Question

What are the four electromechanical devices retained while making an avionics update for old aircraft?

(a) Vertical speed indicator, airspeed indicator, artificial horizon and heading indicator

(b) Altimeter, airspeed indicator, artificial horizon and angle of attack indicator

(c) Altimeter, airspeed indicator, turns coordinator and heading indicator

(d) Altimeter, airspeed indicator, artificial horizon and heading indicator

The question was asked in semester exam.

Origin of the question is Head Down Display Technology topic in chapter Displays and Man-Machine Interaction of Avionics

Answer 1

The correct answer is (d) Altimeter, airspeed indicator, artificial horizon and heading indicator

To elaborate: Avionics update is one of the effective ways to extend the life of an aircraft. The technology is undergoing an exponential growth and is hence viable to use multifunctional CRT displays in places of mechanical dials. However, the basic T instruments, the altimeter, airspeed indicator, artificial horizon and heading indicator are retained because of their importance in flight control. In modern cockpits, even these are being replaced by solid-state devices with LCD display.