Artificial Horizon?

[dresoccer4]

quick q: how do you get your artificial horizon straight and level before takeoff?

[Captain Orso]

You don't. The airframe is at an angle so you cannot put the wings indicators on the artificial horizon.

 

You also don't have to. If after take off you want to the the AH as close to perfect as possible you need to observer the vertical speed indicator (shows your rate of climb/descent), the yaw or slip indicator, and the turn or roll indicator. These instruments work on the inertial forces on the aircraft and if you are flying absolutely level and straight and true to flight direction, they will all be centered. Then you can cage and uncage the AH and it will be perfectly set.

 

Note however, that the AH is attached to a set of gyroscopes, which true to physics will tend to wander off their true indication after experiencing prolonged and extensive forces - if you circle and airfield, after the first 180° turn you may already see the AH being off 5° or so. If you fly straight and level for awhile this will correct itself, or you can do as above again.

 

If you have gone through any strong turns - like in combat - don't count on the AH being correct. ChecK V/S and Slip indicators if you are in a cloud or can otherwise not observe the horizon.

[Reflected]

Where’s the cage button tho?

[Q3ark]

51 minutes ago, Reflected said:

Where’s the cage button tho?

British AH didn’t have a cage button, they were designed to be self levelling after a period of straight and level flight. I tried to find out more online but couldn’t find any publications about it. It was designed as the 6A/1519 artificial horizon, maybe someone else can have more luck than me.

Edited September 24, 2021 by Q3ark

[scoobie]

No cage knob in the British AH Mk. IB and IC, they rely on self-erecting only. Trouble is, they don't seem to work like this in DCS. I'm talking warbirds. I'm not sure about American and German birds, I guess they're all the same in this respect, but I have checked only the Spit and the Mossie where it's particularly important because you can't do anything about your upset AH other than fly straight & level (no cage knob/ring).

Here's the topic both with the problem and a few publications (I gathered a few, I hope you'll find them interesting):

 

Edited September 24, 2021 by scoobie

[Captain Orso]

13 hours ago, Reflected said:

Where’s the cage button tho?

 

  What?! I didn't realize the Mossie doesn't have one. I'm just learning the Mossie and didn't realize it's not there. But I until I've looked behind the pilot's seat and under the wings, I'm not going to unequivocally state that there isn't one 

 

 

Don't ask me how long I looked for the fuel cocks before finding them, because you don't want to known... it was at least an hour  

[Enduro14]

https://aeroantique.com/products/gyro-horizon-indicator-mk-ic?variant=7647008227358

 

Ya think some work needs to be done on MK 1-c.  Before installation into aircraft it is uncaged via a Screw.  Should self level eventually.  Although the wording of above link almost makes it seem like you could cage it post install with that screw....  need to go to a museum and ask  but then again looking at the pics that silver screw on back i wonder if that is the Uncage screw.  If so ya no way in heck to get to that in flight LOL

Edited September 24, 2021 by Enduro14