^
I'll try to answer a few of these ...
Gyroscope Platform AS-339 Control Panel:
1.) Fast Erect Pushbutton - What does it do and when would it be used?
- Even slight G forces cause the gyroscope-driven ADI to become misaligned. The Fast Erect function just places the ADI straight and level. So, you should be flying straight and level while performing this operation so that the ADI and your aircraft's attitude are in synch.
7.) Synchronizer and Heading Set knob - What does it do, how do I use it, and is it supposed to be extremely sensitive near center? (i.e. one click of the knob does very little until near the correct position, at which point it often makes a massive change in relation to the HSI indicator of the + and o, as well as the indicated heading, which often changes by over 30 degrees with just one click when near center)
- Like the ADI, the HSI gets misaligned under G-forces. When the HSI is showing "O", turn the knob toward "O" until the "O" on the HSI moves off to the side and then recentre the knob. Do the reverse for "+". When you see equal parts "O" and "+" on the HSI, you have the correct magnetic reading. The HSI will actualy self correct after a while when in slaved mode (see below) but it takes a long time. Using the knob is a fast way to align it.
8.) Function Selector Switch - What do the various modes mean and when would they be used?
- DG stands for "degaussed" meaning your HSI is not slaved to the earth's magnetic field surrounding your aircraft. This would be useful if you want the HSI to read true heading instead of magnetic. Slaved means that the HSI is slaved to the magnetic field and, so, it will read magnetic heading once it's aligned properly.
Gyroscopic System TARSYN 333:
1.) Vertical Gyro Fast Erection - What does this switch do, when would I use it?
- Same idea as for Fast Erect Pushbutton on AS-339.
2.) TARSYN Operation Selector - What does selecting the directional gyro accomplish compared to selecting the compass? What must be done to use either of these options correctly?
-When it's set to compass, it means the HSI is slaved to the magnetic field. So, when the HSI is aligned, it should be reading magnetic heading and should be pretty close to your backup magnetic compass reading. When it is set to gyro, it is no longer slaved to the magnetic field. This would be useful if you want the HSI to read true heading instead of magnetic. Keep in mind that it can easily get misaligned under even mild G-forces.
I think the rest of the functions you mentioned aren't modelled.