Basic Instruments Flashcards
What is analogue
Qualitative
Easy to see rate of change
Comparative
What is digital
Quantitive
Precise value
What is LRV
Line replaceable unit
In avionics bay
Is pressure sensing linear or non linear
Non linear
What does 1 pascal =
1 newton / m^2
1013.25 in different units?
- 97 PSI (rounded to 15)
29. 92 inHg (rounded to 30)
What is measured in psi
Engine oil
Hydraulic system pressures
Cabin differential pressure
What does MEMS technology sense (micro - electromechanical systems)
Engine oil pressure
Hydraulic system pressures
Cabin differential pressures
What is a aneroid capsule
Hollow
Single / multi layered
Supported by spring
Sealed / partially vacuumed
Senses low pressure
What is a pressure capsule
Like a aneroid capsule except not sealed
Senses low pressure
What is a diaphragms
Takes into account pitot + static
Just has dynamic pressure
Senses low pressure
What does a bourdon tube sense
High pressure
What instruments measure static pressure only
Altimeter
Vertical speed indicator
What are the 3 main instrument errors
I instrument = mechanical imperfections
M = manoeuvring
P = position
What are the other names for a vertical speed indicator
Vario
Variometer
Ratiometer
Rate of climb and descent indicator (RCDI)
What capsule is in a vertical speed indicator
Pressure capsule
What is a metering unit made up of
Capillary (laminar) Knife edge (turbulent)
Errors associated with a vertical speed indicator
I instrument
M manoeuvre
P position
Time lag
What does makes an instantaneous vertical speed indicator (IVSI)
It has a accelerometer unit / metering unit / dashpot
To reduce time lag
How does a dashpot / accelerometer unit / metering unit work?
In descent accelerometer moves up increasing pressure in capsule
Reverse for climb
What are the errors for a accelerometer unit / dashpot / metering unit
In turbulence dashpot moves = fluctuations in VSI
Turning = g forces = indication of climb
What happens if there is a leak in a vertical speed indicator outside of the pressure hull
Slight deviation from actual vertical speed
What happens if there is a blockage in the vertical speed indicator
Frozen instrument
What happens if there is a leak in a vertical speed indicator inside the pressure hull
If cabin altitude reduces then VSI will show a descent
What is the formula to work out the rate of descent to maintain a 3° glide slope
5 x ground speed (in knots)
What gradient is a 3° glide slope
5%
What are the altimeter errors
I instrument
M manoeuvre
P position
Temperature (if there is a isa deviation)
Height error = 4 x indicated alt in 1000’s or feet x ISA deviation
What is a simple altimeter
No number drum reference to change pressure reference to a pressure datum
However can be set to 0 at airfield elevation
What is a sensitive altimeter
Can adjust pressure reference
Has a ‘vibrator’ to reduce friction (lag)
Has a stack of 2 or 3 capsules
Multiple pointers
What is a servo altimeter
Has less lag
When ‘E’ and ‘I’ bar are parallel = no output
When un parallel = voltage in certain part of ‘E’ bar = output into secondary circuit
Eventually E bar resets to parallel to I bar
Advantages of a servo altimeter
Improved accuracy
Frictional imperfections are reduced
Digital readout / altitude warnings are easily incorporated
What happens if there is a blockage in the static line for w altimeter
Freezes
What happens if there is a leak inside the pressure hull for a altimeter
Higher pressure from inside the cabin causes altimeter to underread
What happens if there is a leak in the altimeter outside the pressure hull
Altimeter will still work but just s but less accurate
What if thee is a leak in the altimeter in a unpressurised aircraft
Alt over reads
Pressure lower due to cabin suction (caused by airflow past aircraft and static pressure outside dropping (Venturi))
In a light single engine what does the white arc mean on the ASI
Vso > Vfe = flap extension speed
In a small single engine aircraft what is the green arc
Normal operating speed
Up to Vno (max operating never exceed)
In a small single engine what does the yellow arc on the asi mean
Caution
On a small single engine what does Vne mean
Velocity never exceed
On a light twin what does the slow red line on the ASI mean
vmca
On a light twin what is the blue line on the ASI
EST rate of climb with one eng out
On a light twin what is the fast red line on the ASI
Vne
What are the ASI errors
I instrument
M manoeuvre
P position
Compressibility error
Density error
If the pitot is blocked what happens in level flight
No change
If the pitot is blocked on the ASI what happens in the descent
Reduces = blockage makes under read = behaves like altimeter
P pitot blocked
U under read
D descending
P pitot blocked
O over read
C climbing
What happens if the static is blocked for the ASI
S static blocked
O over reads
D descending
S static blocked
U under read
C climbing
What happens if there is a leak in the pitot line for the ASI
Will reduces pressure = under read
What happens if there is a leak in the static line within the pressure hull for the ASI
High pressure leaks in from cabin = under read
What happens to the ASI if there is a static leak outside the pressure hull (unpressurised)
Less static pressure
Over read
How to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit
Celsius x 1.8 + 32
How to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius
Fahrenheit-32 / 1.8
what is direct reading temperature
Thermometer
What is thermal expansion temperature
Metal expands / contracts
Cheap
2 metals = Invar and brass
Electrical resistance temperature
Remote sensing
Measuring the change in resistance with temperature
TURD (temp up resist down)
“Wheatstone bridge”
What is thermocouple
Remote sensing
Hot junction at place where heat is
Heating creates slight voltage
Does not require voltage input for signal
Modern engine connected in parallel
Materials = chromel and alumel
What is pyrometry (radiation) temperature sensing
Radiation / ir emitted from heating of a surface
What is a TAT probe
Located out of boundary layer and sunlight
Collects total air pressure
Made of; nickel plated beryllium copper
Linear resistance to change in temp
What is a TAT sensor
Made of pure platinum wire
Resistance sensor
High rate of conductivity
Rapid response to temp change
TAT probe errors
Icing (environmental) = probe body heated
Radiate heat (environmental) = sensing equipment hidden internally
Frictional heating (design) = probe placed outside boundary layer
What is a aspirated TAT probe
Induced flow gives more reliable sensing when stationary
What Is SAT
SAT = OAT = reported by net services
Undisturbed air
Used to calculate TAS and LSS
What does TAT =
SAT + ram rise
What is ram rise
Adiabatic compression (heating) and is the different between SAT and TAT
What is measured ram rise
Ram rise x recovery factor (kr)
What is ram air temp (rat) / measured temperature
SAT + ram rise x Kr
What is recovery factor
Ability of probe to measure Ram rise depends on the recovery factor (Kr)
How does a machmeter work
Measures the ratio of dynamic to static pressure
How does a Machmeter deal with compressibility
Cancelled out by design
What is the equation for mach number as used by the machmeter
squareroot (dynamic pressure/static pressure)