12 practice questions from the 261 in this chapter of StudyWren Aviation. Pick an answer and check it to see the explanation and its FAA source.
Glass Cockpit & Electronic InstrumentsPAR-03-180
What does an air data computer (ADC) do?
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The answer is C: It turns pitot, static, and temperature inputs into air data
The ADC receives pitot pressure, static pressure, and outside air temperature and computes airspeed, true airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, and related values for the PFD. Attitude comes from the AHRS, and heading from the magnetometer via the AHRS.
The answer is C: It turns pitot, static, and temperature inputs into air data
The ADC receives pitot pressure, static pressure, and outside air temperature and computes airspeed, true airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, and related values for the PFD. Attitude comes from the AHRS, and heading from the magnetometer via the AHRS.
In an electronic flight instrument system, what is the function of the magnetometer?
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The answer is C: It senses the earth's magnetic field to provide heading information
The magnetometer (a flux-sensing unit, usually mounted away from interference such as in a wing) measures the earth's magnetic field and supplies heading to the AHRS. Static pressure goes to the air data computer for altitude, and rate sensors in the AHRS provide attitude.
The answer is C: It senses the earth's magnetic field to provide heading information
The magnetometer (a flux-sensing unit, usually mounted away from interference such as in a wing) measures the earth's magnetic field and supplies heading to the AHRS. Static pressure goes to the air data computer for altitude, and rate sensors in the AHRS provide attitude.
On a glass-cockpit display, what does a red X over an instrument indication mean?
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The answer is B: The data for that indication is invalid or unavailable
A red X replaces an indication when the system can no longer supply valid data for it, so the pilot must use backup instruments or other sources for that information.
The answer is B: The data for that indication is invalid or unavailable
A red X replaces an indication when the system can no longer supply valid data for it, so the pilot must use backup instruments or other sources for that information.
In cruise, red X's suddenly appear over the airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed tapes on your PFD, while the attitude and heading displays remain normal. What has most likely failed, and what should you use?
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The answer is C: The air data computer; use the standby airspeed indicator and altimeter
Airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed all come from the air data computer, so losing all three together points to an ADC (or air data input) failure. The AHRS is still working because attitude and heading remain valid; use the standby pitot-static instruments.
The answer is C: The air data computer; use the standby airspeed indicator and altimeter
Airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed all come from the air data computer, so losing all three together points to an ADC (or air data input) failure. The AHRS is still working because attitude and heading remain valid; use the standby pitot-static instruments.
The attitude display and heading indication on your PFD are replaced by red X's, but the airspeed, altitude, and vertical speed tapes remain valid. Which component has most likely failed, and what backups apply?
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The answer is C: The AHRS; use the standby attitude indicator and magnetic compass
Attitude and heading come from the AHRS, so losing both while air data is still valid indicates an AHRS failure. Fly with the standby attitude indicator and the magnetic compass.
The answer is C: The AHRS; use the standby attitude indicator and magnetic compass
Attitude and heading come from the AHRS, so losing both while air data is still valid indicates an AHRS failure. Fly with the standby attitude indicator and the magnetic compass.
Your airplane has a glass PFD fed by an air data computer. If the pitot tube becomes blocked by ice, how will the PFD's airspeed indication be affected?
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The answer is C: It will show the same errors a mechanical airspeed indicator would
The ADC uses the same pitot and static inputs as conventional instruments, so blockages produce the same kinds of errors on the airspeed tape. GPS provides groundspeed, not airspeed, and the AHRS provides attitude and heading.
The answer is C: It will show the same errors a mechanical airspeed indicator would
The ADC uses the same pitot and static inputs as conventional instruments, so blockages produce the same kinds of errors on the airspeed tape. GPS provides groundspeed, not airspeed, and the AHRS provides attitude and heading.
What is reversionary mode in an integrated glass cockpit?
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The answer is A: A mode in which the remaining display shows the flight instruments after a display fails
If one display fails, reversionary mode (selected automatically or by the pilot) presents the primary flight information and essential engine data on the remaining display so the flight can continue.
The answer is A: A mode in which the remaining display shows the flight instruments after a display fails
If one display fails, reversionary mode (selected automatically or by the pilot) presents the primary flight information and essential engine data on the remaining display so the flight can continue.
On many PFDs, what does the airspeed trend vector show?
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The answer is C: Where airspeed will be in about 6 seconds at the current rate of change
The trend vector extends up or down the airspeed tape to show the airspeed predicted a few seconds ahead (about 6 seconds on common systems) if the current acceleration continues. It helps the pilot anticipate and prevent airspeed deviations.
The answer is C: Where airspeed will be in about 6 seconds at the current rate of change
The trend vector extends up or down the airspeed tape to show the airspeed predicted a few seconds ahead (about 6 seconds on common systems) if the current acceleration continues. It helps the pilot anticipate and prevent airspeed deviations.
On your PFD's heading display, the turn-rate trend vector extends exactly to the standard-rate index mark. What rate of turn is the airplane making?
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The answer is C: About 3° per second
The turn-rate indicator's standard-rate mark corresponds to 3° per second (360° in 2 minutes). A trend vector reaching the half-way mark would indicate a half-standard-rate turn of 1.5° per second.
The turn-rate indicator's standard-rate mark corresponds to 3° per second (360° in 2 minutes). A trend vector reaching the half-way mark would indicate a half-standard-rate turn of 1.5° per second.
In a typical glass-cockpit training airplane, which instruments are installed as standby (backup) instruments?
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The answer is B: Airspeed indicator, altimeter, attitude indicator, and magnetic compass
Typical glass-cockpit trainers carry a standby airspeed indicator, standby altimeter, a standby attitude indicator (often with its own battery or vacuum source), and a magnetic compass, so basic control and navigation remain possible if the displays fail.
The answer is B: Airspeed indicator, altimeter, attitude indicator, and magnetic compass
Typical glass-cockpit trainers carry a standby airspeed indicator, standby altimeter, a standby attitude indicator (often with its own battery or vacuum source), and a magnetic compass, so basic control and navigation remain possible if the displays fail.
During the preflight cockpit check, what should you verify about the magnetic compass?
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The answer is B: It is full of fluid, swings freely, and has a correction card
Check that the compass is full of fluid (no bubbles or leaks), the card moves freely and shows known headings, and the compass correction card is in place. The compass shows magnetic, not true, heading and needs no vacuum.
The answer is B: It is full of fluid, swings freely, and has a correction card
Check that the compass is full of fluid (no bubbles or leaks), the card moves freely and shows known headings, and the compass correction card is in place. The compass shows magnetic, not true, heading and needs no vacuum.
Right after engine start, you set the vacuum-driven heading indicator to the magnetic compass, but during taxi it drifts noticeably. What is a likely explanation?
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The answer is C: The gyro had not yet reached operating speed when you set it
A vacuum-driven heading indicator needs about 5 minutes after engine start to reach operating speed (IFH), and the PHAK notes that at idle power vacuum gyros may not be up to speed, so precession may occur more rapidly. Set it after spin-up and recheck it during taxi and before takeoff.
The answer is C: The gyro had not yet reached operating speed when you set it
A vacuum-driven heading indicator needs about 5 minutes after engine start to reach operating speed (IFH), and the PHAK notes that at idle power vacuum gyros may not be up to speed, so precession may occur more rapidly. Set it after spin-up and recheck it during taxi and before takeoff.
