Lesson 1

Aircraft Systems
Icing Conditions

Instrument Flying teaches a student how to fly through clouds, low

visibility associated with visible moisture. Icing can typically affect a
flight so it is important to know how and what systems the aircrafts
has to deal with icing
Visible Moisture V. Near Freezing Temperature
Icing conditionals are defined by near freezing temperatures and visible
moisture

WHat is visible moisture?

Such things as clouds, fog, mist ….conditions where water can be seen with
eyes

What is near freezing temperatures

Icing which occurs most often between 2 degrees celsius and 20 degrees
celsius but can happen outside that range.
Equipments needed for IFR flying
For IFR day: all VFR day equipment (91.205)+ G.R.A.B C.A.R.D . For IFR night: all VFR day + VFR
night equipment + G.R.A.B C.A.R.D

● Generator or Alternator: to provide electrical power

● Rate of Turn Indicator: to indicate the aircraft is turning at the standard rate
● Attitude Indicator: to inform the orientation of the aircraft relative to the horizon, as under IFR
conditions you can’t refer to the actual horizon
● Ball: for the inclinometer, part of the turn and bank indicator or turn coordinator
● Clock: for flight planning and fuel consumption calculations
● Altimeter: to maintain the desired or assigned altitude
● Radios/Navigation: for communications and navigation
● Directional Gyro or Heading Indicator: to determine aircraft direction
Static port blockage: Pitot blockage: The only instrument affected is
● Airspeed indicator – Shows correct airspeed as long the airspeed indicator.
as you maintain the same altitude at which the
blockage occurred. At higher altitudes airspeed will ● Ram air inlet is clogged and drain hole open
indicate lower than it should. At lower altitudes –
higher than it should. – Airspeed will drop to zero.
● Altimeter – will freeze on the altitude where it was ● Both air inlet and drain hole are clogged –
blocked.
● VSI – freezes on zero. The airspeed indicator will act as an
altimeter, and will no longer be reliable.
After verifying a blockage in the static port, you should use
an alternate static source or break the VSI window (in that
● When you suspect a pitot blockage, consider
case, expect reverse VSI information). the use of pitot heat to melt ice that may
have formed in or on the pitot tube.
When using the alternate static source (a lower static
pressure is measured):

● Airspeed indicator – indicate faster than it should.

● Altimeter – indicate higher than it should.
● VSI – momentarily show a climb.
Gyro Instruments
Two principles of a gyroscope: Rigidity in space and precession.
Attitude indicator – operates on the principle of rigidity in space. Shows bank
and pitch information. Should show correct attitude within 5 minutes of turning
on the engine. Normally vacuum-driven in GA aircraft, may be electrical in
others.
Heading indicator – operates on the principle of rigidity in space. It only
reflects changes in heading, but cannot measure the heading directly. You have
to calibrate it with a magnetic compass in order for it to indicate correctly.
Normally powered by the vacuum system in on GA aircraft.
Turn indicators – operates on the principle of precision. Turn coordinators show
rate-of-turn and rate of roll.
Magnetic Compass
Magnetic compass errors & limitations: D.V.M.O.N.A
Deviation: occurs as a result of metals and other electromagnetic components such as the
radios and instruments inside an aircraft. The deviation error is a constant error and it is
written on a compass correction card inside the cockpit (ex. steer 93º for 90º ) every time a
compass swing is performed on the aircraft during regular maintenance.
Variation: North pole is located about 1000 miles away from the true North pole. Given this
difference we are not flying towards true north when our compass tells us we are. This error
becomes more pronounced the further North we go because the compass is now closer to the
magnetic North pole. This is why we fly by true tracks in the Northern Domestic Airspace and
not magnetic tracks.
Magnetic dip
Oscillation
North/south turn errors (Northern hemisphere: UNOS Undershoot North/ Overshoot South)
Acceleration errors (Northern hemisphere: ANDS Accelerate North/ Decelerate South)
Taxi Check
Generic instrument taxi cockpit check

Airspeed – 0 KIAS.

Turn coordinator – ball centered and wings level when not turning. On turns: shows turn in correct
direction, ball goes to opposite direction of the turn.

Attitude – Correct pitch attitude and bank angle ±°5 within 5 minutes.

Heading indicator – Set and shows correct headings after turns.

Altimeter – Set to local altimeter settings or field elevation. Shows correct field elevation ±75
feet. VSI – 0 fpm. Magnetic compass – swings freely, full of fluid, shows known headings and
deviation card is installed.

Marker beacons – Tested.

NAV & Comm – Set.

GPS – Checked and set.

Videos To watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdFGbUouE_4&t=190s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YphD3kl3C-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVsx4XWafXg&t=122s

(42) Aviation Compass Errors - YouTube

Lesson 3 of Mzero: How our instrument work and
Scanning
Watch All four videos and do the quiz

(Send me a picture of your score)

Questions to answer
1. What are common aircraft anti/de-icing Systems? 1. What are different methods for complying with
2. What should you do if you encounter icing? the requirements of 91.171, and what is the
3. What are the different types of icing?
maximum acceptable bearing error?
4. What aircraft equipment is required to operate
IFR ? 2. What instruments need to be checked during
5. What flight instruments use the pitot-static taxi, and what indications should be seen?
system? 3. What is the maximum recommended amount
6. What operational errors are associated with the of altimeter mechanical error?
pitot-static system? Airspeed Indicator?
Altimeter?
7. What indication(s) would you see with a pitot tube
blockage? Static port blockage?
8. Explain the gyroscopic principles of rigidity and
precession.
9. How does the magnetic compass work?
10. What are the magnetic compass errors?