Flight Deck Controls

Safety Spotlight: Pinch Hitter

Instrumentation may consist of several individual gauges, which are often called steam gauges, or may be shown together on digital displays as part of a “glass cockpit.” The instruments show a variety of information—from airspeed and altitude to your location and engine temperature. Be sure to ask your pilot to explain the types of instruments in the airplane you fly.

Airspeed Indicator: The airspeed indicator is like the speedometer in your car. (Reads: 122 knots)
Attitude Indicator: The attitude indicator, sometimes called an artificial horizon, shows the airplane’s pitch and bank in relation to the horizon. (Shows level flight)
Altimeter: The altimeter shows the aircraft’s height above mean sea level (msl). (Reads: 3,000 feet msl)
Heading Indicator: The heading indicator shows the direction the aircraft is flying. (Reads: 150 degrees)
Vertical Speed Indicator: The vertical speed indicator (VSI) shows the rate in feet per minute that the aircraft is going up or down. For most airplanes, a comfortable rate of climb or descent is between 500 and 1,000 feet per minute. (Reads: 0 fpm descent)
Tachometer: The tachometer indicates how much power the engine is producing. (Reads: 2600 rpm)
Fuel Gauges: Most general aviation aircraft have one fuel tank in each wing, but your airplane may have more. This gauge shows how much fuel is in each tank. (Reads: 11 gallons (left tank) 12 gallons (right tank))

Airspeed Indictor: The airspeed indicator is like the speedometer in your car. (Reads: 116 to 117 knots)
Attitude Indicator: The attitude indicator, sometimes called an artificial horizon, shows the airplane’s pitch and bank in relation to the horizon. (Shows level flight)
Altimeter: The altimeter shows the aircraft’s height above mean sea level (msl). (Reads: 5,500 feet msl)
Heading Indicator: The heading indicator shows the direction the aircraft is flying. (Reads: 89 degrees)
Vertical Speed Indicator: The vertical speed indicator (VSI) shows the rate in feet per minute that the aircraft is going up or down. (Reads: 0 feet per minute)
Tachometer: The tachometer indicates how much power the engine is producing. (Reads: 2630 rpm)
Fuel Gauges: Most general aviation aircraft have one fuel tank in each wing, but your airplane may have more. This gauge shows how much fuel is in each tank. (Reads: Approximately 13 gallons in both the left and right tanks)

Aviation English

MSL—Mean sea level. This is the aircraft height above sea level and is measured by the altimeter.

AGL—Above ground level. This is the distance between the aircraft and the ground. This distance is generally determined from the MSL altitude minus the estimate ground height.

Knots—Most airspeed indicators measure airspeed in knots. When you are flying 100 knots it means you will travel 100 nautical miles in one hour. 100 nautical miles = 115 statute (normal) miles. So, if your airplane is flying at 100 knots, its speed is 115 mph. Some older aircraft have airspeed indicators that read in mph.

I Follow Roads

VFR—Stands for “Visual Flight Rules,” which means that the pilot flies the aircraft in reference to the outside horizon. In layman’s terms, this is fair weather flying.

IFR—Refers to “Instrument Flight Rules,” a method of flying that requires additional procedures and air traffic control communications. When flying IFR, you may be in the clouds or you may be in clear skies, but you follow communication and navigation procedures different from VFR.

VMC—Stands for “Visual Meteorological Conditions” and refers to defined visibility, cloud distances, and cloud heights that allow pilots to fly by looking outside. While there is a technical difference between “VFR” and “VMC,” they are often used interchangeably.

IMC—Is short for “Instrument Meteorological Conditions.” You may have heard this described as being “in the soup,” referring to low visibilities or flying within clouds. Flying in these conditions will be done primarily or entirely by reference to the panel instruments, and the pilot must follow IFR procedures.

Radio and Transponder

There are two main components to communications with ATC and other airplanes: the radio and the transponder.

When talking on the radio, simply say who you’re calling, who you are, and what you want. In an emergency, just speak normally.

Talking on the radio may be intimidating, but it’s no big deal. Next time you fly, ask your pilot to show you the basics of operating the radios. Depending on where you are and how comfortable you feel, you can even ask to make a call or two!

Everyone has to take turns when speaking on the radio. If two or more pilots try to talk at the same time, both transmissions will be ‘blocked’ and not heard.

When talking on the radio, simply say who you’re calling, who you are, and what you want. In an emergency, just speak normally. If not already talking to someone on the radio, use the standard emergency frequency of 121.5.

The transponder sends a code to air traffic control’s radar, and now ADS-B (a ground-based system to aid in air traffic separation) allows equipped airplanes to view your radar signal as well. Two codes worth knowing are 1200 (normal VFR operations) and 7700 (emergency). Ask your pilot if you can put in the transponder code next time you fly!

Four Ws of Communication

Do you know what to say before keying the mic? The AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Safety Tip: Four Ws of Communication will help hone your radio skills. Whether you’re flying at a nontowered field or communicating with ATC, concise communication improves safety.