Instrument Systems

Question 1

IFR Instruments required

Answer 1

1. Everything required for VFR
2. Gyroscopic pitch & bank
3. Sensitive altimeter
4. Gyroscopic direction indicator
5. Gyroscopic rate of turn indicator
6. Slip/Skid indicator
7. Clock
8. Two-way radio and navigation equipment appropriate to the facilities being used
9. Generator of adequate capacity
10. Mode C transponder w/altitude reporting (above 10,000msl AND 2,500agl)
11. DME, if using VORs and above FL240

Question 2

Altimeter and transponder inspected every

Answer 2

24 months

Question 3

Equivalent Airspeed (EAS)

Answer 3

CAS, corrected for compressibility (high altitude or high speed)

Question 4

Mach speed is unique because

Answer 4

It’s a ratio of true airspeed to the speed of sound at the current temperature

Question 5

Altimeter in cold/warm air

Answer 5

Reports lower than reality (cold), higher (warm)

Question 6

Impact of blocked pitot tube

Answer 6

1. Complete blockage - airspeed functions opposite expectation (becomes an altimeter)
2. Ram air blockage only - airspeed drops to 0

Question 7

AHRS defined/explained

Answer 7

Attitude Heading Reference System - Electronic/Inertial sensors to replace traditional gyro instruments (for powering glass cockpits)

Question 8

How does altitude and airspeed change as you fly between areas of different pressure or temperature?

Answer 8

“Low to high, look to the sky” when pressure or temperature rise during a flight, the altimeter will report LOWER than reality, so you will climb HIGHER and true airspeed will INCREASE

“High to low, look out below” means the opposite will happen

Question 9

Rule of thumb: True airspeed relative to calibrated

Answer 9

TAS is 2% higher than CAS for every 1000 feet above sea level

Question 10

When to set altimeter to 29.92 if using the flight levels?

Answer 10

Passing through 18,000

Question 11

How to preflight an altimeter

Answer 11

Set the current altimeter setting, the Confirm that the readout is within 75 feet of field elevation

Question 12

Pre-flight for VSI

Answer 12

VSI is not necessary for IFR flight, so it doesnt matter. That said, note its readout while on the ground, and if not 0, consider whatever it reads to be 0 when in flight.

Question 13

Attitude indicator errors

Answer 13

Turn error: indicates a slight climb and bank in the opposite direction following a 180 degree turn (cancels out after 360 degrees). NOTE: the climb error is erased after a skidding turn

During Acceleration: indicates a slight climb

During Deceleration: indicates a slight descent

Question 14

Attitude indicator preflight

Answer 14

Ensure that the horizon bar stabilizes within 5 minutes, and does not dip more than 5 degrees during taxi turns

Question 15

Attitude indicator setting for altitude changes of 100 feet or less

Answer 15

Half bar correction

Question 16

Standard rate turn (duration)

Answer 16

2 mins or 3 degrees per second

Question 17

Pre-flight for HSI

Answer 17

Allow 5 mins for gyro to fully spool up. Set to compass, then observe that it doesnt get more than 3 degrees off in 15 minutes of operation

Question 18

Compass errors

Answer 18

Turning errors: compass will lag behind the actual heading when turning through northerly headings, and lead throughout southerly headings. Remember UNOS.

Acceleration errors: when on a heading of east or west, the compass will indicate a slight northerly turn when accelerating and a slight southerly turn when decelerating. Remember ANDS.

Question 19

Blocked static port

Answer 19

Airspeed reads low in a climb, higher in a descent. Altimeter and VSI are frozen.
Open alt static.

Question 20

3 fundamental skills of instrument flight

Answer 20

1. Instrument cross check
2. Instrument interpretation
3. Aircraft control

Question 21

Formula: Baro setting vs Altitude

Answer 21

1” Hg = 1000ft