I never did get that whole primary secondary stuff to stick in my brain.
Let alone integration...

Obviously, we all have to scan to keep it all on track. No one has ever
figured out a universally applicable optimal procedure for scanning.
And I guess only eyeball scanning will ever tell us what one actually does.

Anyway, after reading several anecdotal references to increased use of
the T&B, I tried it. It worked. Specifically when hand flying the
trimmed out Maule.

Next time you droning along, trimmed out, with Ralph or Bob or whatever
his name is turned off, replace your use of the AI with the TC. Of
course the DG tells you how you are doing and which way to correct, but
try flying with the TC only for longer than you would normally. The
experience changed my scan.

I think Collins wrote something recently where someone was hand flying
on instruments from the right seat. They couldn't see the AI well so
they used the TC instead. Collins had to comment that they were
smoother and straighter than usual and the reason given was use of the TC.

wrote:
...the AI gives you good info, and the heading gyro does
: too, but the best way to keep it all centered in my Maule is definitely
: the T&B. Especially in calm conditions.

I don't know if I'll agree with that. Once you dial in your wind correction
angle, the DG is the primary instrument for bank in straight-level flying.

When I was working on the instrument written, I tried to find easy ways to
remember primary vs supporting instruments for different stages of flight. One of my
conclusions was that for long-term accuracy, the instruments that provide the integral
of the chosen parameter are the most accurate, and thus "primary." For instance,
the result of a pitch change integrated gives you altitude, so it's primary for
straight-level. The result of a bank change integrated yields a heading, so the DG is
primary.

The trouble with direct-read indications is that they are not accurate enough
for long-term useage. The AI is good for radical attitude changes, but you cannot see
a 1/10 stdrad turn on either it or the T&B/TC. You *will* see it on the DG as the
numbers slows roll by.

Of course, to each their own. Just so long as you keep the shiny-side up!...


-Cory

************************************************** ***********************
* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
************************************************** ***********************