Instruments

Compass Rose – Aircraft Compass Swing

Compass Rose – A small circle graduated in 360 increments, to show direction expressed in degrees. Most airports have a compass rose, which is a series of lines marked out on a ramp or maintenance run up area where there is no magnetic interference. Lines, oriented to magnetic north, are painted every 30° which is [...]

Yaw Damper

The yaw damper is a servo that moves the rudder in response to inputs from a gyroscope or accelerometer that detects yaw rate. The yaw damper minimizes motion about the vertical axis caused by turbulence. (Yaw dampers on sweptwing airplanes provide another, more vital function

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Boeing 737 ircraft Differential Pressure Gauge

Differential Pressure Gauge – Aircraft Gauge

Differential Pressure – Differential pressure, or psid, is the difference between pressures being read at two different locations within a system. For example, in a turbine engine oil system the pressure is read as it enters the oil filter, and also as it leaves the filter. These two readings are sent to a transmitter which [...]

Absolute Pressure Gauge – Aircraft Gauge

Absolute Pressure – A gauge that includes atmospheric pressure in its reading is measuring what is known as absolute pressure, or psia. Absolute pressure is equal to gauge pressure plus atmospheric pressure. If someone hooked up a psia indicating instrument to an engine’s oil system, the gauge would read atmospheric pressure when the engine was [...]

Ammeter – Aircraft

Ammeter – An Aircraft Ammeter is an instrument installed in series with an electrical load used to measure the amount of current flowing through the load. The unit of measure is the ampere. Not all aircraft have an Ammeter – The purpose is to monitor load

Loadmeter

Loadmeter - A Loadmeter is a type of ammeter installed between the generator output and the main bus in an aircraft electrical system. This type of gauge has a scale beginning with zero and shows the load being placed on the alternator/generator. The loadmeter reflects the total percentage of the load placed on the generating [...]

Visual approach slope indicator (VASI)

Visual approach slope indicator (VASI). A visual aid of lights arranged to provide descent guidance information during the approach to the runway. A pilot on the correct glideslope will see red lights over white lights. Basic VASI consist of two sets of lights. One set marks the start of the runway, while the other is [...]

Turn Coordinator

Turn Coordinator - A rate gyro that senses both roll and yaw due to the gimbal being canted. Has largely replaced the turn-and-slip indicator in modern aircraft.

Posted in Avionics Terms | Tagged Avionics, FAA Pilot's Handbook, Flying, Instruments

Turn-and-Slip Indicator

Turn and Slip Indicator – A flight instrument consisting of a rate gyro to indicate the rate of yaw and a curved glass inclinometer to indicate the relationship between gravity and centrifugal force. The turn-and-slip indicator indicates the relationship between angle of bank and rate of yaw. Also called a turn-and-bank indicator.