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Attitude Directional Indicator: Technical
Attitude Directional Indicator: Technical
ADI
Attitude Directional Indicator
B Y R A L P H G R A V E S
W
hile there are many ver- least understood of the flight instru-
sions of the attitude direc- ments. This is for good reason on both
tional indicator (ADI) that counts. It gives the pilot a visual indi-
provides the pilot with verity of flight cation of the aircraftʼs attitude in rela-
information, one thing that is common tion to the surface of the earth, and has
to all of them is their ability to indicate more factors affecting its operation
the aircraftʼs attitude in pitch and roll than any instrument in the aircraft.
in relation to the surface of the earth To aid us in understanding the oper-
The basic functions of this flight in- ation of the ADI we need to start with
strument have been with us for a very some basic aircraft instrument theory.
long time and have carried a variety of The primary purpose of any instru-
names such as, Attitude Gyro, Gyro ment system is the transformation of
Horizon, Artificial Horizon and oth- certain information or condition into a ADI
ers. I like the name Artificial Horizon useful visual indication on the aircraft lished or known point to the desired
because it best describes the primary instrument. In most cases, there are at unknown, and provide us with a vi-
function of the instrument. That is, to least two parts to any indicating sys- sual indication of some measurement
provide the pilot or pilots with an arti- tem: the “Sensor” that senses or mea- from this known, established reference
ficial horizon when the true horizon is sures the information for the indicator; point. If this established, or known ref-
not visible to them. and the “indicator” that converts this erence point changes, so does the vi-
In the AID indicator (center) is a information into a visual analog or sual indication of the instrument, pro-
recent panel-mounted ADI. The two digital display. Like most systems, any viding us with an erroneous pictorial
cut-a-way instruments are from an era instrument system is only as good as indication.
past, when manufacturers wanted their its weakest point. There is a misconception accepted
customers to see what their products I think it could be said that all air- by many of those personnel who use
were made of. craft instruments could be classified as and service aircraft instrument systems.
It has been my conception that the differential instruments because they In our modern aviation society, and the
ADI is the most widely used and the indicate changes from some estab- public in general, there is a general