Gleim Unit 2

What instruments rely on the pitot-static system? If the static port fails mid-flight, what may occur with your readings and why? Learn how to draw this system

The altimeter, VSI, and Airspeed rely on the pitot-static as these instruments work based on changed pressure. If the static port fails mid-flight, your indicated readings higher than true readings because the pressure inside the cabin is lower than the pressure outside.

What happens to the airspeed if the pitot tube is blocked? what about when the static holes on the tube are blocked? And what about when the tube, static holes on the tube, and static port are all blocked?

If the pitot tube is blocked, no ram air enters the system which will make the airspeed indicator drop to 0. If the tube + tube static holes get blocked, the airspeed indicator will act like an altimeter because the only data the airspeed indicator is reading is that from the static port (which is what the altimeter reads). If the tube + tube static holes + static port are blocked, the entire system closes and the airspeed indicator stays fixated at whatever value it was at. This is why the alternate static port is needed, even though the indicated readings get overexaggerated.

How does the altimeter work, what is the standard temperature and hg value that is used, and what does changes in pressure and temperature do to the altimeter?

The altimeter has a pile of disks called aneroid wafers that expand and contract (like a balloon) based on the outside pressure. The lower the pressure, the more the disks expand and the higher the altimeter readings. The standard value to set your altimeter at is 15*C (56*F) and 29.92 hg. Changes in temperature and pressure are important to consider when flying because as temperature increases or outside pressure decreases, the aneroids expand more than normal, and therefore a higher-than true altitude is displayed. When it’s colder or pressure increases, the aneroids contract more than normal, and therefore a lower-than-true altitude is displayed.

What does regulations in 14 CFR for altimeter settings state?

When flying below 18,000 MSL, you must set your altimeter to the current altimeter setting which is on the flight route or 100 nautical miles from your plane. When flying above 18,000 MSL, you must set your altimeter to the standard of 29.92 hg

What are the 4 types of altitude

Absolute altitude= altitude above ground level AGL

True Altitude = altitude above sea level (MSL). Sectional charts use MSL

Indicated Altitude= whatever altitude your altimeter indicates, can vary depending on how you calibrated it

Pressure altitude= altitude based on the standard sea-level pressure of 29.92 hg. Used for airplane performance calculation and Flight Level readings (FL is MSL with 2 zeroes taken out)

Density altitude= The pressure altitude corrected for temperatures out of the nonstandard temperatures of 15*C/59*C. Know that Density and Pressure Altitudes are equal when temperature is at standard. As temperature increases, Density>Pressure. When temperature decreases, Density<Pressure

How does the Vertical Speed Indicator work?

VSI is built airtight except for a passage that connects it to the static port, and the differential pressure from inside the VSI and what the static port reads changes as you climb or descend, indicating that as a reading

How does the Airspeed indicator work? Does ASI detect density altitude?

The ASI works by detecting the increasing or decreasing pressure from the ram air entering the pitot tube. The ASI only reflects dynamic pressure (which is total/pitot pressure - static pressure)

What are the 3 kinds of airspeed?

Indicated airspeed (IAS) is the speed taken directly from the ASI. Calibrated airspeed (CAS) is the IAS corrected for installation and instrument errors (the conversions can be found in the AFM/POH). True Air Speed is the CAS corrected for changes in density altitude, because the plane doesn't like flying at altitudes where air density is low

Identify the following airspeeds

1 V_{so 7} V_{a 12} V_h

2 V_{fe 8} V_lo

3 V_{s1 9} V_x

4 V_{no 10} V_y

5 V_{ne 11} V_glide

1.) Stalling/minimum steady flight speed for landing configuration (also the power off stall speed)

2.) Maximum flap extended speed

3.) power-off stalling speed or minimum steady flight speed obtained in a specific configuration (like when landing gear/flaps are retracted)

4.) Maximum structural cruising speed. Exceeding this has the potential for structural damage, so only exceed in smooth air and with caution

5.) Never Exceed speed. Flying past this speed has a high risk for structural damage

6.) Design Maneuvering Speed. Max speed at which a plane can be stalled safely or where you can fully d

Why is the suction gauge important for measuring the reliability of gyroscopic instruments?

The suction gauge measures if there's a low-vacuum condition (gyroscopes work with a vacuum), which would cause bad readings on these instruments because air isn't spinning the gyros fast enough.

Alongside with precession, what is rigidity in space? What instruments rely on this principle?

Rigidity in space is what keeps a gyro moving in its original plane of rotation even when outside forces act on it. The heading and attitude indicators rely on this principle

In terms of rate of turns and rate of rolls, what are skids and slips? how do you center the inclinometer?

Skids are when the rate of turn > rate of roll (ball moves opposite of turn), whereas slips are when rate of roll > rate of turn (ball falls to direction of turn). to center the ball, step on the ball with rudder