ATPL 022 Instrumentation case studies
ATPL 022 Instrumentation · Put your knowledge to work in context.
ATPL 022 Instrumentation is one of the fourteen theoretical knowledge subjects in the EASA Airline Transport Pilot licence syllabus. It is aimed at aspiring professional pilots and integrated or modular ATPL students who need to understand how aircraft measure, present and use flight data. The subject sits at the boundary between physics and aircraft systems: it covers sensor principles, pitot-static air data, temperature and ice detection, gyroscopes and heading references, inertial and satellite navigation, automatic flight, electronic displays and alerting, engine and system monitoring, digital data buses, and the way systems degrade when something fails. Expect a mix of conceptual reasoning and practical interpretation: why a static port blockage gives a particular indication, what happens to a gyro during a coordinated turn, how an air data computer cross-checks sources, or what a degraded display means to the crew. The ATPL 022 Instrumentation case studies are 5 cases and about 3,120 words.
1IAS Rises in the Climb with Normal Altimeter and VSI
A light twin-jet is climbing from FL120 to FL240. The PF holds 250 KIAS and 1,800 ft/min; thrust and pitch are unchanged, and the FMS ground speed is steady at 410 kt.
662 words, about 3 min2Compass Errors on Take-off and Turn at 62°S
An aircraft is operating from an airport at 62°S. The active runway is 27 (magnetic), and the crew is cleared for take-off.
624 words, about 3 min3IRS-Only Navigation in RNP 10 Oceanic Airspace
A wide-body is 5 hours into an 11-hour Pacific crossing at FL350. Both FMCs show 'GPS PRIMARY LOST', followed by 'NAV ACCURACY LOW'.
614 words, about 3 min4Autopilot Failure During a CAT III Approach
An aircraft is conducting a CAT III ILS approach to runway 27 with RVR 250 m, fog, and wind calm. The aircraft is fail-operational and both autopilots are engaged; autothrust is in SPD mode.
611 words, about 3 min5Display Unit Failures and Reversion Before Dispatch
During pushback and engine start, the first officer's navigation display (ND 2) blanks. The EICAS shows 'ND 2 FAULT' and the captain's PFD and ND remain normal.
609 words, about 3 min