REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES

PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS

Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

LABORATORY MODULE NO. 1 (PRELIM)

(FLEXIBLE)

INSTRUMENTS ELEMENTS AND MECHANISM

PART 2

SUBJECT: AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTS (FIXED AND ROTARY)

(PRELIM PERIOD-FLEXIBLE LEARNING MODALITIES)

1|Page
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

TIME COMMITMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS MODULE
Page Time
Reading Materials
ENGINE INSTRUMENTS 4 15 minutes
AIRCRAFT PRESSURE MEASURING 5-11 60 minutes
INSTRUMENTS
REFERENCES
20
Activity Time
Enrichment Activity 1 14,15 50 minutes
Activity 2 (mastery Check) 45 minutes
Quiz 35 minutes
Laboratory activity 16 50 minutes
Laboratory research 60 minutes
Video Materials Time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dy45n6oe3A
45 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfVu4TskOxo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdFGbUouE_4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4mOLr0PHW8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prAQZv6dnho

2|Page
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

Course Learning Outcome (CLO)

Module Learning Outcome(MLO)

CLO1:Able to correlate and
explain other related instruments MLO1: Memorize and identify the
in aircrafts different mechanism inside the Topic Learning Outcome(TLO)
instruments

MLO2: Illustrate every moving TLO1: Interpret the classification

mechanism inside an instrument of instruments and its elements and
mechanism.
MLO3: Describe
the parts and mechanism inside the
instruments

3|Page
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

As an introductory activity, you are encouraged to watch a short video entitled PPL Training /

Aircraft General #32 Engine Instruments (Part 1) and PART 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dy45n6oe3A part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfVu4TskOxo part 2

ENGINE INSTRUMENTS

Engine instruments are those designed to measure operating parameters of the aircraft’s

engine(s). These are usually quantity, pressure, and temperature indications. They also

include measuring engine speed(s). The most common engine instruments are the fuel and oil

quantity and pressure gauges, tachometers, and temperature gauges.

Engine instrumentation is often displayed in the center of the cockpit where it is easily visible

to the pilot and copilot. On light aircraft requiring only one flight crewmember, this may not

be the case. Multiengine aircraft often use a single gauge for a particular engine parameter,

but it displays information for all engines through the use of multiple pointers on the same

dial face.

4|Page
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

AIRCRAFT PRESSURE MEASURING INSTRUMENTS

A number of instruments inform the pilot of the aircraft’s condition and flight situations

through the measurement of pressure. Pressure-sensing instruments can be found in the flight

group and the engine group. They can be either direct reading or remote sensing. These are

some of the most critical instruments on the aircraft and must accurately inform the pilot to

maintain safe operations. Pressure measurement involves some sort of mechanism that can

sense changes in pressure. A technique for calibration and displaying the information is then

added to inform the pilot. The type of pressure needed to be measured often makes one

sensing mechanism more suited for use in a particular instance. The three fundamental

pressure-sensing mechanisms used in aircraft instrument systems are the Bourdon tube, the

diaphragm or bellows, and the solid-state sensing device.

A Bourdon tube is illustrated in Figure 1. The open end of this coiled tube is fixed in place

and the other end is sealed and free to move. When a fluid that needs to be measured is

directed into the open end of the tube, the unfixed portion of the coiled tube tends to

straighten out. The higher the pressure of the fluid, the more the tube straightens. When the

pressure is reduced, the tube recoils. A pointer is attached to this moving end of the tube,

usually through a linkage of small shafts and gears. By calibrating this motion of the

straightening tube, a face or dial of the instrument can be created. Thus, by observing the

pointer movement along the scale of the instrument face positioned behind it, pressure

increases and decreases are communicated to the pilot.

5|Page
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

BOURDON TUBE PARTS

The Bourdon tube is the internal mechanism for many pressure gauges used on aircraft.

When high pressures need to be measured, the tube is designed to be stiff. Gauges used to

6|Page
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

indicate lower pressures use a more flexible tube that uncoils and coils more readily. Most

Bourdon tubes are made from brass, bronze, or copper. Alloys of these metals can be made to

coil and uncoil the tube consistently numerous times.

Bourdon tube gauges are simple and reliable. Some of the instruments that use a Bourdon

tube mechanism include the engine oil pressure gauge, hydraulic pressure gauge, oxygen tank

pressure gauge, and deice boot pressure gauge. Since the pressure of the vapor produced by a

heated liquid or gas increases as temperature increases, Bourdon tube mechanisms can also

be used to measure temperature. This is done by calibrating the pointer connecting linkage

and relabeling the face of the gauge with a temperature scale. Oil temperature gauges often

employ Bourdon tube mechanisms.

7|Page
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

The Bourdon tube mechanism can be used to measure pressure or temperature by

recalibrating the pointer’s connecting linkage and scaling instrument face to read in degrees

Celsius or Fahrenheit

Since the sensing and display of pressure or temperature information using a Bourdon tube

mechanism usually occurs in a single instrument housing, they are most often direct reading

gauges. But the Bourdon tube sensing device can also be used remotely. Regardless, it is

necessary to direct the fluid to be measured into the Bourdon tube. For example, a common

direct-reading gauge measuring engine oil pressure and indicating it to the pilot in the cockpit

is mounted in the instrument panel. A small length of tubing connects a pressurized oil port

on the engine, runs though the firewall, and into the back of the gauge.

This setup is especially functional on light, single-engine aircraft in which the engine is

mounted just forward of the instrument panel in the forward end of the fuselage. However, a

remote sensing unit can be more practical on twin-engine aircraft where the engines are a

long distance from the cockpit pressure display. Here, the Bourdon tube’s motion is

converted to an electrical signal and carried to the cockpit display via a wire. This is lighter

and more efficient, eliminating the possibility of leaking fluids into the passenger

compartment of the aircraft.

8|Page
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

The diaphragm and bellows are two other basic sensing mechanisms employed in aircraft

instruments for pressure measurement. The diaphragm is a hollow, thin-walled metal disk,

usually corrugated. When pressure is introduced through an opening on one side of the disk,

the entire disk expands. By placing linkage in contact against the other side of the disk, the

movement of the pressurized diaphragm can be transferred to a pointer that registers the

movement against the scale on the instrument face.

9|Page
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

Diaphragms can also be sealed. The diaphragm can be evacuated before sealing, retaining

absolutely nothing inside. When this is done, the diaphragm is called an aneroid. Aneroids

are used in many flight instruments. A diaphragm can also be filled with a gas to standard

atmospheric pressure and then sealed. Each of these diaphragms has their uses, which are

described in the next section. The common factor in all is that the expansion and contraction

of the side wall of the diaphragm is the movement that correlates to increasing and decreasing

pressure.

10 | P a g e
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

When a number of diaphragm chambers are connected together, the device is called a

bellows. This accordion like assembly of diaphragms can be very useful when measuring the

difference in pressure between two gases, called differential pressure. Just as with a single

diaphragm, it is the movement of the side walls of the bellows assembly that correlates with

changes in pressure and to which a pointer linkage and gearing is attached to inform the

pilot. 

A bellows unit in a differential pressure gauge compares two different pressure values. End

movement of the bellows away from the side with the highest pressure input occurs when the

pressures in the bellows are not equal. The indicator linkage is calibrated to display the

difference.

11 | P a g e
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

Safety Guidelines for Laboratory Activity

ALWAYS read the directions of the assigned Laboratory Activity completely, before
beginning. This helps you carry out the activity faster as you will understand the purpose of
the activity, and you will be able to recognize possible hazards up front.
The following safety standards be strictly adhered to:
• Keep the supplementary materials safely away from children.
• Wear approved eye protection at all times doing your lab activities.
• Confine long hair when doing your lab activities.
• Perform no unauthorized experiments.
• Select a safe site for lab activities in your home that is well ventilated, and protected
from spills, children and pets. Use a work area, such as your kitchen, where there is a flat and
stable working surface, and access to water and various supplies.
• Have no food or drink in the area.
• Never place any instrument or materials in your mouth.
• Wash your hands before taking a break for a snack or meal.
For Emergencies:
• Have the following emergency equipment handy in your working area: a fire
extinguisher, water, a first aid kit, and a telephone.

12 | P a g e
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

SAFETY CLAUSE:

For this laboratory activity, I make the following truthful statement:

I understand that precautions shall be taken to ensure my health and safety while

performing the laboratory activities during Flexible/Residential Learning. I am aware that

I should be familiar with the safety policies and procedures. I shall ensure that I have my

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like gloves, face masks, eye protection to prevent

hazards and accidents.

_______________________

Signature over printed name of the student

13 | P a g e
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT

For this exam/quiz/activity, I make the following truthful statement: I understand that acts

of academic dishonesty shall be penalized to the full extent as indicated in the provision of

the PhilSCA Student Manual (page 30, No.6.)

__________________________

Signature of Student over Printed Name

ACTIVITY 1

IDENTIFY THE PARTS WRITE YOUR ANSWER IN THE APPROPRIATE B0X

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

14 | P a g e
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

ACTIVITY 2 (MASTERY CHECK)

IDENTIFY THE PARTS AND WRITE YOUR ANSWER IN THE APPROPRIATE

B0X

1
2
3
4
5
6

LABORATORY ACTIVITY

15 | P a g e
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

ENUMERATE AND NAME EACH COMPONENT OF YOUR CHOOSEN ENGINE

INSTR

UMENTS

LABORATORY RESEARCH

RESEARCH FOR TYPES OF PRESSURES RELATING TO INSTRUMENTS. Be

guided by the Assessment Rubric for writing research paper.

ASSESMENT RUBRICS

Description: This rubric will help you know exactly what I am expecting to find in an
essay.

5/ 4 / 3 / 2 / NEEDS 1 /
EXCELLE VERY AVERAG IMPROVEM UNACCEPTA
NT GOOD E ENT BLE

Ideas This paper is This The writer Topic is not As yet, the paper
clear and paper is is well-defined has no clear sense
focused. It mostly beginning and/or there are of purpose or
holds the focused, to define too many topics. central theme. To
reader's and has the topic, extract meaning

16 | P a g e
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

attention. some even from the text, the

Relevant good though reader must make
details and details developme inferences based
quotes enrich and nt is still on sketchy or
the central quotes. basic or missing details.
theme. general.

The Paper The Sentences within The writing lacks

organization (and organizatio paragraphs make a clear sense of
enhances and paragrap nal sense, but the direction. Ideas,
showcases hs) are structure is order of details, or events
the central mostly strong paragraphs does seem strung
idea or organize enough to not. together in a loose
theme. The d, in move the or random
Organizati
order, order, reader fashion; there is
on
structure of and through the no identifiable
information makes text without internal structure.
is compelling sense to too much
and moves the confusion.
the reader reader.
through the
text.

Sentence The writing The The text The text seems The reader has to
Fluency has an easy writing hums along choppy and is practice quite a
flow, rhythm, mostly with a not easy to read bit in order to
and cadence. flows, steady beat, orally. give this paper a
Sentences are and but tends to fair interpretive
well built, usually be more reading.
with strong invites businesslik
and varied oral e than
structure that musical,

17 | P a g e
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

invites reading. more

expressive mechanical
oral reading. than fluid.

The writer The write The writer The writer seems Errors in spelling,
demonstrates understan shows to have made punctuation,
a good grasp ds good reasonable little effort to capitalization,
of standard writing control use conventions: usage, and
writing conventi over a spelling, grammar and/or
conventions ons and limited punctuation, paragraphing
(e.g., usually range of capitalization, repeatedly distract
spelling, uses standard usage, grammar the reader and
punctuation, them writing and/or make the text
capitalization correctly. convention paragraphing difficult to read.
, grammar, Paper is s. have multiple
Conventio usage, easily Convention errors.
ns paragraphing read and s are
) and uses errors are sometimes
conventions rare; handled
effectively to minor well and
enhance touch- enhance
readability. ups readability;
would at other
get this times,
piece errors are
ready to distracting
publish. and impair
readability.

Presentati The form and The The writer's The writer's The reader
on presentation format message is message is only receives a garbled
of the text only has understand understandable message due to

18 | P a g e
 REPUBLICOFTHEPHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE STATE COLLEGE OF AERONAUTICS
Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas

Institute of Engineering and Technology

First Semester, A.Y 2020–2021

enhances the a few able in this occasionally, problems relating

ability for the mistakes format. and paper is to the presentation
reader to and is messily written. of the text, and is
understand generally not typed.
and connect easy to
with the read and
message. It is pleasing
pleasing to to the
the eye. eye.

TOTAL POINTS: 25

REFERENCES

1. Gyroscopic flight instruments (Part one). (2020, April 3). Flight

Literacy. https://www.flightliteracy.com/gyroscopic-flight-instruments-part-one/

2. Info. (2020, September 13). How does your attitude gyro work? Aeronautical

Aviation. https://www.aeronautical.co.za/attitude-gyro-work

3. Aircraft flight instruments explained. (2020, February 16). Southern

Wings. https://www.southernwings.co.nz/aircraft-flight-instruments-

explained/#:~:text=These%20are%20the%20instruments%20that,Coordinator%2C

%20and%20Vertical%20Speed%20Indicator

19 | P a g e