PPL Flight Instruments and Weather Flashcards

Which instrument relies on the pitot tube's ram air pressure to operate?

Answer: Airspeed indicator

The airspeed indicator measures the difference between ram (pitot) pressure and static pressure.

If the static port becomes blocked in level flight, which instruments will be affected?

Answer: Airspeed, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator

The airspeed indicator, altimeter, and VSI all use the static system, so a static blockage affects all three.

The attitude indicator, heading indicator, and turn coordinator are typically driven by what system in many training aircraft?

Answer: Vacuum (gyroscopic) system

These gyroscopic instruments are commonly powered by an engine-driven vacuum pump.

During a coordinated turn, where should the ball in the turn coordinator be positioned?

Answer: Centered

A centered ball indicates coordinated flight with the correct balance of bank and rudder.

What altitude does the altimeter display when set to the local altimeter setting on the ground?

Answer: Field elevation

With the current local setting, the altimeter should read the airport's field elevation.

A pilot notices the airspeed reads zero shortly after takeoff while other instruments are normal. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: Blocked pitot tube

A blocked pitot ram-air inlet causes the airspeed indicator to read low or zero.

The magnetic compass exhibits errors during turns; the acronym 'UNOS' refers to which error?

Answer: Undershoot North, Overshoot South

In the Northern Hemisphere the compass undershoots when turning to north and overshoots when turning to south.