Thursday, September 10, 2009

Inertial reference unit IRU

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An inertial reference unit (IRU) is a type of inertial sensor which uses only gyroscopes to determine a moving aircraft’s or spacecraft’s change in angular direction (referred to as "delta-theta" or Δθ) over a period of time. Unlike the inertial measurement unit, IRUs are generally not equipped with accelerometers, which measure acceleration forces.[citation needed]

IRUs are used for attitude control and navigation of vehicles with relatively constant acceleration rates, such as geosynchronous satellites and deep space probes.

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Fluxgate compass

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A fluxgate inclinometer/compass

The basic fluxgate compass is a simple electromagnetic device that employs two or more small coils of wire around a core of highly permeable magnetic material, to directly sense the direction of the horizontal component of the earth's magnetic field. The advantages of this mechanism over a magnetic compass are that the reading is in electronic form and can be digitised and transmitted easily, displayed remotely, and used by an electronic autopilot for course correction.

To avoid inaccuracies created by the vertical component of the field, the fluxgate array must be kept as flat as possible by mounting it on gimbals or using a fluid suspension system. All the same, inertial errors are inevitable when the vessel is turning sharply or being tossed about by rough seas. To ensure directional readings that are adequately stable, marine fluxgate compasses always incorporate either fluid or electronic damping. An alternative is to use a 3-axis fluxgate magnetometer to provide a 3D flux vector, and the magnetic heading is derived from the flux on a plane perpendicular to gravity, thus providing immunity from pitching, and rolling.

Fluxgate compasses and gyros complement one another nicely. The fluxgate provides a directional reference that's stable over the long term, apart from changing magnetic disturbances, and the gyro is accurate over the short-term, even against acceleration and heeling effects. At high latitudes, where the earth's magnetic field dips downward toward the magnetic poles, the gyro data can be used to correct for roll-induced heading errors in the fluxgate output. It can also be used to correct for the roll and heel-induced errors that often plague fluxgate compasses installed on steel vessels.

See also

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Buying the Plane Tools That Are Needed

Buying the Plane Tools That Are Needed
By Caitlina Fuller Platinum Quality Author


Plane tools are necessary for pilots, airports, and airlines. The tools help to perform regular maintenance and even to fix current problems. Without the proper tools making even the smallest repairs can be difficult, if not impossible. When you have the right tools on hand suddenly taking care of the plane becomes a lot easier!

When consider plane tools that you might need as a plane owner you may want to consider getting a plane jack. Like cars, a plane needs to be jacked up to safely change tires and perform some maintenance on the wheels and wheel mechanisms. Plane jacks come in all shapes and sizes but every airplane should have one and every airport should have several on hand. Having a jack on board will ensure that if there is a problem with the plane, it can be more easily addressed, whether at the airport or somewhere in between airports.

Aircraft jacks are not the only tools that you will want to have on hand. Most pilots like to travel with their own bag of tools that are meant specifically for aircrafts. These tools usually include power tools that will ensure that you can take care of any needs. Some pilots who are mechanically savvy even keep items like spark plugs on hand so that way they can change out spark plugs if there is an issue. Anti vibration gloves are also nice to have on hand as these will allow you to grip any items that you are fixing even if the plane is running and things are vibrating.

A compressor should always be kept on hand at an airport as many tools to fix planes will require compression tools. This is because the planes vibrate and things often have to be tightened to such an extent that they cannot be removed by hand, lest they may fall apart during flight. Compression tools simply make the whole process of fixing and replacing things on an aircraft a lot easier!

Simple tools are needed such as drills, screw drivers, and even flash lights. These are things that many people might never think are needed on a plane, but they are. The simple things that need to be fixed will require these tools and having them on hand will mean that the problems can be taken care of as soon as they occur instead of waiting until they become worse and worse. These are the tools that are often kept in the pilot's tool bag. Every pilot has different preferences for the tools that they keep with them, some in relation to personal experience while others are related to the type of plane that is being flown.

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. Plane tools are necessary for pilots, airports, and airlines. The tools help to perform regular maintenance and even to fix current problems. When consider plane tools that you might need as a plane owner you may want to consider getting a plane jack.

Navigation instruments

Navigation instruments

Friday, August 21, 2009

Private Pilot Test Prep 2010: Study and Prepare for the Recreational and Private Airplane, Helicopter, Gyroplane, Glider, Balloon, Airship, Powered Pa

Private Pilot Test Prep 2010: Study and Prepare for the Recreational and Private Airplane, Helicopter, Gyroplane, Glider, Balloon, Airship, Powered Parachute, ... FAA Knowledge Exams (Test Prep series)

Private Pilot Test Prep 2010: Study and Prepare for the Recreational and Private Airplane, Helicopter, Gyroplane, Glider, Balloon, Airship, Powered Parachute, ... FAA Knowledge Exams (Test Prep series)
By Federal Aviation Administration

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Product Description

Applicants studying for the Private Pilot Knowledge Exam will find answers and explanations for every question in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exam database in this guide. All of the more than 900 questions from the exam are arranged by subject category and are accompanied by specific study material. Each question is followed by the answer, an explanation, and a reference and subject code for further study in FAA materials. Basic aerodynamics, engine operation, flight instruments, performance, radio navigation, and meteorology are among the subjects covered.

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  • Amazon Sales Rank: #32755 in Books
  • Published on: 2009-09-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 376 pages

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The Federal Aviation Administration is the government agency that oversees and regulates procedural standards for the aviation industry.