Magnetometer??

David Koehler wrote:
FYI a magnetometer is a compass for a computer,

Aha,I was wondering what this thread was about. I guess it is a
matter if definition. The basic definition of a magnetometer as I
understand it is to detect and measure magnetic fields. None of the
magnetometers I have used were small enough, light enough or logically
located in a cockpit. Then again none were connected to a computer.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

Hi Dan,
this one is fairly small, it feeds a computer for a EFIS system. Grand
Rapids uses them on their system. From what I heard once it's setup your
finished with it. That sure beats the heck out of adjusting for drift every
15 minutes on a heading indicator.

"Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" wrote in message
news:uIrnf.60036$sg5.34729@dukeread12...
David Koehler wrote:
FYI a magnetometer is a compass for a computer,

Aha,I was wondering what this thread was about. I guess it is a
matter if definition. The basic definition of a magnetometer as I
understand it is to detect and measure magnetic fields. None of the
magnetometers I have used were small enough, light enough or logically
located in a cockpit. Then again none were connected to a computer.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

David Koehler wrote:
Hi Dan,
this one is fairly small, it feeds a computer for a EFIS system. Grand
Rapids uses them on their system. From what I heard once it's setup your
finished with it. That sure beats the heck out of adjusting for drift every
15 minutes on a heading indicator.

"Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired" wrote in message
news:uIrnf.60036$sg5.34729@dukeread12...

David Koehler wrote:

FYI a magnetometer is a compass for a computer,

Aha,I was wondering what this thread was about. I guess it is a
matter if definition. The basic definition of a magnetometer as I
understand it is to detect and measure magnetic fields. None of the
magnetometers I have used were small enough, light enough or logically
located in a cockpit. Then again none were connected to a computer.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired



I installed flux valves is extraodinarilly difficult places on some
aircraft and amazingly easy on others (if you aren't afraid of heights).
I have come to the conclusion there's a conspiracy among the makers of
flux valves to have them fail in extremely hot weather, extremely cold
weather or when I was the only one left in the shop who has swung one.
In the latter case you would have seen some rather large swing crews
MC-1 compass swing set ring a bell, anyone?

I wonder if the magnetomer you are using is anywhere near as
sensitive to induction as a flux valve. If it isn't I'd say you could
get away with mounting it resonably distant from electrical systems. If
you have ever seen a mag compass drift when lighting, pitot heat or the
like is turned on/off you'll have an idea of what too close is.

Other than that I'm not sure what I can do offer. Have you contacted
the maker?

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired

On larger aircraft they usually call out only non-ferris screws within
about 18" or so, epending on the manufacturer. They are usually in
the wing tips about the same distnce from the nav lights and strobes.
We swing the compasses when done and adjust them for their location.

Don Hammer wrote:
On larger aircraft they usually call out only non-ferris screws within
about 18" or so, epending on the manufacturer. They are usually in
the wing tips about the same distnce from the nav lights and strobes.
We swing the compasses when done and adjust them for their location.


Those are the easy ones. Nothing like leaning on a speed handle
looking straight down at the ground a dozen feet below. In UH-1P it's
in the boom on the other side of a bulkhead from the access panel on the
bottom of the boom. Compass swings were quite amusing.

Degaussing windscreens in the rain is also fun. As Don said
nonferrous screws are the only ones allowed within a specified radius.
However ferrous metals do wind up close to mag compasses. I found one
aircraft type, I forget which, has the compass light switch right next
to it. You guessed it, it ferrous content. Since it was mounted under
the compensation magnets I don't think it mattered much, but the compass
moved a couple of degrees when the light was turned on.

Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired