AirDorrin - Partial Panel Procedures

The FAA is concerned about numerous fatal aircraft accidents involving spatial disorientation of instrument-rated pilots who have attempted to control and maneuver their aircraft in clouds with inoperative primary flight instruments (gyroscopic heading and/or attitude indicators) or loss of the primary electronic flight instruments display.

AREA OF OPERATION IV requires the evaluation of basic instrument flight maneuvers under both full-panel and references to backup primary flight instruments/electronic flight instrument displays. These maneuvers are described in detail in FAA-H-8083-15, Instrument Flying Handbook. Examiners should determine that the applicant demonstrates competency in either the PRIMARY and SUPPORTING or the CONTROL and PERFORMACE CONCEPT method of instrument flying. Either attitude instrument flying method is described in FAA-H-8083-15 and is recommended by the FAA because it requires specific knowledge and interpretation of each individual instrument during training.

The FAA has stressed that it is imperative for instrument pilots to acquire and maintain adequate instrument skills and that they be capable of performing instrument flight with the use of the backup systems installed in the aircraft. Many light aircraft operated in IMC are not equipped with dual, independent, gyroscopic heading and/or attitude indicators and in many cases are equipped with only a single-vacuum source. Technically advanced aircraft may be equipped with backup flight instruments or an additional electronic flight display that is not located directly in front of the pilot.

FROM THE PTS

TASK: APPROACH WITH LOSS OF PRIMARY FLIGHT INSTRUMENT INDICATORS: REFERENCES: 14 CFR part 61; FAA-H-8083-15; IAP.

Note: This approach shall count as one of the required nonprecision approaches.

Objective To determine that the applicant:

Exhibits adequate knowledge of the elements relating to recognizing if primary flight instruments are inaccurate or inoperative, and advise ATC or the examiner.
Advises ATC or examiner anytime that the aircraft is unable to comply with a clearance.
Demonstrates a nonprecision instrument approach without the use of the primary flight instrument using the objectives of the nonprecision approach TASK (AREA OF OPERATION VI, TASK A).

Training Procedures: Begin by developing fundamental skills controlling the airplane by reference to instruments.

Disable the attitude indicator: gain skills in using the remaining instruments to maintain control.
Disable the heading indicator as well and try those skills again.
Introduce timed turns and magnetic compass turns

Partial Panel Aircraft Control: If the airplane is under control, or you noticed the instrument failure(s) or you just recovered from an Unusual Attitude, use slow, smooth control inputs to maintain control.

Longitudinal Control (pitch) - the best indicator that you are not in level flight attitude, is the VSI, but remember the instrument lag -- you know which direction you are going, but not how fast until the VSI settles down (6 to 9 seconds). A secondary indicator is the Altimeter. Airspeed is the primary pitch control instrument, nose low - increasing; nose high - decreasing. Use the AS to control pitch during climbs and descents.

Lateral Control (turn/roll) - the TURN AND BANK indicator is the best instrument to tell you the wings are level. The Magnetic Compass (MC) is the secondary indicator. Yaw is also part of lateral control. The "Ball" in the TURN AND BANK tells you whether you are in coordinated flight. Do your best to always make coordinated turns.

TRIM THE AIRPLANE

fed 03-05-2006