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Aviator90 Episode 5
[music]
Man: [0:31] Welcome back to another masterful episode of Aviator 90 from Angle of
Attack. [0:37] All right, so we're nowhere near masterful. All the same, let's move on.
Last episode, we discussed trim and its importance for stable and smooth flight.
[0:47] Before we jump in the cockpit and take this bad boy for a spin, I'd like to introduce
you to the cockpit and give you a brief overview of everything in it. We are going to go
from the top to the bottom, left to right, like we're reading a book.
[1:02] Lining the top of the instrument panel is the glare shield, which reduces the glare
from the sun and also helps encompass all of the instruments.
[1:11] On the left side of the instruments, we find what we call the basic six. These
instruments are what is used in basic instrument flight, as they give us all the indications
we need to fly correctly, even when we can't see outside.
[1:27] Top left is the airspeed indicator. We'll go over the many aspects of this instrument
throughout the training. But keep in mind, for now, that there is more than meets the eye.
[1:36] To the right of the airspeed indicator is the attitude indicator. This indicator is
central to everything we do and the most import of all the instruments. Here we can see
the relative position the aircraft is in, in comparison to the horizon and sky. And we also
see the bank indications.
[1:55] Top right on the basic six is the altimeter. This instrument shows us our altitude
above mean sea level, MSL, in feet. The small hand is for thousand of feet and the longer
hand is for hundreds of feet.
[2:11] Bottom left on the basic six is the turn coordinator. This instrument gives us
indications to coordinate turns as well as indications for two minute turns. More on that a
bit later.
[2:24] To the right of the turn coordinator is the heading indicator. Unlike the magnetic
compass this heading indicator is much easier to use and doesn't have the degree of errors
compared to that of the magnetic compass.
[2:37] Last but not least, is the vertical speed indicator. This indicator let's us know how
many feet we are climbing or descending, in feet per minute.
[2:48] That does it for the basic six.
[2:50] Now just to the right of the basic six is the VOR and ADF instruments, top and
bottom. We'll use these instruments for cross country navigation, as you'll see later.

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[3:00] Now looking in the middle of the panel, you can now find the radio stack. Starting
from the top we have the VHF radios or coms, ADF tuner and the transponder.
[3:11] The VHF radio allows us to communicate with air traffic control, ATC, and other
aircraft. This is used often. You'll learn how to communicate well through Aviator 90.
[3:23] The ADF is simply tuned here. Not much else to be said about that right now.
[3:28] Last but not least is the transponder. This instrument is used to ping our position
and altitude to air traffic control.
[3:37] When we are under control, we'll give a squawk code, as it's called, to place here.
This is a four number code that is unique to our aircraft.
[3:48] Now moving along the radio panel we find the RPM indicator or tachometer. This
shows how much power the engine is producing. You'll certainly see where this comes in
handy later. But for now just know that you must not go over the red line. You can be
right on it, but do not go over.
[4:06] Next, top right on the panel, is the amperes that indicates how much juice the
battery is charging or discharging.
[4:14] Moving down to the bottom of the panel in this area, we'll break it up according to
this line.
[4:21] The parking break is located here, used when parked or running up. Pull and
depress the brakes and it will set.
[4:30] Oil temp and oil pressure are next and should be kept in the green values when
above 10, 000 RPM.
[4:37] Left and right fuel quantity indicators are seen here. Now one thing I should say at
this time is to never trust these. Always, always do your fuel planning manually. These
are for verification purposes only.
[4:51] Carpeat is located here and we'll actually talk about that a bit later as well.
[4:56] The throttle is located here, which is the primary control for engine power.
[5:01] Next to the throttle is the mixture. This mixture controls the fuel. This must be
adjusted, depending on altitude, so we are getting the most efficient fuel burn out of the
current situation we're in.
[5:14] Flap controls are located here and they have different detents, so they are easy to
put down and pull up.
[5:21] Cabin air and cabin heat are located here for comfort. But lucky you, flight sim
doesn't model the freezing temperatures or humid heat that is often experienced as a pilot.

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[5:31] So moving down to the bottom part of the panel now, we come to the primer. This
is used for engine start.
[5:39] The master switch is located here. It lives up to its name. It is the master of all
power to the aircrafts systems. Without this, you wouldn't have electronics.
[5:51] The magneto and start switch is located here.
[5:55] In this area we will find the lights for the aircraft, both interior and exterior. We'll
be learning when it's appropriate to use these different lights at a later time.
[6:05] The trim wheel comes next, which you have seen in the last section, so we won't
rehash that now.
[6:12] Circuit breakers are located here for abnormal and emergency circumstances.
[6:19] So as you can see there's still a lot to learn. By getting in the cockpit and looking at
all the different switches and controls within our reach, it's even more important to learn
what these things do and how to operate them.
[6:32] So with that said, don't be too overwhelmed on how to use each and every switch
for now. Let's take one thing at a time. Once we actually get this thing moving things will
come to you much easier.
[6:43] For now, I'd like to congratulate you on completing the intro to flight section. It's
now time to move onto the basics of flight section, where we'll finally get up in the air.
[6:53] Until next time throttle on.
Transcription by CastingWords