The magnetic compass is the most basic of all instruments you will find installed in your aircraft and is required under both Visual and Instrument Flight Rules (VFR and IFR). The function and purpose of a magnetic compass installed in an aircraft is no different then one you might use
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Today’s post on flight instruments is an excerpt from the new fourth edition of The Pilot’s Manual: Ground School (PM-2).
The magnetic compass is the primary indicator of direction in most airplanes. It is, however, difficult to read in turbulence and subject to acceleration and turning errors,
…We are well into fall and winter seems to be fast approaching, I am ever reminded by all the holiday décor already up around town. For the majority of us, baring you lucky few down south, we will notice drops in temperature and for many areas across the United States
…Takeoff and landing are perhaps two of the most labor intensive tasks involved in piloting an airplane, and they start long before the wheels leave the ground.
Takeoffs involve much more than smooth piloting skills; they involve careful planning and preparation. A very smooth takeoff is of little value if
…I don’t know why I am even going to tempt Murphy’s Law, but I haven’t had a speeding ticket in many years. Of course now that I put it out there I can probably expect to get one on the way home this evening. The reason I even mention it
…AIM Chapter 7, Safety of Flight, is an important chunk of the AIM which contains descriptions of weather services and severe weather flying, flight hazards like icing and volcanic ash, wake turbulence, and safety, accident, and hazard reporting. Under Section 6 “Safety, Accident, and Hazard Reports”, we
…Earlier in 2016, the FAA renamed the Airport/Facility Directory (A/FD) to “Chart Supplement U.S.” The FAA made this change to bring the publication in line with specifications under the Interagency Air Cartographic Committee (IACC). Not all that important why it was done; what is important is the fact that the
…Chapter 26, “En Route Navigation,” of the new fourth edition of The Pilot’s Manual: Ground School focuses on how to go about the business being an effective pilot/navigator with minimum interruption of safely flying the airplane. The components of successful pilot/navigation are:
- flight planning;
- chart-reading (also
