Flight Sim Notes
Description, Operation, and Reading
6 Major Instruments
Pitot-Static System
Airspeed Indicator
Description:
measures the forward speed of the aircraft. The ASI uses the aircraft pitot-static system
to compare pitot and static pressure and thus determine forward speed.
Indication:
white arc indicates our flaps operating range
green arc identifies a normal operating range
yellow arc represents a sort of caution or smooth air only range
red line indicates our maximum speed
Unit:
knots, mph, kph, mach
Altimeter
Description:
consists of a barometric capsule linked to a pointer by a suitable mechanical or electronic
system. The pointer moves across the dial in response to changes in barometric pressure
Indication:
Shorthand – thousandths
Thin hand – ten thousandths
Longhand – hundredths
Unit:
feet
Vertical Speed Indicator
Description:
also known as a Rate of Climb and Descent Indicator (RCDI) is an instrument which
indicates the rate of climb or descent of an aircraft.
Indication:
100 feet per minute
Gyroscopic Instruments
Turn Coordinator
Description:
tells the rate of rotation of the aircraft in minutes per lap
Indication:
if staying at lower left or lower right line – can turn 360 degrees in 2 minutes
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/6sci_Kux91g
Attitude Indicator
Description:
gyro horizon or artificial horizon, is a flight instrument that informs the pilot of the aircraft
orientation relative to Earth's horizon, and gives an immediate indication of the smallest
orientation change.
Indication:
When rolling:
top line is 0 degrees
per line from center: 10 degrees
20 degrees
30 degrees.
arrow or dot: 45 degrees
60 degrees.
Last line is: 90 degrees
When pitching:
both bottom and top have pitch degrees.
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/zBURJ-mrb5E
Heading Indicator
Description:
also known as a directional gyro (DG) or direction indicator (DI), is a flight instrument used
in an aircraft to inform the pilot of the aircraft's heading.
Indication:
Works like a compass
Arrow slightly to the right is the magnetic north
Arrow perpendicular is the true north
Engine Instruments
Oil Temperature Gauge
Description:
measures the temperature of oil. A green area shows the normal operating range and the
red line indicates the maximum allowable temperature. Unlike oil pressure, changes in oil
temperature occur more slowly.
Indication:
Green indicates normal operating range
Red indicates maximum temperature
Unit:
Fahrenheit, Celsius
Oil Pressure Gauge
Description:
provides a direct indication of the oil system operation. It ensures the pressure in pounds
per square inch (psi) of the oil supplied to the engine.
There should be an indication of oil pressure during engine start
Indication:
Green indicates the normal operating range
red indicates the minimum and maximum pressures
Unit:
psi
EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature)
Description:
EGT is a measurement of the temperature of the exhaust gases at the exhaust manifold.
As the temperature of the exhaust gas varies with the ratio of fuel to air entering the
cylinders, it can be used as a basis for regulating the fuel/air mixture entering the engine
proper fuel-to-air ratio (about 1:14 in cruise)
Unit:
Tachometer
Description:
Indication:
Fahrenheit or Celsius per deviation
shows the number of revolutions per minute (RPM) of the aircraft engine.
one tachometer for each of its engines
speed of the crankshaft of a reciprocating engine. It can be a direct- or remote-indicating
instrument, the dial of which is calibrated to indicate revolutions per minutes (rpm).
used to monitor engine power and to ensure the engine is operated within certified limits
Green normal operating range
Red maximum operating range
Electrical System
AMP (Ammeter)
Description:
Ammeters are used to monitor electrical system performance. There are two ammeters
in most aircrafts
Indication:
To measure current to/from battery
Alternator load
Fuel System
Fuel Quantity
Description:
accurately monitor and measure the quantity of on-aircraft fuel, which is a critical
function necessary for the safe and efficient operation of any aircraft.
Unit:
gallons
Fuel Flow Meter
Description:
A fuel flowmeter indicates an engine’s fuel use in real time. This can be useful to the pilot
for ascertaining engine performance and for flight planning calculations. The types of fuel
flow meter used on an aircraft depends primarily on the powerplant being used and the
associated fuel system.
Unit:
gallon per hour, pounds per hour
Pitot-Static System Situations
*Install protections when grounded.
*Remove Protections before flying.
When grounded:
Situation:
Recovery:
Pitot-Static port are blocked
clear-off any blockages
When in flight:
Situation:
Recovery:
icing on pitot port
pitot heat is present use to remove icing.
Situation:
Recovery:
static port is blocked
switch to alternative static port of available.
remove the connection between the static port to the instrument.
Break VSI glass when not sufficient.
General implications to situations:
Gyroscopic System Situations
*These are not affected if Pitot-Static System are faulty.
*Only the TURN COORDINATOR uses ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN VACUUM PUMPS.
*Check if VACUUM GAUGE is showing the indicated PRESSURE (4.5 to 5.4 inHg – Cessna 152)
When grounded:
Situation:
Recovery:
instrument is faulty on ground
do not use the aircraft
When in flight:
Situation:
Recovery:
instrument is faulty when airborne
use visual.
Vacuum System Situations
*Gyroscopes make a sound when functioning
*It should indicate proper pressure of vacuum (4.5 to 5.4 inHg – Cessna 152)
When grounded:
Situation:
Recovery:
When in flight:
Situation:
Recovery:
not functioning
not enough or over pressure
allow mechanics to fix
not functioning
low pressure or over pressure
use visual
Engine Instruments Situations.
Oil Temperature and Pressure Gauge
*Need to be at the green line.
*Check while on ground, especially before take-off.
Situation:
Implication:
Oil temp high, oil pressure is low
low oil
leak in oil lines
Situation:
Implication:
Oil temp low, oil pressure high
contaminated oil or cold start
Situation:
Implication:
Low Oil Temp, Low Oil Pressure
wrong oil used
Recovery:
Look for the nearest airport and land
Allow certified mechanics to fix and condition the engine
EGT
* EGT is at peak, used to identify stoichiometric mixture
* EGT is high or low – rich or lean fuel mixture
Situation:
Implication:
Advanced ignition
EGT decreases
Situation:
Retarded ignition
Failure of one spark plug or magneto
Burnt exhaust valve
EGT increases
Implication:
Tachometer
When grounded:
Situation:
If faulty on the ground
Recovery:
When in Flight:
Situation:
Recovery:
do not fly
Report to mechanics to get it checked
sudden drop in RPM
turn on CARB HEAT
Situation:
Recovery:
engine on fire
do not turn on CARB HEAT
Mixture idle cut-off
Fuel Valve and Master switch off
Pitch down – airspeed must be 85 knts
Forced landing
Situation:
Recovery:
failed during flight
use airspeed
Situation:
Recovery:
failed during flight and airspeed is not present
use visual and engine sound
Electrical System
Amps
*indicate ZERO to FIVE AMPS in NORMAL Operation.
Situation:
Recovery:
discharging condition – minus indication
reset MASTER SWITCH – turn off and on again
Situation:
Recovery:
discharging after MASTER SWITCH reset
look for the nearest airport and land
Situation:
Recovery:
overcharging – more than 30 amps
turn off ALTERNATOR turn back on if below the indicated line.
Fuel System
Fuel Quantity Gauge
*Fuel calculations are done pre-flight.
When grounded:
Situation:
Recovery:
Situation:
Recovery:
not functioning
check the wing for visual of the fuel quantity.
leaking
do not fly
repairing from a certified mechanic is needed
When in flight:
*Can normally fly with fuel quantity not functioning well.