Aircraft Instruments

Front 1

1

Back 1

Where is the Altimeter?

Front 2

Where is the Attitude Indicator?

Back 2

1

Front 3

Where is the Airspeed Indicator?

Back 3

1

Front 4

Where is the Heading Indicator?

Back 4

1

Front 5

Where is the Vertical Speed Indicator?

Back 5

1

Front 6

Where is the Turn Coordinator?

Back 6

1

Front 7

What does the Altimeter do?

Back 7

Gives the aircraft's height (usually in feet or meters) above some reference level (usually sea-level) by measuring the local air pressure. It is adjustable for local barometric pressure (referenced to sea level) which must be set correctly to obtain accurate altitude readings.

Front 8

What does the Attitude Indicator do (also known as the Artificial Horizon)?

Back 8

Shows the aircraft's attitude relative to the horizon. From this the pilot can tell whether the wings are level and if the aircraft nose is pointing above or below the horizon. This is a primary instrument for instrument flight and is also useful in conditions of poor visibility. Pilots are trained to use other instruments in combination should this instrument or its power fail.

Front 9

What does the Airspeed Indicator do?

Back 9

Shows the aircraft's speed (usually in knots) relative to the surrounding air. It works by measuring the ram-air pressure in the aircraft's pitot tube. The indicated airspeed must be corrected for air density (which varies with altitude, temperature and humidity) in order to obtain the true airspeed, and for wind conditions in order to obtain the speed over the ground.

Front 10

What does the Magnetic Compass do?

Back 10

Shows the aircraft's heading relative to magnetic north. While reliable in steady level flight it can give confusing indications when turning, climbing, descending, or accelerating due to the inclination of the earth's magnetic field. For this reason, the heading indicator is also used for aircraft operation. For purposes of navigation it may be necessary to correct the direction indicated (which points to a magnetic pole) in order to obtain direction of true north or south (which points to the earth's axis of rotation).

Front 11

What does the Heading Indicator do?

Back 11

Also known as the directional gyro, or DG. Sometimes also called the gyrocompass, though usually not in aviation applications. Displays the aircraft's heading with respect to magnetic north. Principle of operation is a spinning gyroscope, and is therefore subject to drift errors (called precession) which must be periodically corrected by calibrating the instrument to the magnetic compass. In many advanced aircraft, the heading indicator is replaced by a Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) which provides the same heading information, but also assists with navigation.

Front 12

What does the Turn Coordinator do?

Back 12

A turn coordinator displays rate and direction of roll while the aircraft is rolling; displays rate and direction of turn while the aircraft is not rolling. Internally mounted inclinometer also displays quality of turn. Replaced the older turn and bank indicator.

Front 13

What does the Vertical Speed Indicator do?

Back 13

Also sometimes called a variometer. Senses changing air pressure and displays that information to the pilot as a rate of climb or descent, usually in feet per minute or meters per second.