The 6 Flight Instruments Pilots Need to Know

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Cockpit display showing the map display that depicts terrain ahead, airspeed,
attitude indicator and altimeter.
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BY SARINA HOUSTON Updated April 15, 2018
There are six traditional flight instruments in most aircraft cockpits. Many of
these instruments have taken on a more modern appearance over time, but even
technologically advanced aircraft have traditional instruments to use as back-ups
in case the primary system fails.

The following instruments make up what's called the "six-pack" in a traditional

cockpit where three instruments are stacked on top of three other instruments.
These six basic flight instruments are the main source of cockpit flight
information for pilots and are divided into two categories: static (or pitot-
static) instruments and gyroscopic instruments.

Static/Pitot-Static Instruments
Airspeed Indicator: The airspeed indicator tells the pilot the indicated airspeed
in knots (or in some cases, a Mach number). Airspeed is sometimes also depicted in
true airspeed, which is valuable information for flight planning. (True airspeed is
the actual speed of the airplane in relation to the air and is corrected for
temperature and density effects.
It's usually just a few knots different than indicated airspeed in small aircraft.)
In a nutshell, the airspeed indicator works by comparing ram air pressure from the
pitot tube to static air pressure from one or more static ports. The diaphragm
inside the instrument casing measures the pressure differential and depicts it on
the instrument pointer.
Airspeed indicators are color coded so the pilot can easily identify ranges such as
the normal operating range, flap operating range, and caution range. Minimum and
maximum speeds, as well as other important speeds (known as V-speeds), are marked
as well.

Altimeter: The altimeter reflects the aircraft's vertical height above MSL (mean
sea level) corrected for outside air pressure. The pilot sets the appropriate
pressure setting (a local setting for those flying below 18,000 feet) and the
altimeter will depict the corresponding altitude above MSL.
The altimeter works similar to a basic barometer, by comparing the static pressure
inside of a sealed aneroid capsule to the expanding or contracting pressure
surrounding it. When the airplane ascends or descends, the air pressure will
decrease or increase, respectively. This outside air pressure is constantly being
compared to the pressure inside the aneroid capsule, and with the help of linkage
and a pointer, the altitude is displayed on the cockpit instrument.
Vertical Speed Indicator: Vertical speed is the rate of the aircraft's climb or
descent, usually depicted in feet per minute (fpm) on a vertical speed indicator
(VSI). In level flight, the VSI needle points to '0' feet.
The VSI works by measuring and comparing the static pressure inside of an
expandable capsule to the metered static pressure outside of the capsule. The
pressure inside the capsule changes very quickly as the plane climbs or descends,
while the pressure outside of the capsule changes very slowly due to the metered
leak.
During climbs and descents, the capsule compresses or expands, respectively. The
pressure difference is measured and linked to the pointer, where it's depicted on
the instrument face. The VSI is valuable in determining if the airplane is climbing
or descending and the rate of the climb or descend. There can be a slight lag in
information depicted on the VSI if the aircraft is maneuvered abruptly. In
turbulence, the indications can be slightly erratic.
Gyroscopic Instruments
Attitude Indicator: The attitude indicator is possibly the most important
instrument for pilots. In one glance, a pilot can tell if the aircraft is climbing,
descending, turning or straight and level. It gives a direct indication of changes
to pitch attitude and bank. The attitude indicator consists of an artificial
horizon that is a background for a miniature airplane.
The instrument is meant to depict the sky (usually blue in color) and the ground
(typically brown), with a miniature airplane positioned on the artificial horizon
(a white line) in level flight. In most cases, the miniature airplane is attached
to the instrument viewing case, and it moves with the airplane.
The artificial horizon senses movement from the gyroscope and remains suspended in
relation to a self-erecting gyroscope, which "holds" its position in reference to
the actual horizon. The gyroscope itself can be vacuum-driven or electric.
Heading Indicator: A basic tool for navigation, the heading indicator provides
directional information to the pilot similar to the way a magnetic compass does.
The heading indicator itself is not north-seeking but can depict an accurate
heading when aligned to a magnetic compass. The heading indicator is a gyroscopic
instrument and can be vacuum-driven or electrically powered.
As the aircraft turns left or right, the heading indicator will change to depict a
new heading between zero and 359 degrees on a compass card. A miniature aircraft is
located in the center of the indicator and turns with the airplane while the
gyroscope (and coinciding linkage) turn the compass card on the instrument. In a
left turn, the miniature airplane appears to turn left while the compass card turns
right.
Turn Coordinator: The turn coordinator is another gyroscopic instrument that can be
either electric or vacuum-driven. It's one of the simplest instruments, with a
miniature airplane that dips its wings one way or another to show the rate of turn
or rate or roll.
When a pilot rolls the airplane into a turn, the miniature airplane quickly shows a
corresponding roll. There are tick marks on the instrument that are calibrated to
depict a standard rate turn for an airplane (a 360-degree standard-rate turn takes
two minutes).
The turn coordinator also includes an inclinometer, which is a ball suspended in a
fluid that reacts like a pendulum during turning flight. The ball acts in response
to gravity and turning forces and will depict a coordinated or uncoordinated turn.
The pilot can then counteract an uncoordinated turn with the use of rudder
movement, avoiding a slipping or skidding turn.