Avionics instruments incorporate a wide range of equipment essential for the correct operation of aircraft. These include flight directors, gyroscopes, engine instruments and horizontal situation indicators among others. Regular maintenance for these instruments is crucial for the safe operation of any aircraft.
Pitot-static system
This system consists of a linkage between pitot and static tubes connected to three displays. Pilots can tell the speed of an aircraft from the airspeed indicator and the altitude from the altimeter. The third display is the Mach number indicator that also displays the speed of an aircraft in Mach numbers. All these indicators depend on the speed of air on the outside of the aircraft.
Fuel and Oil Pressure Indicators
Parameters such as the fuel pressure, oil pressure, and hydraulic pressure are determined through voltmeter action. Their respective displays consist of calibrated dials whose value changes in accordance to a change in electrical signals. The fuel pressure indicator provides a check on how steadily fuel is supplied under a given pressure. On the other hand, an indication for the oil pressure is essential to prevent engine failure.
Engine Instruments
Flight operators further rely on a number of engine instruments to keep their vehicles in control. For instance an indicator for the exhaust gas temperature helps to determine the temperature of exhaust gases as they leave the jet engine. A tachometer displays the speed of a power section within the engine in revolutions per minute.
Although radial indicators form the basis for display in aviation, vertical scale indicators are becoming more pronounced today. Parameters such as fuel flow, performance data, and engine speed are now commonly shown in vertical indicators. The sensing system of both types of displays is essentially the same.
Gyroscopes
Gyroscopes also form an important part of avionics instruments. These instruments basically use the principle of a spinning wheel. For instance, the vertical gyro indicator is an attitude indicator that shows the position of an aircraft relative to the earth’s horizon. Turn and bank instruments help pilots know the lateral attitude of their planes when they are flying straight.
Communication Instruments
Air crafts largely depend on radio instruments for communication. These are the most practical instruments to serve this purpose since they do not require interconnecting wires. Additionally, it is easier to share information among many aircraft and marine vessels through the use of radio. Radio communication may either be long range or short range. Maintenance on these equipment mainly involves the trans receivers on the aircraft.
Given the high number of avionics instruments within an aircraft, proper maintenance is crucial for their safe operation. Repair and maintenance work should only be carried out by authorized personnel with fast turn times. Accuracy and professionalism should be manifest at all times.
