Learn About an Aircraft, Part 1

First we'll cover panel instruments and how they're used.

• Top left: The "Airspeed Indicator" shows aircraft airspeed, in knots. (nautical miles) per hour. It also displays the airspeed limitations in white, green, yellow, and red arcs.

• Top center: The "Artificial Horizon" Has a small aircraft symbol that depicts the aircraft required attitude,for level flight, and shows whether the aircraft is climbing or descending, as well as the angle of bank.

• Top right: The "Altimeter" a three hand clock type instrument that shows altitude of the aircraft in feet MSL, (feet above mean sea level).

• Lower left: The "Turn and Bank Indicator" is a dual instrument which tells your angle of bank and whether you are in a coordinated turn. Sometimes called the "Needle Ball". For straight and level flight, keep the wings level and the ball centered.

• Lower center:The "Heading Indicator". A stable gyro instrument that shows the aircraft's current compass heading. Use the Control Wheel to keep the aircraft on the desired heading.

• Lower right: The "Vertical Speed Indicator" which tells how fast you are losing or gaining altitude, in feet per minute. Keep this instrument at zero to maintain level flight.