Re: [COUPERS-TECH] Attitude Indicators - SCAN

[Dr. R. B.]

Good point not to trust vacuum; that's why I suggest using your dual-axis gyro horizon as a primary focus as long as you back up its information by continually scanning altimeter and ASI.  The Vertical Speed Indicator is handy, but you have to be careful not to chase it.  You'll never catch the needle and it will fool an inexperienced VFR pilot into thinking they've got things under control.  The VSI [VVI to military types] is simply too reactive to use as an attitude indicator.  Mine's always bobbing around.  My aviator friends, however, suggest that it's simply because I'm a sloppy pilot and can't hold altitude.  That as may be...I thanked them for sharing that with me, and I was the one paying for the drinks!   Dr. R. Beeman ----- Original Message ----- From: Donald Bowen To: tech@ercoupers.com Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2005 11:13 AM Subject: [COUPERS-TECH] Attitude Indicators - SCAN ----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]---- Not too long ago, on an daytime IFR flight in my previous airplane, I was completely "in the soup", in a heavy rainstorm. Then, my attitude indicator showed me to start a steepening right, decending turn.  In fact, I had experienced a vacuum system failure. Quickly directing my scan to the vertical speed indicator, the turn coordinator and the magnetic compass confirmed the vac pump failure, as did the tiny vac pressure gage. I, personally, do not agree with using the attitude indicator as a primary pitch indication, even if the vacuum system is not malfunctioning.  A nose-up pitch indication normally indicates a climb, "normally", but not always. The identical nose up pitch indication could be displayed in a power off stall, or in a low power cruise. The vertical speed indicator will give a better pitch indication in all cases.     don bowen [EMAIL PROTECTED]   ============================================================================== To leave this forum go to: http://ercoupers.com/lists.htm Search the archives on http://escribe.com/aviation/coupers-tech/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.9.13 - Release Date: 4/16/2005

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