X-Nico

5 unusual facts about Flight instruments


Autoland

The work included analysis of fog structures, human perception, instrument design, and lighting cues amongst many others.

Diamond DA20

Diamond indicated the Aspen PFD was easy to incorporate into the existing instrument panel design because it mounts in a standard round instrument hole.

Flight instruments

This panel arrangement was incorporated into every RAF aircraft, from the light single engined Tiger Moth trainer, to the 4-engined Avro Lancaster heavy bomber, and minimized the type-conversion difficulties associated with Blind Flying, since a pilot trained on one aircraft could quickly become accustomed to any other if the instruments were identical.

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.

Magnetic chip detector

When metal chips bridge the gap in the plugs, a warning light on the instrument panel illuminates indicating presence of metal chips.


Arado Ar 196

The final production version was the A-5 from 1943, which changed radios and cockpit instruments, and switched the rear gun to the much-improved MG 81Z.


see also