How to use flight instruments when flying an airplane - Sporty's Private Pilot Flight Training Tips

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of the flight instruments found in a Cessna 172, an essential aircraft for private pilot training. Understanding these instruments is crucial for safe and effective flying, as they provide critical information about the aircraft's performance and navigation.

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Instrument Panel Layout

• The instrument panel in a Cessna 172 is divided into three main areas:
  • Left Side: Flight navigation and engine instruments, electrical switches, and circuit breakers.
  • Middle: Radios, engine controls, fuel controls, flaps, and trim, designed for easy access by either pilot.
  • Right Side: Cabin environment controls and additional instruments.

Step 2: Understand the Airspeed Indicator

• The airspeed indicator shows speed in knots, which are nautical miles per hour.
• Key speed ranges are represented by different colored arcs:
  • Red Line: Maximum speed (never exceed).
  • Yellow Arc: Caution range (should only be flown in smooth air).
  • Green Arc: Normal operating range.
  • White Arc: Flap operating range.
• Remember that airspeed is the speed of the aircraft relative to the air around it.

Step 3: Interpret the Altimeter

• The altimeter measures the aircraft's altitude above sea level using rotating hands:
  • Fastest hand (hundreds of feet).
  • Short hand (thousands of feet).
  • Diamond-shaped hand (tens of thousands of feet).
• Example Reading:
  • If the hundreds hand is between 800 and 900 feet, the altimeter shows 840 feet (with each line between 800 and 900 representing 20 feet).
• Set the altimeter before every flight, as it adjusts for changing barometric pressure.

Step 4: Utilize the Attitude Indicator

• The attitude indicator displays the aircraft's orientation relative to the horizon.
• It uses a gyroscope to keep a horizon bar stable, with a miniature airplane indicating pitch and bank.
• Familiarize yourself with this instrument to maintain proper aircraft attitude during flight.

Step 5: Read the Heading Indicator

• The heading indicator shows the aircraft's direction and is crucial for navigation.
• It must be set to match the magnetic compass before takeoff and adjusted periodically during flight.
• Unlike magnetic compasses, the heading indicator is gyroscopically stabilized and unaffected by turns or speed changes.

Step 6: Monitor the Vertical Speed Indicator

• The vertical speed indicator measures the rate of climb or descent in feet per minute.
• Understanding this instrument helps maintain desired altitude during flight.

Step 7: Use the Turn Coordinator

• The turn coordinator indicates the direction and rate of turns.
• It includes a ball or inclinometer that shows the quality of the turn.
  • If balanced, the ball remains centered.
  • If the ball is off-center, it indicates a need for adjustment to maintain a proper turn.

Conclusion

Understanding and effectively using the flight instruments in a Cessna 172 is critical for safe flying. Regular practice with these instruments increases your confidence and proficiency as a pilot. Next steps include further training on these instruments and practical flight experience to reinforce these concepts.