INSTRUMENTS COMPASS & GYRO
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS
Operational range markings :
Red Radial Line- max and min limits
Red Arc – prohibited operation
Yellow arc – Precautionary range
Green/ white arc – Normal range
DISPLAYS
Active Displays: capable of producing light. eg LED, CRT
Passive Display: Either transmits light from an auxiliary light source Or produces a pattern
viewed by reflected ambient light. eg LCD
LEDs- Fwd bias pn transistors formed on a chip of gallium arsenide phosphide. DC Power is used.
LEDs are used as general purpose indicators. Need very low voltage and currents 5mA to 20 mA.
o Used in 7 segment- Numeric display. Segments are A to G
o Used in 13 / 16 segments for Alpha numeric display.
Spectral response of human eye is in range of 400 to 700nm wavelength. It is must sensitive to Red,
which is at 650 nm.
LCD – Two glass plates , with a film of polarizing material ( Indium oxide Also called Nematic
material) in between. Uses AC Power
When a low voltage, low current signal is passed, polarization of compound is changed-
causing change in optical appearance from transparent to reflective. Used for 7 segment displays.
AMLCD- Active matrix LCDs use TFT (thin film transistors) . Allows wide range of control and color
display.
Head-up Displays: Project the image through COLLIMATING LENS
Instrument Grouping – Basic Six or Basic T- shown below
AIR SPEED ATTITUDE ALTIMETER
RMI HSI VSI
Illumination: White light is used for general illumination of instruments.
Pillar lighting : provides illumination for individual instruments and controls
Bridge Lighting: Uses multiple lamps, provides redundancy
Wedge Lighting:
AIR DATA INSTRUMENTS
ISA temperature is +15 deg C, and Pr is 1013 mBar.
Temperature lapse rate is 1.98° C per 1000 Ft OR 6.5° C per Kilometer
Basic sensing is done by Pitot Probe ( P t) and Static Probe (P s).
Stagnation Point: When air is brought to the rest at nose of pitot probe, it is stagnation point. At this
point Kinetic energy of fluid is converted to pressure energy.
To prevent the entry of water and other foreign matter, the pitot pressure tube is provided with
baffles.
CAIP:
In order to prevent moisture blockage and to minimize pressure lag, the inside diameter of pipelines must not be less than
6 mm
After installation of a pipeline, the system with which it is associated must be checked for leaks in the manner prescribed
in the aircraft Maintenance Manual. On satisfactory completion of such individual checks, a leak test of the complete
pitot static system must be carried out.
When testing a system to which autopilot altitude and air-speed locks are connected, the autopilot must be powered but
not engaged with the aircraft's flight control system
When conducting leak tests and functioning checks of air data computer systems, the electrical power supply must
not be interrupted as there is the possibility of the system becoming de-synchronized
Heating Of probes- Uses both DC as well as AC current on different aircrafts.
Air Speed Indicator : Uses difference between Pt and Ps.
IAS- Indicated air speed. After instrument error is corrected
Computed Air speed- corrected for position error
CAS- calibrated air speed. Computed speed Compensated for square law
TAS- True air speed. Compensated for air temperature and density
Square Law- Causes non-liner scale. Difficult to read at lower ends of scale
Mach Meter- Part of ASI. Ratio of Airspeed and Altitude
ASI Failure- If ADC fails, yellow flag appears on CAS counter.
Altimeter- is compensated for temperature by a bi-metal compensator device.
Q Codes: QFE: field elevation. Makes altimeter read Zero on airfield
QNH: Makes altimeter read airport Altitude.
QNE: 1013 MBars or hPa. Standard setting. Gives airport elevation
Central air data computer CADC: Reduced plumbing, Converts analog inputs to electrical signals.
Q: Altimeter set to read airport elevation above sea level for landing and takeoff
a) QFE b) QNH c) SAS
Q: Altimeter has most sensitive a) Bourdon b) Evacuated capsule c) sealed capsules-
Q: The Pressure sensing element used in Altimeter Instrument is:
a) Bourdon Tube
b) Evacuated Metal Capsule
C) U- Shaped Bracket
Q3: Temprature lapse rate at absolute pressure is
a) 8.5° per 1 km
b) 6.5° per km
c) 1.98° per km
Q4: In Adiabatic cycle
a) temperature increase pressure remains constant
b) temperature decreases At constant volume
c )both a and b
d) no transfer of heat from outside to inside takes place
Q5: Aircraft speed Below .75mach is
a) subsonic
b) Transonic
c) supersonic
Q6: Indicated Airspeed
a) corrected for instrument error & compression error
b) corrected for instrument error & true air speed error
c) corrected for instrument, true air speed & compression error
Q7 : Air compressible at
A)subsonic
B)transonic – as per Wikipedia.
C)supersonic
Q8: Tip of static discharger is made of?
A) Solid carbon
B) Nichrome wires
C) Tunguston needle
D) All
Q: Synchro mechanism used are :
a) Autosyn & Selyn
b) Microdesyn & desynn
c) Magnysn
d) Both A &C
Q: Altimeter setting to read Zero at airport :
a) QFE
b) QNH
c) QNE
Q: Equivalent Airspeed:
a) CAS
b) TAS
c) IAS
Q: Basic T has been replaced by
a) EFIS
b) ECAM
c) EHSI
INSTRUMENTS AND WARNING SYSTEMS.
(ATBC): The three fundamental pressure sensing mechanisms used in aircraft instrument systems are the
Bourdon tube, the diaphragm or bellows, and the solid-state sensing device.
Bourdon Tube- Made of brass, bronze or copper. Used in Oil, Hydraulic & oxygen pr sensors.
Diaphragm: Metallic- Can be sealed or even Evacuated (Aneroid capsules). They are more sensitive.
Used for Altimeters, VSI, Cabin differential Pr gauge etc.
Solid state sensors: Crystalline piezoelectric, piezo resistor, and semiconductor chip sensors are most
Common. Used in Engine and flight instruments.
Stall warning system: Uses
Hinged vane type sensor, mounted on leading edge of the wing. Gives warning at stagnation
point.
AoA Sensor, is a vane type sensor, mounted on the side of fuselage. Activates Stick shaker
function.
ICING PROTECTION:
(ATBC) Types of ice formation during flight:
1. Clear Ice ( Or Glaze ice) - Is smooth, hard and heavier. It spreads, often unevenly, over wing and tail
surfaces
2. Rime ice- Has trapped air, so it is irregular , Lighter, brittle and easier to remove. It accumulates on
the leading edges of wings and on antennas.
ICE DETECTOR- Ultrasonic detector vibrates at 40 kHz. And activates at 39867Hz.
TAT Sensors use a pure Platinum wire resistance type sensing element.
Adiabatic Compression: in a TAT probe- rise in air temperature caused by increased pressure when air
is brought to rest. The compression occurs so fast that no heat is lost to the surroundings.
Q1: Types of icing when aircraft in air a) 2 b) 4 c) 3
Q2: Icing on Aircraft leading edge
a) glaze b) rime c) Crystal d) all
Q: DFDR RECORDS:
A)during flight
B)on ground when engine starts
C)both
Q: The DFDR requires an electronic process such that:
(a) Digitally coded data can be converted back(decoded) into its analogue form
(b) Digitally coded data can be converted back(encoded) into its analogue form
(c) Analogue data can be converted back(decoded) into its digital form.
Q: MTCS for Angle of attack :
a) Indicators are connected to alpha sensors of a stall warning system
b) Located adjacent to that indicating Vertical speed on the EADI
c) Pointer referenced against horizontal Yellow, Green and Red bands, signifying the angle at
which stick pusher operates.
d) ATA
COMPASS
Direct reading Compass is primary directional reference source as per Airworthiness requirements.
Other Navigational aids are secondary source
Magnetic variation: the horizontal angle between True and Magnetic meridian at any place .
Isogonal Lines: The lines drawn on a chart, which join places having equal magnetic variation.
Agonic Lines: The lines which join places with zero magnetic variation.
Magnetic dip/ inclination: The angle formed by lines of force and earths surface. Its Zero degrees at
equator and 90 degrees at poles.
ISOCLINICAL LINES: line joining places with same dip angle
ACLINIC Lines: Lines joining places with zero dip angle. Also called Magnetic equator
Construction of DR Compass: Common principles are ; A magnet system in bowl, Liquid for damping
Silicon fluid to make it Aperiodic) , liquid expansion compensation and deviation compensation.
CAIP:
Compass safe distance is defined as the minimum distance from a compass at which an item of equipment may be
located to produce a maximum deviation of 1 ° under all operating conditions .
The most adverse combinations of electrical loads must not cause deviation in excess of 2° (5° for light aircraft)
The deviations, should not exceed 3° (5° for light aircraft)
David Harris: The maximum permissible value for residual deviation of a standby compass is ± 10°
Q1 Short term heading indication given by A)Compass B) gyro
Q: Long range navigation uses - Compass
Q: The Horizontal angle contained between the true and Magnetic Meridian is known as:
a) Angle of Dip
b) Angle of Meridian
C) Angle of Declination (Magnetic Variation)
Q: The angle the Line of Force makes with the Earth’s Surface:
a) Angle of Dip
b) Angle of Meridian
c) Angle of Dip (Magnetic Inclination)
Q: MTCS about Compass:
a) Mag. Sys. Housed in a bowl, Liquid Damping, Liquid expansion compensation & deviation
Compensation
b) Comprised of Annular Cobalt-Steel Magnet attached to light alloy Card(increments of 10o
c) Pendulously suspended by an Iridium Tipped Pivot resting in a Sapphire Cup
d) Pivot pt. is above Center of Gravity balanced in such a way as to minimize the effects of
Angle of Dip over wide range of Latitudes (N or S)
e) The Safe distance is measured from the Centre of a compass to the nearest pt. on the
surface of equipment
f) ATA
Q: MTCS Compass fluid used :
a) Silicon Fluid to make the compass Aperiodic
b) It also provides Buoyancy, diminishing the effect of friction and wear.
c) Changes in Volume due temp. are compensated by bellows type expansion device, secured
to the rear of the bowl.
d) ATA
Q: MTCS regarding Magnetic Lines:
a) Isogonic Lines: places having equal variation
b) Agonic Lines: places where the variation is zero
a) Isoclinals Lines :Same dip angle are joined by lines
b) Aclinic line (Magnetic Equator) : the angle is zero are joined by a line
c) ATA
Q: Max. Deviation of magnetic Compass:
a) 2o b) 5o C) 10 o
Q: Soft-iron magnetism depends upon- Pallet page 88
a) Altitude
b) Heading and geographical position
c) Lightning strike
d) Residual Magnetism
Gyroscopic Instruments
Gyroscope has 3 degrees of freedom. Its 3 axis are mutually at right angles in a level flight.
Rate of turn detection- Rate Gyro is used. Works at lower RPM of 4500. Rate of turn is indicated in
numbers , where 1 = 180 degree per minute rate of turn.
RIGIDITY: The property to resist any force tending to change the plane of rotation. It depends upon
1. Mass of the rotor
2. Speed of rotation
3. Radius of gyration Or distance from center
Precession: The angular change in direction of plane of rotation when force is applied. The change acts
at 90 degrees angle away. It Depends upon
1. Strength and direction od force
2. Inertia of rotor
3. Angular velocity of rotor
Drift is of 3 types: 1. Apparent drift- caused by earths rotation
2. Real drift- caused by friction and other imperfections of gyro
3. Transport Wander- Due to airplane travelling across Longitudes
Drift is controlled by Gimbal ring balancing & Erection devices.
Gyro rotors can be driven - pneumatically or
Electrically- uses 115v 3 phase AC supply @ 20000 – 23000 RPM
Freedom of movement: Roll Axis = 360* Pitch Axis= 85*
Ring Laser Gyro: Does not have any moving parts. Has one cathode and two anodes.
Advantages: Wide dynamic range, short alignment time, High reliability.
Gyro stabilization Levelling and Alignment of INS can be performed with aircraft stationary on
ground.
Remote Reading Compass: Also called Slave gyro compass- combination of DR compass and rate gyro.
It is achieved by proving magnetic North correction constantly to gyro , thereby eliminating apparent drift.
It provides input to RMI, HIS and INS.
Q: Rate Gyro used on
a. Attitude indicator
b.Turn n slip indicator
c. Altimeter
d. Both a & b
Q: MTCS about Turn Coordinator:
a) It senses rotation about the Roll & Yaw axis
b) It senses rotation about the Roll & Pitch axis
c) It senses rotation about the Pitch & Yaw axis
