Aircraft Instrument Flashcards
Combined system
that utilizes the
static air pressure
and the dynamic
pressure due to
the motion of the
aircraft through
the air
Pitot-Static Instruments
An instrument that measures
the height of an aircraft
above a given pressure leve
Altimeter
read directly from the
altimeter (uncorrected) when it is set to the
current altimeter setting.
Indicated altitude
the vertical distance of the
aircraft above sea level. Often expresses as
feet above mean sea level (MSL)
True altitude
the vertical distance of an
aircraft above the terrain, or above ground
level (AGL)
Absolute altitude
: the altitude indicated when
the altimeter setting window is adjusted to
29.92” Hg or 1013 hPa. This is the altitude
above the standard datum plane.
Pressure altitude
pressure altitude corrected for
variations from standard temperature. If
temperature is above standard, density
altitude is higher than pressure altitude and
vice versa
Density altitude
Sometimes called a vertical
velocity indicator (VVI),
indicates whether the aircraft
is climbing, descending, or in
level flight.
Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
Rate of climb or descent is
indicated in
feet per minute
(fpm)
A sensitive, differential
pressure gauge that
measures and promptly
indicates the difference
between pitot and static
pressure.
Airspeed Indicator (ASI)
Measures the aircraft’s
speed through air
Airspeed Indicator (ASI)
direct instrument
reading obtained, uncorrected for variations in atmospheric density, installation error, or
instrument error.
Indicated airspeed (IAS)
IAS corrected for
installation error and instrument error
Calibrated airspeed (CAS)
CAS corrected for altitude
and nonstandard temperature.
True airspeed (TAS)
actual speed of the
airplane over the ground
Groundspeed (GS)
stalling speed in the
landing configuration
VS0
stalling speed in a
specific configuration
VS1
flap operating
speed
White arc
: maximum flap
extended speed
VFE
normal
operating range of the
airplane
Green arc
maximum structural
cruising speed. Do not
exceed this speed except
in smooth air.
VNO
caution range
Yellow arc
never exceed speed
VNE
Design maneuvering speed; the maximum
speed at which the structural design’s limit
load can be imposed without causing
structural damage.
VA
Landing gear operating speed; the
maximum speed for extending or retracting
the landing gear.
VLO
Landing gear extended speed; the
maximum speed at which an aircraft can be
safely flown with the landing gear extended
VLE
Decision speed; the maximum speed at
which the pilot must take the first action in
order to stop the airplane within the remaining
accelerate stop distance.
V1
Take-off safety speed; referenced airspeed
obtained after lift-off at which the required
one-engine inoperative climb performance
can be achieved.
V2
Rotate speed; the speed at which rotation
is initiated with the intention of becoming
airborne
VR
Lift-off speed; the speed at which the
airplane first becomes airborne which is at the
moment when the main wheels have left the
runway.
VLOF
Best angle-of-climb speed; the airspeed at
which an aircraft gains the greatest amount of
altitude in a given field.
VX
Best rate-of-climb speed; the airspeed that
provides the most altitude gain in a given
period of time
VY
the
principle that a
gyroscope remains in a
fixed position in the
plane in which it is
spinning.
Rigidity in Space
the tilting
or turning of a gyro in
response to a
deflective force
Precession
mounted at an angle, or
canted, so it can initially show roll rate.
Turn Coordinator
shows only the rate of
turn in degrees per second
Turn-and-slip Indicator
shows the aircraft’s
coordination, when
it is centered
between the two
lines, the aircraft is
coordinated.
Inclinometer (ball)
With a miniature aircraft
and horizon bar, displays
a picture of the attitude
of the aircraft.
Attitude Indicator
The relationship of the
miniature aircraft to the
horizon bar is the same
as the relationship of the
real aircraft to the actual
horizon
Attitude Indicator
A mechanical instrument
designed to facilitate the
use of the magnetic
compass.
Heading Indicator
