Instruments and Navigation Systems Integration
Basic instruments
Understand pitot-static and gyroscopic instruments: ASI, altimeter, VSI, attitude indicator, heading indicator and turn coordinator. Know the errors: position error, compressibility, density, instrument and manoeuvre errors. Trap: confusing indicated, calibrated, equivalent and true airspeed, and pressure versus density altitude.
Gyroscopics
Know rigidity and precession, and how the artificial horizon and directional gyro are driven (vacuum or electric). Understand real versus apparent wander and how to correct the heading indicator.
Integration with navigation
Understand how air data computers, IRS/INS and GNSS feed the FMS, and the difference between baro-inertial and GNSS altitude. Know the meaning of RAIM, FDE and the navigation performance required (RNP/RNAV).
Failure modes
Know what happens when the pitot ices over or the static port blocks: the ASI behaves like an altimeter with a blocked pitot, and the altimeter freezes with a blocked static. Know the standby instruments.
Rule of thumb: Blocked pitot → ASI reads like an altimeter in climb/descent; blocked static → ASI over-reads in climb and under-reads in descent.