WEEK 6: INSTRUMENTS #10

Airline Prep

This week we have been studying Instruments and I have to admit, it wasn't the most interesting of topics. All this stuff on magnetism, gyroscopes etc can really drain you and it is a real challenge to keep your concentration past 2:30, but you have to push on through and stay on it the whole time.

Didn't miss out on pancake day

The last day of instruments did improve slightly due to the fact we were learning about the glass cockpit, auto pilot and other various systems used on the modern jets that we are eventually going to be flying.

Most the concepts are easier to grasp than the likes of POF and MET but I'm still not confident with a few areas and it's quite difficult trying to remember the various inputs and outputs of certain systems such as the FMS and IRS. It is more of a data base subject though so hopefully if I keep chipping away at it it'll come together and I'll remember more and more each time. I think I have a sim session with our instructor coming up this week where he will demonstrate a few things so I'm sure that will help visualize and understand a few more things.

I'm still waiting for this 'big click' that everyone keeps telling me will happen!!

Mum showing me how it's done

We've had four days off this weekend which is very nice and a great opportunity to catch up and go over everything we've done so far. Time very much needed! I've also taken this opportunity to go back home to sunny Sussex to see the family and get a change of scenery. I stopped off to see two of my best mates for dinner on the way back which was really great.

Dinner with my old friends

The next day I was back on the work and I tested my memory of AGK, which I hadn't done for a while. My highly experienced, ex RAF Grandad and I went to Brooklands museum to have a look at some cut away engines, propellers, aircraft components and instruments to try and take a bit of a more practical approach. It was really nice getting outside and it did clear a few things up for me, especially engines and I feel more confident on propellers too. The afternoon and evening was spent question banking though. There's still more to be done but I'm feeling reasonably ok with AGK at the moment, so I'll keep working and improving and hopefully it'll be "alright on the night" as they say.

Grandad & I by Concorde at Brooklands

VC-10 with slats deployed and high T-tail

Gutted I missed the era of this magnificent beast

Old fashioned cockpit and instruments (definitely prefer the glass cockpit)

Great cut away engine

Wing structure (ribs, spars, stringers)

Amazing moving model of a piston cylinder

Concorde's undercarriage (oleo strut, side stay, scissor link, boggie axle)

I'm dedicating a day to each subject covered so far which is extremely helpful. Do not be fooled by the term 'day off'!

Air law to look forward to next week.