6.

11 FLIGHT
INSTRUMENTS

Refs: FTGU pp 33-45

1
Class Outline
 Review of The Magnetic Compass
 Pitot-Static Instruments
 Gyroscope-based Instruments

2
Review
 What lines does a magnetic compass point
along?
The compass points along magnetic field lines that
are generally perpendicular to the surface of the Earth
 What is the difference between the North Pole
and where a compass points?
Magnetic and True North are located in different
positions, the difference is known as variation
 What happens to the compass as you get closer
to the magnetic poles
The magnet ‘dips’ to follow the field lines and can act
erroneously

3
Review
 What occurs when turning from a Northerly
heading?
The compass lags due to magnetic dip effects
 What if you accelerate on an Easterly heading?
The compass registers a turn to the North
 Why do we perform a compass swing? What is
this effect we are correcting for called?
To remove the effects of any internal magnetism of the
plane (magnetic and electrical components). The
effect we are counteracting is magnetic deviation

4
 Theory of Flight 6.11

The Pitot-Static System

5
The Pitot-Static System

6
Altimeter
 Measures height based on internal, sealed pressure
Pressure Error
Temperature Error
Mountain Effect
 Types of Altitude
Indicated
Pressure
Density
True
Absolute
 Radar Altimeter

7
Airspeed Indicator
 Difference between static and dynamic (ram)
pressure
Density Error
Position Error
Lag
Ice and Water Errors
 Airspeeds
Red – Vne
Yellow – Va
Green – Vno
White – Vfe
ICE-T: Indicated, Calibrated, Equivalent, True
Pretty Cool Drink – Position, Compression, Density
8
9
Inside an Airspeed Indicator:

10
By the way, there is more than one type of “airspeed”:

11
Vertical Speed Indicator
 Change in outside, static pressure
 Small hole vents pressure difference
over time
 LAG

12
The Magnetic Compass - Review
 Construction
 True Direction
 Magnetic Direction
 Compass Direction
 Errors
Deviation
○ West is Best, East is Least
Magnetic Dip
Northerly Turning Error
Acceleration Error
○ Acceleration North, Deceleration South
13
Theory of Flight 6.11

Gyroscopic Instruments

14
Gyroscopes
 Electrical
 Engine
 Venturi

 Precession:
define =

15
 Heading Indicator,
aka Directional Gyro
 Set on ground, reset in air to match compass
when level
 Precession (because of, reset every 15 minutes)
 Apparent Precession

16
Attitude Indicator
 Artificial Horizon, driven by vacuum
system
 Takes ~5 minutes to ‘spin up’

Degrees of bank angle

Degrees of pitch, up

Degrees of pitch, down

17
Examples of attitude indicator readings:

Note: for a test one of these instrument indications will be shown and
you will have to answer as to what the aircraft is doing.
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How many degrees
of left bank is this
airplane at?
45

19
Turn and Bank (Slip) Indicator and
Turn Co-ordinator
 Needle/Aircraft attached to electric gyro (usually)
 Ball subject to gravity/other acceleration,
shows a skid or a slip in a turn, “step on the ball” to
correct
 Turn co-ordinator senses ‘yaw’ and ‘roll’

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This T&BI is showing a right turn…

... and where the ball will move in a properly

coordinated turn with the correct input of rudder,
then in a skid, then in a slip.

By the way, how long will it take this aircraft to

complete a 360 degree turn at this angle of bank?
21
Also remember the loading of gravity plus the
increase of stall speed on an airplane in a turn/bank:

22
Summary
 Review of:
The Compass
 Pitot-Static System
Altimeter
Airspeed Indicator
Vertical Speed Indicator
 Gyroscopic Instruments
Heading Indicator
Attitude Indicator
Turn and Bank/Turn Co-Ordinator

23
Next Class

 Homework:
 Complete Instruments question sheet,
use FGU to answer.
 Skim Read FGU Chpt. 9 pp 231-259 to
familiarize for Radio Navigation
Instruments

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