CAA NZ AME Instruments study plan

CAA NZ AME Instruments · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Instruments

Map the full Instruments syllabus into a one-page index of subsystems: pitot-static, gyroscopic, magnetic, engine indication, and electrical/electronic display systems
Define and write out the operating principle of each pressure instrument (ASI, altimeter, VSI) from first principles without notes
Derive the relationship between dynamic pressure and airspeed, and state the calibration assumptions behind the ASI scale
List the standard pitot-static leak-test tolerances and describe the procedure sequence for a static system test

A hand-drawn pitot-static system schematic with every instrument, line, drain, and static source labelled, plus a one-page tolerance table

Week 2

Explain rigidity in space and precession for a spinning rotor, and apply both to a real gyro instrument
Compare the construction and error sources of an attitude indicator versus a heading indicator
Describe erection mechanisms and apparent wander, and quantify the effect of latitude on apparent drift
Trace the electrical supply, caging, and failure-flag logic for a typical gyro instrument panel

A written comparison table of at least four gyroscopic instruments covering principle, errors, power source, and failure indication

Week 3

Describe the earth's magnetic field components and how a direct-reading compass uses them
Analyse turning error, acceleration error, and dip in both hemispheres and predict the needle's behaviour in a stated turn
Explain flux-valve and remote-compass slaving, including the role of the slaving amplifier and annunciator
State the compass swing procedure and the correction-card content an engineer must verify

A worked set of six compass-error scenarios with predicted needle deflection and a completed sample deviation card

Week 4

Describe the sensing principles used for RPM, manifold pressure, fuel flow, temperature, and pressure in engine indication systems
Explain how a thermocouple and a resistance thermometer differ in principle and in the wiring precautions each demands
Trace signal paths from sensor to indicator for both analogue and digital engine display systems
Identify the failure modes that produce misleading but plausible engine indications

A sensor-to-indicator block diagram for a multi-engine display system with at least eight parameters mapped

Week 5

Explain the operation of air-data computers and solid-state AHRS, including how they replace or supplement mechanical instruments
Describe the pitot-static inputs, temperature inputs, and correction algorithms an air-data computer relies on
Compare EFIS display symbology and the meaning of red, amber, and green indications in a stated failure
State the inspection and functional-check requirements for electronic displays and their backup instruments

A two-page summary contrasting a conventional six-pack panel with a glass cockpit, including redundancy and failure-downgrade paths

Week 6

Assemble a consolidated error and limitation list for every instrument family covered so far
Diagnose ten written fault scenarios, naming the most probable cause and the confirming test for each
State the maintenance documentation, calibration interval, and release-to-service requirements for instrument systems
Explain how instrument system defects interact with airworthiness and defect-reporting obligations

A fault-diagnosis log of ten scenarios with cause, confirming test, and rectification action for each

Week 7

Rehearse calculation-type questions: ASI position and instrument error, altitude correction, and gyro drift rate
Complete a timed set of at least forty mixed instrument questions and record the score
Re-study every topic where the timed set scored below seventy percent
Recite from memory the key numerical tolerances and limits for pitot-static and gyro systems

A timed mock-test score sheet with a written remediation list for each weak area

Week 8

Condense the entire syllabus into a single revision sheet of no more than four pages
Answer one full-length practice paper under exam conditions and self-mark against the syllabus
Close out every remaining remediation item from week seven and re-test each one
Rehearse the explanation of at least five instrument systems aloud as if briefing a colleague

A completed four-page revision sheet plus a final practice-paper score with all remediation items marked closed

Week 2: Can draw the pitot-static schematic from memory and state leak-test tolerances without reference

Week 4: Scores at least seventy percent on a self-made twenty-question quiz covering weeks one to three

Week 6: Correctly diagnoses at least eight of ten fault scenarios before checking the written answers

Week 8: Achieves a passing score on a full-length practice paper and has no open remediation items