instruments

• What are the basic instruments for flying?

  Airspeed indicator, attitude indicator, altimeter, turn coordinator, heading indicator, and vertical speed indicator
• What components make up the Pitot-static system?


  • Airspeed indicator
  • Vertical-speed indicator
  • Altimeter
• How is the Pitot tube positioned on an airplane?


  The Pitot tube faces into the stream of air
• What is the function of the static vent in the Pitot-static system?


  The static vent measures static air pressure without impact air measurement
• What does the airspeed indicator measure?


  The indicated airspeed of the airplane in knots
• How does the airspeed indicator work?


  It measures the difference between ram air pressure and static air pressure
• What does the red radial line on the airspeed indicator indicate?


  The never exceed velocity
• What does the yellow arc on the airspeed indicator represent?


  The cautionary range
• What does the white arc on the airspeed indicator indicate?


  The permissible limit of flap operation
• What is the airspeed range for light aircraft on the airspeed indicator?


  0 – 160 knots
• What is the airspeed range for large and faster aircraft on the airspeed indicator?


  0 – 430 knots
• What happens to the airspeed indicator when the airplane is parked on the ground?


  It indicates an airspeed of 0
• How does the airspeed indicator function during flight?


  The pressure in the Pitot tube is greater than the ambient pressure
• What is true airspeed?


  True airspeed is the actual speed of the airplane through the air
• How can true airspeed be calculated if temperature, pressure, and indicated airspeed are known?


  True airspeed can be calculated using indicated airspeed adjusted for altitude
• How do you estimate true airspeed for Flight Simulator purposes?

  Multiply indicated airspeed by \(1 + 1.5\% \) for each 1000 feet above sea level
• If flying at 5000 feet with an indicated airspeed of 100 knots, what is the true airspeed?


  Approximately 107.5 knots
• What does the altimeter measure?


  How high the airplane is above sea level
• How does the altimeter display altitude?


  It has two hands indicating hundreds and thousands of feet
• What is the function of the small indicator on the altimeter?


  It indicates tens of thousands of feet
• What does the altimeter measure pressure in?


  Inches of mercury
• Why must the altimeter be set to the current altimeter setting?


  To ensure accurate altitude readings
• What is a mechanical error in the altimeter?


  When the scale is not correctly oriented
• What is hysteresis error in the altimeter?


  When the aircraft maintains a certain altitude for an extended period, causing a sudden change in reading
• What is installation error in the altimeter?


  Change of alignment of the static port
• What does the vertical speed indicator show?


  Whether the airplane is climbing, descending, or flying at a constant altitude
• How is the vertical speed indicator graduated?


  In hundreds of feet per minute
• What happens to the diaphragm in the vertical speed indicator during a climb?


  The pressure inside the diaphragm decreases, causing it to contract
• What does the vertical speed indicator indicate during level flight?


  It indicates level flight
• What happens to the diaphragm in the vertical speed indicator during a descent?


  The pressure inside the diaphragm increases, causing it to expand
• What are the functions of the attitude indicator?


  • Indicates pitch (fore and aft tilt)
  • Indicates bank or roll (side to side tilt)
• How does the attitude indicator establish an inertial platform?


  It uses a gyroscope powered by a vacuum pump or electrical motor
• What do the marks around the top half of the attitude indicator represent?


  Angles of bank of 10°, 20°, 30°, 60°, and 90°
• What do the two white or yellow horizontal lines on the attitude indicator represent?


  The wings of the symbolic aircraft
• What does it mean if the symbolic aircraft dot is above the horizon line on the attitude indicator?


  The aircraft is nose up
• What does it mean if the symbolic aircraft dot is below the horizon line on the attitude indicator?


  The aircraft is nose down
• What does the reference arm on the attitude indicator do?


  It remains upright relative to the actual horizon
• How does the turn coordinator function?


  It indicates the rate of turn and the roll rate of the airplane
• What does the inclinometer in the turn coordinator indicate?


  Whether the use of rudder and aileron is coordinated
• What happens if the ball in the inclinometer moves to the outside of the turn?


  The airplane is skidding