FNG Episode: Flight Instruments

Introduction

• Jason, an employee, is pursuing his private pilot certificate.
• Tom, a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), and another CFI (speaker) will be guiding him.
• The lesson focuses on flight instruments, possibly stretching over two episodes.
• Difference from typical flight school environments.

Pressure and Standard Day

• Atmospheric Pressure: Measured in inches of mercury in aviation.
• Standard Day: Defined as 15°C (59°F), sea level, 29.92 inches of mercury.
  • Important reference for calculations, though rarely exists.
• Effects of Pressure and Temperature:
  • Affects performance and altimeter readings.
  • Worst Scenario: Warmter and lower pressure.
  • Humidity: Lesser impact on performance.

Flight Instruments Overview

• Systems: Pitot-static system and gyroscopic system.

Pitot-Static System

• Components: Airspeed Indicator, Altimeter, Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI).
• Pitot Tube: Measures ram air for the airspeed indicator.
• Static Port: Used by all three instruments.
• Airspeed Types:
  • Indicated Airspeed: Directly from dial.
  • Calibrated Airspeed: Corrected for installation errors.
  • True Airspeed: Corrected for non-standard temp and pressure.
  • Ground Speed: True airspeed corrected for wind.

Airspeed Indicator

• Markings:
  • White Arc: Flaps operating range (VS0 to VFE).
  • Green Arc: Normal operating range.
  • Yellow Arc: Caution range, safe in smooth air.
  • Red Line (VNE): Never exceed speed.
• Important Airspeeds:
  • VR: Rotation speed.
  • VX: Best angle of climb.
  • VY: Best rate of climb.
  • VA: Maneuvering speed.

Altimeter

• Function: Measures pressure to display altitude based on set baseline.
• Components: Wafer inside set at 29.92 inches of mercury.
• Types of Altitude:
  • MSL (Mean Sea Level) vs AGL (Above Ground Level)
  • Indicated Altitude, True Altitude, Absolute Altitude AGL.
• Altimeter Settings: Obtained from METAR, ATIS, AWOS, or Asos.

Problems and Corrections

• Blocked Static Port: Altimeter reads fixed altitude.
  • Solutions: Use alternate static source or VSI glass break technique.
• High to Low Pressure: "Look Out Below" - Altimeter reads higher than actual.

Density and Performance

• Pressure Altitude: Corrected for non-standard pressure.
• Density Altitude: Corrected for non-standard pressure and temperature.
  • High Density Altitude: Indicates low air density, worse performance.

Final Thoughts

• Altimeter Verification: Plus or minus 75 feet tolerance from the field elevation.
• Jason displayed good understanding of flight instruments.
• Next session will continue with more flight instruments.