ELEC 211

BASIC AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENT

 OBJECTIVES

AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTS
- To be able to familiarized with different flight and
engine instruments.

- To be able to learn, understand and interpret the working

mechanism of each instrument.
 Flight Instruments

 Introduction
 Aircraft became a practical means of transportation
when accurate flight instruments freed the pilot from the
necessity of maintaining visual contact with the ground.

 Flight instruments are crucial to conducting safe flight

operations and it is important that the pilot have a basic
understanding of their operation.
 Introduction

 Flight instruments enable an airplane to be operated with

maximum performance and enhanced safety, especially when
flying long distances.

 Manufacturers provide the necessary flight instruments, but to use

them effectively, pilots need to understand how they operate.

 This chapter covers the operational aspects of the pitot-static

system and associated instruments, the vacuum system and
associated instruments, and the magnetic compass.
 Introduction

 Also basic flight instruments required for operation under

visual flight rules (VFR) are airspeed indicator, altimeter
and magnetic direction indicator

 In addition to these, operation under instrument flight

rules (IFR) requires a gyroscopic rate of turn indicator,
slip-skid indicator, sensitive altimeter adjustment for
barometric pressure and more are will be discuss in the
radio navigational instruments.
International Standard Atmosphere
(ISA) Condition
 Provides us common reference for temperature and
pressure change.

Standard Pressure -
29.92 In. Hg
1013.2 mb / hPa.
Standard Temperature –
150 C
590 F
Standard lapse rate –
1,000’ altitude gain,
decrease of 20C (3.50F),
decrease of 1.00 in. Hg
AIRPLANE FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS
 6 Basic Instruments
PITOT- STATIC SYSTEM GYROSCOPIC SYSTEM
A. AIRSPEED INDICATOR A. ATTITUDE
INDICATOR

B. ALTIMETER B. HEADING
INDICATOR

C. VERTICAL SPEED C. TURN

INDICTOR COORDINATOR
PITOT-STATIC FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS

 There are two major parts of the pitot-static system: the impact pressure
chamber and lines, and the static pressure chamber and lines.

 They provide the source of ambient air pressure for the operation of the
altimeter, vertical speed indicator (vertical velocity indicator), and the
airspeed indicator.
Pitot pressure or impact air pressure is sensed through an open-end
tube pointed directly into the relative wind flowing around the
aircraft.
The pitot tube connects to pressure operated flight instruments such
as the air speed indicator
IMPACT PRESSURE CHAMBER
AND LINES

 In this system, the impact air pressure (air striking the airplane because
of its forward motion) is taken from a pitot tube, which is mounted in
locations that provide minimum disturbance or turbulence caused by the
motion of the airplane through the air.

 The static air pressure (pressure of the still air) is usually taken from the
static line attached to a vent or vents mounted flush with the side of the
fuselage.

 This compensates for any possible variation in static pressure due to

erratic changes in airplane attitude.
 The openings of both the pitot tube and the static port must be
checked during the pre-flight inspection to assure that they are free
from obstructions.

 Blocked or partially blocked openings should be cleaned by a

certificated mechanic. Blowing into these openings is not
recommended because this could damage the instruments.

 As the airplane moves through the air, the impact pressure on the open
pitot tube affects the pressure in the pitot chamber. Any change of
pressure in the pitot chamber is transmitted through a line connected to
the airspeed indicator, which utilizes impact pressure for its operation.
 STATIC PRESSURE CHAMBER AND
LINES

 The static chamber is vented through small holes to the free

undisturbed air, and as the atmospheric pressure increases or
decreases, the pressure in the static chamber changes accordingly.
 Again, this pressure change is transmitted through lines to the
instruments which utilize static pressure.

 An alternate source for static pressure is provided in some

airplanes in the event the static ports become blocked.
 This source usually is vented to the pressure inside the cockpit.
PITOT TUBE
STATIC PORT
Pitot heat Alternate static
source
Pitot-static instruments