Cockpit evolution and instrument panels vary,

but have the same basic functions and

complemenetary ones.

C-208
ATR-42
EFIS

GARMIN 750
TOUCH –
UH60; HUEY II,
BELL 407, C-
C-172S 152
G-1000

FLIGHT CONTROLS
The airspeed indicator shows speed through the air ---
not over the ground.

The pitot tube on

the wing catches
on-rushing air. This
“ram air” is
compared to
“static” air to
determine air
speed.

The static port

measures static or
still air – air that is
not affected by the
airplane’s speed
through the air
BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The airspeed indicator shows speed through the air --- not
over the ground.

The airspeed indicator shows the

aircraft's speed (usually in knots )
relative to the surrounding air. It
works by measuring the ram-air
pressure in the aircraft's pitot tube. BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The airspeed indicator shows speed through the air --- not
over the ground.

The indicated airspeed must be corrected for air

density (which varies with altitude, temperature
and humidity) in order to obtain the true airspeed,
and for wind conditions in order to obtain the
speed over the ground. BASIC INSTRUMENTS
Primary Flight Display (PFD) shows the airspeed
indicating.

BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The attitude direction indicator provides an artificial
horizon to show the pilot the airplane’s position in
relation to the ground.

Here, the airplane is

banking left with its nose
on the horizon —where
brown “ground” meets
blue “sky.”
BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The electronic attitude direction indicator (EADI)
provides artificial horizon in digital form along with
additional info like ILS, speed, DH, turn coordinator.

ATR 42/
KING 200

The attitude indicator (also known as an artificial

horizon) shows the aircraft's attitude relative to the
horizon. From this the pilot can tell whether the wings
are level and if the aircraft nose is pointing above or
BASIC INSTRUMENTS
below the horizon
 GARMIN G5 PRIMARY ELECTRONIC ATTITUDE
DISPLAY - STC'D FOR CERTIFIED AIRCRAFT

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/
catalog/avpages/garmin-g5-
cert.php

BELL 407/206
The Primary Flight Dsiplay (PFD) provides an integral
and real 3D scenery combining GPWS and TCAS data.

This is a primary instrument for

instrument flight and is also useful
in conditions of poor visibility.
CESSNA 172
Pilots are trained to use other
SP
instruments in combination should
this instrument or its power fail.
BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The altimeter measures air pressure outside the airplane
and compares it to air pressure at sea level to determine
altitude.

Like the hands of a clock, the long

hand shows smaller increments
(100s of feet) while the shorter
hand shows larger increments
(1,000s of feet).
This altimeter is reading 1720 feet.
BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The altimeter drum type incorporates only one arrow and
direct reading.

The altimeter shows the aircraft's altitude

above sea-level by measuring the difference
between the pressure in a stack of aneroid
capsules inside the altimeter and the
atmospheric pressure obtained through the
static system.

BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The Primary Flight Display (PFD) shows direct reading,
besides altitude reference, and deviation altitude alarm.

It is adjustable for local barometric pressure which must be set correctly

to obtain accurate altitude readings. As the aircraft ascends, the capsules
expand as the static pressure drops therefore causing the altimeter to
indicate a higher altitude. The opposite occurs when descending.
BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The variometer (VSI / VVI) uses changes in air pressure
to indicate rate of climb or descent.

The VSI (also sometimes

called a variometer).

BASIC INSTRUMENTS
In Primary Flight Dsiplay (PDF) vertical speed indicating is
direct reading and autopilot commanded.

Senses changing air pressure, and displays that

information to the pilot as a rate of climb or descent in
feet per minute, meters per second or knots.
BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The turn coordinator shows if the wings are level or banked.
The position of the ball indicates if the airplane is turning
properly.

Turn Coordinator

The ball is centered

when
the turn is balanced
by rudder

BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The heading indicator / Directional Gyro displays the
direction of flight.

This airplane is heading south

at 175 degrees.

BASIC INSTRUMENTS
The Horizontal Situation Indicator displays the
direction of flight, VOR/ILS nav information.

Principle of operation is a spinning

gyroscope, and is therefore subject to
drift errors (called precession) which
must be periodically corrected by
calibrating the instrument to the
magnetic compass.
BASIC INSTRUMENTS
RADIO MAGNETIC INDICATOR (R.M.I)

Automatic rotary compass with two dial indicators, in which we

can read the ADF and VOR
VOR: Very High Frecuency Omni-
direction Range
ADF: Automatic Direction Finder

COMMUNICATION
RADIOALTIMETER

This type of altimeter provides the distance (HEIGHT)

between the plane and the ground directly below it, as
opposed to a barometric altimeter which provides the distance
above a pre-determined datum, usually sea level.
COMMUNICATION - NAVIGATION
TRANSCEIVER

COMMUNICATION
Pilots increasingly use GPS satellite navigation to display
position and ground speed, locate nearby airports, and
plot course, distance and time to any destination

Bottom: Flat-panel GPS moving maps and

flight displays are just the ones in airliners
and some cars.

Top: GPS can be small,

handheld and portable.