Ken S. Tucker wrote:
On May 19, 6:54 pm, Mxsmanic wrote:
Ken S. Tucker writes:
I disagee. If all Instruments go dead, go to
magnetic compass for heading, even in a fog, that's
SOP.
If you have a compass, all instruments are not dead.

Well duh, it's a magnetic compass in a fluid.

However, that won't be enough in IMC.

Is for me.

Maintaining altitude is "seat of pants" thing, so
what? Set cruise RPM and feel airspeed.
That isn't possible.

Sure it is.
As long as you're not accelerating, which is something
that can be sensed by audio RPM , the magnetic
compass can operate as an artificial horizon too,
because it's like a plumb-bob.
It's of course, independant of operating systems.

IIRC, the magnetic compass is on pre-flight check
list, date of calibration and ascertain operation on
taxi.
Ken


Instrument Flying Made Easy~

Most people wish to fly on the old gauges at one time or another but are
prevented by the high cost of the instruments necessary for this form of
flight. The following is a more or less known and extremely simple
method which may be used by all.

Place a live cat on the cockpit floor, because a cat always remains
upright, he or she can be used in lieu of a needle and ball instrument.
Merely watch to see which way he leans to determine if a wing is low and
if so, which one. This will enable you to your aircraft level in route
with complete accuracy and confidence.

A duck is used for final instrument approach and landing, because of the
fact that any sensible old duck will refuse to fly under instrument
conditions, it is only necessary to hurl your duck out of the cockpit
window and follow her to the ground.

There are some limitations on the cat and duck method, but by rigidly
adhering to the following check list a degree of success will be
achieved which will not only startle you, but will astonish your
passengers as well, and may have an occasional tower operator with an
open mouth.

· Get a wide-awake cat, most cats do not want to stand up all the time,
so it may be necessary to carry a fierce dog along to keep the cat at
attention.

· Make sure your cat is clean, dirty cats will spend all the time
washing. Trying to follow a washing cat usually results in a slow roll
followed by an inverted spin. You will see that this is most unprofessional.

· Old cats are the best, young cats have nine lives, but an old used up
cat with only one life left has just as much to loose and will be more
dependable.

· Avoid stray cats. Try to get one with good character because you may
want to spend time with her.

· Beware of cowardly ducks, if the duck discovers that you are using the
cat to stay upright, she will refuse to leave the airplane without the
cat. Ducks are no better on instruments than you are.

· Get a duck with good eyes. Near sighted ducks sometimes fail to
recognize that they are on the old gauges and will go flogging into the
nearest hill. Very near sighted ducks will not realize that they have
been thrown out and will descend to the ground in a sitting position.
This is a most difficult maneuver to follow in an airplane.

· Choose your duck carefully, it is easy to confuse ducks with geese.
Many large birds look alike. While they are very competent instrument
fliers, geese seldom want to go in the same direction that you do. If
your duck seems to be taking a heading to Ireland or Sweden, you may be
safe in assuming that someone has given you a goose.

(Can't recall the source, but I've always thought it was funny :-)


--
Dudley Henriques