The six-pack, live
Fly the airplane with sliders and watch every instrument respond. Then fail the vacuum, pitot or static system.
Try it: pitch up and watch airspeed fall, the altimeter climb and the VSI go positive. Bank and watch the turn coordinator and heading change. Then fail a system and see which instruments lie.
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Simplified model · not a simulatorFail a system:
Which system powers which instrument
| Instrument | Works by | If it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Airspeed indicator | Pitot + static pressure | Pitot blocked: acts like an altimeter. Static blocked: reads low climbing, high descending. |
| Altimeter | Static pressure | Static blocked: freezes at the blockage altitude. |
| Vertical speed indicator | Static pressure (rate of change) | Static blocked: reads zero. |
| Attitude indicator | Gyro, usually vacuum-driven | Vacuum failure: slowly tumbles and becomes unreliable. |
| Heading indicator | Gyro, usually vacuum-driven | Vacuum failure: drifts. Even when working, reset it to the compass about every 15 minutes. |
| Turn coordinator | Electric gyro + inclinometer (ball) | Electrical failure. It's your backup when the vacuum fails. |
Partial panel: when the vacuum fails, cover the attitude and heading indicators and fly with the turn coordinator, airspeed, altimeter, VSI and compass. Keep the ball centered with rudder: "step on the ball."
This lab uses a generic training airplane and a simplified model. Glass-cockpit airplanes use electronic sensors (AHRS and an air data computer) with different failure modes; learn your airplane's systems from its POH.
Sources: PHAK Chapter 8 (Flight Instruments); Instrument Flying Handbook Chapters 5–7.
Check yourself
Use it with
Flight Instruments2 min read
Aircraft Systems2 min read
Instrument Rating Requirements (Part 61, Airplane)✓ Source-checked · 2 min read
Prepare for: Basic Attitude Instrument Flying (Private)Lesson Prep
Prepare for: Partial Panel and Loss of Primary InstrumentsLesson Prep
Prepare for: Recovery from Unusual Attitudes (Instrument)Lesson Prep
Prepare for: Systems and Equipment MalfunctionsLesson Prep