CAA NZ AME Instruments study guide
CAA NZ AME Instruments · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Instruments paper sits inside the New Zealand Part 66 aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) licence system, which is administered by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) and published through its Engineering section at aviation.govt.nz. The CAA site lists a dedicated page for Part 66 AME licence syllabuses, alongside maintenance engineer licensing, recognition of foreign AME licences and type ratings for AMEL holders, so the Instruments subject is one syllabus module within a broader licensing framework rather than a stand-alone certificate. It is aimed at engineers seeking or extending an AME licence who need to demonstrate knowledge of aircraft instrument systems - typical study content covers pitot-static and pressure instruments, gyroscopic and magnetic heading references, temperature and engine indication, and the electrical and electronic sensing, signal transmission and display chains that link sensors to cockpit indications, together with the maintenance, testing and certification practices applied to them. Preparation should be built around the official syllabus document for the module, the applicable Civil Aviation Rules and advisory material, and the maintenance manuals and test procedures for the equipment you work on. Because CAA publishes the syllabus and licensing process itself, always confirm the current module content, examination arrangements and fees directly with the CAA before booking. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the CAA. Topics on this exam: Instruments. The CAA NZ AME Instruments study guide has 1 section and about 421 words.
01Instruments
This domain tests the AME's understanding of how aircraft instruments sense, transmit and display pressure, gyroscopic and engine parameters, and how maintenance and pre-flight checks detect errors. Expect pitot-static systems, gyros, magnetic compasses, engine indications and electronic displays. Pitot pressure is total pressure; the static port supplies ambient pressure. The ASI displays dynamic pressure (pitot minus static).
421 words, about 2 minMore study resources for CAA NZ AME Instruments
- Practice questionsIn a light-aircraft direct-reading magnetic compass, what is the purpose of the compensating magnets mounted in the compass housing?
- FlashcardsPitot pressure. Total (ram) pressure sensed at the forward-facing pitot tube; combined with static pressure it drives the airspeed indicator's capsule deflection.
- Cheat sheetPitot-static system: total pressure (pitot) feeds the airspeed indicator; static pressure feeds ASI, altimeter and VSI.
- Key termsPitot-static system. A set of externally mounted probes and lines that supply total pressure from a forward-facing pitot tube and static pressure from flush ports to the airspeed indicator, altimeter, and vertical speed indicator.
- Study planMap the full Instruments syllabus into a one-page index of subsystems: pitot-static, gyroscopic, magnetic, engine indication, and electrical/electronic display systems.
- Common mistakesCandidates memorise a short error list without building the distinction between errors built into the instrument, errors caused by airflow around the aircraft, and errors from where the static source sits; the terms overlap in casual reading, so they get merged.
- Exam-day guideBring the same form of identification you used when booking.