WINGFOLD switch, which is used to control the folding mechanism of an aircraft's wings, typically found in naval aviation for storage on aircraft carriers. During pre-flight or takeoff checks, it is critical to ensure that the WINGFOLD switch is lever-locked in the LOCKED position. This measure is taken to prevent any potential malfunction or accidental engagement of the wing folding mechanism during critical phases of flight such as a catapult launch, bolter (failed landing attempt on a carrier requiring a go-around), or a touch-and-go maneuver. If the WINGFOLD switch is not properly secured, the aircraft's wings may begin to fold upon activation, which could lead to a catastrophic failure of the aircraft's structure and control surfaces such as the ailerons, ultimately resulting in the loss of aircraft control and potential crash.