Alternative magnetic compass

I just googled searched for photos of F-22 and F-35 cockpits and instrument panels, did not see a compass. Sure there is a gryo, but could not find a non electronic compass. I too think it is a relic of days gone by. I have three gps' in my bird, a selection of three batteries with turtle deck solar panels, I can use to power the instrument cluster and each instrument is individually fused. As a back up I have an iPhone, and maps where by I can align the topographic features to what I see outside, thus determine the rough compass headings.

In 4,500 hours of flying I have only used a vertical card compass to determine the direction of the runway while approaching an airport. Now with my moving map, I think I shall not even do that.

Sometimes the TCDS or AFM specify a certain make or model of compass so be sure to check that. In some cases those specs have been altered by a subsequent TN from the manufacturer giving guidance to the installation of additional equipment to allow for the possibility that the originally specified equipment may no longer be available (Schleicher for one has done this). God knows why but the manual for my ASW-15 says that if the compass cannot be corrected to within acceptable limits when installed in the panel, it can be installed on the cockpit sidewall. In Canada, flight rules require a magnetic compass even if the TCDS and manual AND airworthiness requirements for pure glider don't. The regulatory requirement is the only reason I have one in my ship and it would be the same even if GPS had never been invented. Where I fly the compass is useless.

I'm sure the F35 has a magnetic compass. Odds are it costs $250,000, was designed to do triple duty as magnetic direction indicator, disco ball and contractor cash flow enhancer and averages twelve hours maintenance for every hour in the air.

On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 5:32:51 PM UTC+3, wrote:
A sailplane's Flight Manual usually requires a magnetic compass (or an aviation compass)as minimum equipment. Well, panel space has become less available and you are seeing fewer sailplanes with panel or glare-shield mounted 2.25 Airpath C2xxx or PAI-700 aircraft specific compasses.

Anyone have a "point" to an off panel compass that might meet FAA scrunity? Unfortunately the Cook compass manufactured by COBB-SLATER Instruments Co. Ltd is no longer available. http://compassmuseum.com/aero/aero.htm#COOK

Probably, a magnetic compass is the last instrument used by a competition pilot. Most competition sailplanes have 3 or more separate GPS engines and it is very simple to have them on independent battery sources. What would be the "penalty" if your sailplane failed a FAA "courtesy" ramp inspection because it lacked a magnetic compass?

Does a F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter has a magnetic compass?

I've seen a glider with the compass mounted in the upper inside part of the leg well.

Good point...most flight manuals do not stipulate WHERE the compass needs to be mounted.

Thanks F1 for the point to the SIRS Navigator. A good PZL KI-13A compass is almost impossible to locate.

A non-icing turn and bank is one that is electrically driven or powered by a vacuum pump instead of an external venturi. Walk around a small airport and you're almost certain to see older light aircraft with large external venturis used to drive the gyros. Look at enough old pictures of gliders and you'll even see them there on occasion. The drawback of using a venturi to drive blind flying instruments in the clouds should be pretty obvious.

I've got an up to date correction card in my glider. Anyone ever try flying a compass course accurate to within 2 degrees in a sailplane? Good for a laugh.

Thanks! I'd forgotten about venturis. I've flown a bunch of them.

On 10/29/2015 12:34 PM, wrote:
A non-icing turn and bank is one that is electrically driven or powered by a vacuum pump instead of an external venturi. Walk around a small airport and you're almost certain to see older light aircraft with large external venturis used to drive the gyros. Look at enough old pictures of gliders and you'll even see them there on occasion. The drawback of using a venturi to drive blind flying instruments in the clouds should be pretty obvious.

I've got an up to date correction card in my glider. Anyone ever try flying a compass course accurate to within 2 degrees in a sailplane? Good for a laugh.

--
Dan, 5J

In article ,
, says...

A sailplane's Flight Manual usually requires a magnetic compass (or an
aviation compass)as minimum equipment. Well, panel space has become
less available and you are seeing fewer sailplanes with panel or
glare-shield mounted 2.25 Airpath C2xxx or PAI-700 aircraft specific
compasses.

Anyone have a "point" to an off panel compass that might meet FAA
scrunity? Unfortunately the Cook compass manufactured by COBB-SLATER
Instruments Co. Ltd is no longer available.
http://compassmuseum.com/aero/aero.htm#COOK

Probably, a magnetic compass is the last instrument used by a
competition pilot. Most competition sailplanes have 3 or more separate
GPS engines and it is very simple to have them on independent battery
sources. What would be the "penalty" if your sailplane failed a FAA
"courtesy" ramp inspection because it lacked a magnetic compass?

Does a F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter has a magnetic compass?

I'm sure it does, but it'll be an electrical one - that is, one using a
magnetometer.

Makes me wonder, how would such a, cheap but obviously not FAA approved
device go, for gliders...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=arduino%20magnetometer&t=lm

--
Duncan.

On Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at 10:32:51 AM UTC-4, wrote:
A sailplane's Flight Manual usually requires a magnetic compass (or an aviation compass)as minimum equipment. Well, panel space has become less available and you are seeing fewer sailplanes with panel or glare-shield mounted 2.25 Airpath C2xxx or PAI-700 aircraft specific compasses.

Grob Astir CS does not require as minimum equipment.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/yjlrf96sbf...%20PM.png?dl=0

Grob Astir CS does not require as minimum equipment.

It's not in the flight manual but it is in the F.A.A. type certificate G33EU under required equipment.