IFH 5-8

FL Without RVSM With RVSM 7 Usable Flight Levels 13 Usable Flight Levels 410 400 390 380 370 360 350 340 330 320 310 300 290 Figure 3-9. Increase aircraft permitted between FL180 to FL410. Figure 5-9. Increase in aircraft permitted between FL 180 and FL 410. Figure 5-10. Rate of climb or descent in thousands of feet per minute. envelope, the largest combined absolute value for residual static source error plus the avionics error may not exceed 200 feet. Aircraft with TCAS must have compatibility with RVSM Operations. Figure 5-9 illustrates the increase in aircraft permitted between FL 180 and FL 410. Most noteworthy, however, is the economization that aircraft can take advantage of by the higher FLs being available to more aircraft. Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI) The VSI in Figure 5-10 is also called a vertical velocity indicator (VVI), and was formerly known as a rate-of-climb indicator. It is a rate-of-pressure change instrument that gives an indication of any deviation from a constant pressure level. Inside the instrument case is an aneroid very much like the one in an ASI. Both the inside of this aneroid and the inside of the instrument case are vented to the static system, but the case is vented through a calibrated orifice that causes the pressure inside the case to change more slowly than the pressure inside the aneroid. As the aircraft ascends, the static pressure becomes lower. The pressure inside the case compresses the aneroid, moving the pointer upward, showing a climb and indicating the rate of ascent in number of feet per minute (fpm). When the aircraft levels off, the pressure no longer changes. The pressure inside the case becomes equal to that inside the aneroid, and the pointer returns to its horizontal, or zero, position. When the aircraft descends, the static pressure increases. The aneroid expands, moving the pointer downward, indicating a descent. The pointer indication in a VSI lags a few seconds behind the actual change in pressure. However, it is more sensitive than an altimeter and is useful in alerting the pilot of an upward or downward trend, thereby helping maintain a constant altitude. Some of the more complex VSIs, called instantaneous vertical speed indicators (IVSI), have two accelerometer-actuated air pumps that sense an upward or downward pitch of the aircraft and instantaneously create a pressure differential. By the time the pressure caused by the pitch acceleration dissipates, the altitude pressure change is effective. Dynamic Pressure Type Instruments Airspeed Indicator (ASI) An ASI is a differential pressure gauge that measures the dynamic pressure of the air through which the aircraft is flying. Dynamic pressure is the difference in the ambient static air pressure and the total, or ram, pressure caused by the motion of the aircraft through the air. These two pressures are taken from the pitot-static system. The mechanism of the ASI in Figure 5-11 consists of a thin, corrugated phosphor bronze aneroid, or diaphragm, that receives its pressure from the pitot tube. The instrument case is sealed and connected to the static ports. As the pitot pressure increases or the static pressure decreases, the diaphragm expands. This dimensional change is measured by a rocking shaft and a set of gears that drives a pointer across the instrument dial. Most ASIs are calibrated in knots, or nautical miles per hour; some instruments show statute miles per hour, and some instruments show both.