Spinning Your Gyros

Over the last couple of years, Ive spent some time helping students transition to full-fledged private pilots. One of the first questions I do is ask them is to picture a standard six-pack of steam-gauge instruments and explain what they each do and where they get their energy. Most pilots can quickly rattle off the airspeed indicator, the altimeter and the vertical speed indicator. Those systems are relatively simple to understand and describe.

James R. Warmkessel

Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Aircraft gyroscopic instruments like the Attitude Indicator (AI) and Heading Indicator (HI/DG) traditionally rely on engine-driven vacuum pumps, which are either "dry" (prone to sudden failure) or "wet" (oil-lubricated, slower failure).
Key vacuum system components, including the pump, shearable driveshaft, and regulator, are all susceptible to failure, which can be insidious and lead to unreliable gyro indications requiring careful instrument scanning.
Pilots can mitigate the risk of vacuum system failures through various backup methods, such as dual vacuum pumps, electric standby pumps, or installing redundant electric flight instruments.
The article suggests that the ideal solution to vacuum system failures is converting to an all-electric instrument system, utilizing modern electronic flight displays (EFIS) for enhanced functionality and reliability.

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Over the last couple of years, I’ve spent some time helping students transition to full-fledged private pilots. One of the first questions I do is ask them is to picture a standard six-pack of “steam-gauge” instruments and explain what they each do and where they get their energy. Most pilots can quickly rattle off the airspeed indicator, the altimeter and the vertical speed indicator. Those systems are relatively simple to understand and describe.

The gyros, however, seem more challenging for students. I have always maintained that, to understand the gyroscopic instruments better, it is best to hold one in your hand, where you can observe how it operates, especially when the case has been removed. Seeing the buckets, gimbles, motors and other components up close demonstrates these concepts so much better than a verbal or written description, or even a photo.