Standby Instruments
Why do we have Standby Instruments?
For a backup, of course. The smaller General Aviation aircraft don't have
backup instruments. If there is a failure ( instrument or vacuum, ice etc... )
you basically are down to needle, ball and airspeed. And we all know how fun that
can be! So, at this level, hopefully experience and judgement are what keeps
you out of a bad situation.
When you get into your
bigger/transport category aircraft, rules require these to have a backup set of
instruments. Some older aircraft would have a few, a separate attitude
indicator, and maybe a airspeed/altimeter combo instrument. The modern glass
cockpits will have one instrument with all 3 functions in one. These instruments are there in case
there is a failure of your main instruments for whatever reason. They have a
separate or independent power source, so if there is a problem with the
aircraft's power, the pilot will have some Basic reference to fly the airplane.
These instruments will keep you Blue side up, show your airspeed and altitude
and let you shoot an ILS.
What does your airplane have as
a backup? This is one thing we very rarely practice, even in the Sim. Where is the instrument is getting it's information, how long will the instrument
last with loss of all generators? A little bit of knowledge will go a long way
on a dark and stormy night.
We have a short video to show you a
modern standby instrument. Notice on the left is the airspeed, and the
right is the altimeter, both in tape format. In the upper left corner, the letters
ILS appear. It is in Red, meaning there is an ILS frequency but not yet
identified. Later it will turn Green once identified as a good frequency.
The localizer is displayed on the
bottom in a horizontal format. The Green triangle is to the left, meaning
we are to the right of course. The Glide slope is displayed on the right in a
vertical format. The Green triangle is at the bottom of the scale indicating we
are above the Glide slope.
The center of the instrument is
obviously the attitude of the airplane, showing the pitch and bank of the
aircraft.
Know what your aircraft has and how it works, it could save
your life someday!
