IR written Primary/Secondary instrument questions

I'm studying for my written and having an awful time with the
questions dealing with primary/secondary instruments for
pitch/bank/power during various phases of flight. The distinctions
appear to be senseless hair splitting, and I'm getting them mostly
wrong in the practice tests. Some of this is due to my study
materials explaining which is the right answer, but not really *why*.
Is there any way to logically learn this in a way I have a prayer of
remembering, or do I just have to memorize the matrix?

Thanks,
Jeremy

In article ,
(Jeremy) wrote:

I'm studying for my written and having an awful time with the
questions dealing with primary/secondary instruments for
pitch/bank/power during various phases of flight. The distinctions
appear to be senseless hair splitting, and I'm getting them mostly
wrong in the practice tests. Some of this is due to my study
materials explaining which is the right answer, but not really *why*.
Is there any way to logically learn this in a way I have a prayer of
remembering, or do I just have to memorize the matrix?

Thanks,
Jeremy

Memorize the matrix and move on. The important thing is to understand
what data each instrument is giving you, how the various instruments
inter-relate, and what to expect to see on each one for a given control
change.

At least that's my personal opinion. I'm sure you will get responses
which say that primary/secondary is the only way to fly. They're no
more right or wrong than I am.

The ultimate goal is to keep the dirty side down and find the runway.
If primary/secondary helps you achieve that goal, it's a useful tool.
If not, then don't get hung up on it.

I'll try. The primary instrument is the needle/indicator that you don't want
to move. For example, using P/S in a level turn, you don't want the
altimeter needle to move...it is primary pitch; you want to maintain a
standard rate turn, with the indicator not moving from the index, so the
turn coordinator is primary bank. The airspeed indicator is primary pitch
only when in a constant-speed situation (climb/descent). The attitude
indicator is primary ONLY when transitioning from one stable situation to
another...for example, to enter a constant speed climb from level flight you
initially establish pitch attitude by reference to the attitude indicator,
but once you are in the climb the airspeed becomes primary pitch. To level
off it is back to the A/I until the altimeter needle stops moving, at which
time the altimeter becomes primary pitch again.

The FAA loves primary/secondary. Hardly anyone else does, and your
instructor should teach you to meld both systems together.

Bob Gardner


I've got a dandy table on page 2-11 of THE COMPLETE ADVANCED PILOT.

Bob Gardner

"Jeremy" wrote in message
om...
I'm studying for my written and having an awful time with the
questions dealing with primary/secondary instruments for
pitch/bank/power during various phases of flight. The distinctions
appear to be senseless hair splitting, and I'm getting them mostly
wrong in the practice tests. Some of this is due to my study
materials explaining which is the right answer, but not really *why*.
Is there any way to logically learn this in a way I have a prayer of
remembering, or do I just have to memorize the matrix?

Thanks,
Jeremy

I'm[...] having an awful time with the
questions dealing with primary/secondary instruments for
pitch/bank/power during various phases of flight. The distinctions
appear to be senseless hair splitting...

In saying X is primary for Y, try thinking just WHY you are controlling Y in
that phase of flight. For example, in level flight, why are you controlling
pitch? The object of level flight is to maintain a constant altitude, so
although pitch deviations will turn into altitude and airspeed deviations, it
is constant altitude you are attempting to maintain. So, the altimiter would
be "primary" for pitch.

In a climb, you are likely to want a constant airspeed and rate of climb. The
altitude will be changing (it better be!), and the VSI lags, so it's hard to
use either as a primary instrument. Airpseed responds right away to pitch
deviations, so it's primary. Hold airspeed steady (once you know what it
should be) and your climb will be fine.

Entering a climb, what would you do? You could use the airspeed as a primary
pitch instrument, but you are not (yet) trying to hold a steady airspeed. The
attitude indicator is primary, because it gives a direct and rapid readout of
the pitch attitude you want. The desired result of your control input when
entering a climb is a certain pitch attitude. The attitude indicator gives you
that directly. Your airspeed bleeds off and your altitude begins to
increase...

Once you are climbing, the desired result is a constant airspeed (while you
climb, supported by the altimiter).

Leveling off is like entering a climb, in reverse. Set the desired (level)
pitch attitude, and when things settle in...

(and you are no longer climbing or accelerating) hold a constant altitude.

Does this help? You still need the supporting instruments (for example, in a
climb, check the altimeter to ensure that you are in fact climbing!) but the
instrument that gives you the most direct reading of the most immediate desired
result of a control input is what you use as a primary instrument.

Try that thinking on the other areas of flight control and see if it doesn't
help you understand.

Jose

--
(for Email, make the obvious changes in my address)

Jeremy
I had the same problem also, I would get them wrong on the tests untill
stopped thinking about the answers and thought about how I actually fly.
picture what they are asking, then what you really do when flying and you
will probably get it right.


Jeremy wrote:

I'm studying for my written and having an awful time with the
questions dealing with primary/secondary instruments for
pitch/bank/power during various phases of flight. The distinctions
appear to be senseless hair splitting, and I'm getting them mostly
wrong in the practice tests. Some of this is due to my study
materials explaining which is the right answer, but not really *why*.
Is there any way to logically learn this in a way I have a prayer of
remembering, or do I just have to memorize the matrix?

Thanks,
Jeremy

Bob Gardner ) wrote:

I'll try. The primary instrument is the needle/indicator that you don't
want to move.
snip

Wow, I wish I had you for an instrument instructor. As one who also
struggled with this matrix, I would have breezed right through this had I
thought of it in the way you explained.

--
Peter












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I would have breezed right through this had I thought of it in the
way you explained.

You also would have had no problem if your instructor had taught you
the control/performance methodology. The best way to deal with
complexity is to choose a simpler way. ;-)

The problem, Greg, is that examiners are told in standardization class to
ask about P/S on orals. Gripes the hell out of most of them because they
don't believe it either. Most instrument pilots end up using a combination,
or "whatever works."

Bob Gardner

"Greg Esres" wrote in message
...
I would have breezed right through this had I thought of it in the
way you explained.

You also would have had no problem if your instructor had taught you
the control/performance methodology. The best way to deal with
complexity is to choose a simpler way. ;-)

The problem, Greg, is that examiners are told in standardization
class to ask about P/S on orals. Gripes the hell out of most of them
because they don't believe it either. Most instrument pilots end up
using a combination, or "whatever works."

The current PTS explicitly allows EITHER control/performance or
primary/supporting, both on the instrument and instrument instructor
checkrides.

Thanks for the advice everyone, it helped!

"Jeff" wrote in message
...
Jeremy
I had the same problem also, I would get them wrong on the tests untill
stopped thinking about the answers and thought about how I actually fly.
picture what they are asking, then what you really do when flying and you
will probably get it right.


Jeremy wrote:

I'm studying for my written and having an awful time with the
questions dealing with primary/secondary instruments for
pitch/bank/power during various phases of flight. The distinctions
appear to be senseless hair splitting, and I'm getting them mostly
wrong in the practice tests. Some of this is due to my study
materials explaining which is the right answer, but not really *why*.
Is there any way to logically learn this in a way I have a prayer of
remembering, or do I just have to memorize the matrix?

Thanks,
Jeremy