Instrument Issues

Instruments have been a part of aviation since the first flights by the Wright Flyer equipped with a stopwatch, an anemometer to measure wind speed and a Veedor to measure engine revolutions. With the increase of flight activity in the early years of aviation, aircraft instruments were invented that provided necessary information to pilots for precise control and navigation of their aircraft.

Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Pilots and aircraft owners must deeply understand the various instrument systems (pitot-static, vacuum, electrical, mechanical) that are critical for safe flight control and navigation.
Each instrument system has unique failure modes—such as leaks, contamination, wear, and electrical issues—necessitating vigilant maintenance, prompt repairs, and regular inspections to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Inaccurate or inoperative instruments severely compromise aircraft performance and safety, making thorough preflight checks and adherence to regulatory requirements essential to prevent serious consequences.

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Instruments have been a part of aviation since the first flights by the Wright Flyer equipped with a stopwatch, an anemometer to measure wind speed and a “Veedor” to measure engine revolutions. With the increase of flight activity in the early years of aviation, aircraft instruments were invented that provided necessary information to pilots for precise control and navigation of their aircraft.

In your role as a pilot—and especially if you’re an aircraft owner—it’s important to understand not only how aircraft instruments work but also be knowledgeable of the systems that they interface with. The maintenance and care of an aircraft, its systems and required inspections are a task for which the aircraft owner is responsible. And it is not an easy one.