P8 Compass and Directional Gyro

[Charly_Owl]

Hi gents,

 

Would anyone be so kind as to explain to me how we must use the P8 compass to set the Directional Gyro? I'm not quite sure I can read the P8 correctly and little to no information is available in the flight manual regarding its operation.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Chuck

[some1]

Right now the P8 is not correct: https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=179030

[flyco]

The official way to set the DI to the correct magnetic heading is as follows: Turn the compass rose (the outer ring with the figures on it) until the parallel yellow lines on it align with the white lines on the compass needle within the instrument. Then read off the magnetic heading from the lubber line, which should be engraved on the far side of the compass - pointing to the aircraft's nose. In the DCS version, this lubber line appears to have been omitted, but it is easy enough to estimate it. This heading should then be set on the DI.

 

For accuracy, the aircraft must be flown straight and level in unaccelerated flight while the compass settles - good luck with that. Also bear in mode that the DI will drift with time, and should be updated every 10-15 minutes or so.

 

I learned to fly on a Chipmunk in the 1960's, and we used an identical set up. Fiddly but certainly useable, even for relative beginners. However, the best method of retaining orientation is to use the sun, certainly for the initial orientation - then use the compass to set up the DI. In a dog-fight or zeros always be aware of where the sun is so that you do not drift too far over 'enemy lines'.

[Sokol1_br]

I link a tutorial for compass and DG use there (have not see this topic before): https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=179287

 

BTW - Mk. IX use P11 (has reference 4 lines, P8 is 2).

Edited December 19, 2016 by Sokol1_br