IFH 5-2

30.0 29.9 29.8 Ram air Pitot tube Static port Baffle plate Drain hole Heater (100 watts) Static hole Static hole Static chamber Heater (35 watts) Pitot pressure chamber Pitot heater switch Alternate static source Drain hole Figure 3-1. A typical electrically heated poitot-static head. Figure 5-1. A typical electrically heated pitot-static head. Aircraft that are flown in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) are equipped with instruments that provide attitude and direction reference, as well as navigation instruments that allow precision flight from takeoff to landing with limited or no outside visual reference. The instruments discussed in this chapter are those required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, and are organized into three groups: pitot-static instruments, compass systems, and gyroscopic instruments. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how to preflight these systems for IFR flight. This chapter addresses additional avionics systems such as Electronic Flight Information Systems (EFIS), Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS), Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS), Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Head Up Display (HUD), etc., that are increasingly being incorporated into general aviation aircraft. Pitot/Static Systems Pitot pressure, or impact air pressure, is sensed through an open-end tube pointed directly into the relative wind flowing around the aircraft. The pitot tube connects to the ASI or an air data computer depending on your aircraft's configuration. Static Pressure Static pressure is also used by the ASI as well as the other pitot static instruments for determining altitude and vertical speed. Static pressure may be sensed at one or more locations on an aircraft. Some may be flush mounted on the fuselage or integrated into the electrically heated pitot tube. [Figure 5-1] These ports are in locations proven by flight tests to be in undisturbed air, and they may be paired, one on either side of the aircraft. This dual location prevents lateral movement of the aircraft from giving erroneous static pressure indications. The areas around the static ports may be heated with electric heater elements to prevent ice forming over the port and blocking the entry of the static air. Three basic pressure-operated instruments are found in aircraft instrument panels flown under IFR. These are the ASI, sensitive altimeter, and vertical speed indicator (VSI). All three instruments receive static air pressure for operation with only the ASI receiving both pitot and static pressure. [Figure 5-2] Blockage of the Pitot-Static System Errors in the ASI and VSI almost always indicate a blockage of the pitot tube, the static port(s), or both. Moisture (including ice), dirt, or even insects can cause a blockage in both systems. During preflight, it is very important to make sure the pitot tube cover is removed and that static port openings are checked for blockage and damage. Blocked Pitot System If the pitot tube drain hole becomes obstructed, the pitot system can become partially or completely blocked. When dynamic pressure cannot enter the pitot tube opening, the ASI no longer operates. If the drain hole is open, static pressure equalizes on both sides of the diaphram in the ASI and the