Avionics MCQs – Vertical & Heading References
1 - Question
How to determine the true vertical reference?
a) Differentiating
b) Time average of apparent vertical
c) Integration
d) Sum of all the apparent vertical
View Answer
Explanation: The simplest approach to the determination of the true vertical is to time-average the direction of the apparent vertical(vector sum of gravity and vehicle acceleration).
2 - Question
When is the gyro interrupted in erection cutoff method?
a) Deviation is large
b) Deviation is low
c) Never interrupted
d) Always interrupted
View Answer
Explanation: The error caused in the vertical referencing can be rectified by introducing nonlinearities. One such method is the erection cutoff where the precession of the gyroscope is interrupted when a large deflection is sensed.
3 - Question
Which one of the following is the basic vertical reference in all forms of heading and attitude devices?
a) Line perpendicular to artificial horizon
b) Earth’s gravitational field
c) Line perpendicular to actual horizon
d) Earth’s magnetic field
View Answer
Explanation: The basic vertical reference in all forms of heading and attitude reference devices is the Earth’s gravitational field. The direction of Earth’s gravitational field can be sensed with great accuracy in stationary systems. However, when the platform moves, all the instruments indicate the vector sum vehicle acceleration and local gravity.
4 - Question
The error that occurs due to the rotation of Earth as well as the aircraft’s own motion is called as ______
a) Asymmetrical error
b) Precession rate error
c) Rate compensation error
d) Standoff constant error
View Answer
Explanation: A stand off constant error exists since the direction of the local vertical changes as a result of both the rotation of the Earth and the aircraft’s own motion around the Earth.
5 - Question
A special mode for initial leveling is needed when using erection cutoff mode.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: When erection cutoff is used, there is a need for a special mode of operation that provides initial leveling, because no precession rate would exist in the presence of large initial tilt.
6 - Question
What can be done to reduce to avoid poor acceleration error averaging?
a) Use higher order leveling loop
b) Use lowest order leveling loop
c) Use switch gravity sensors
d) Use differential leveling loop
View Answer
Explanation: The stand off error depends upon the gravity sensors switch’s dead and gives poor acceleration errors. Significant improvement can be obtained in the averaging vertical reference by using a high order leveling loop.
7 - Question
The relative acceleration of a vehicle moving with respect to a rotating Earth can be divided into three parts.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: When a vehicle moves at a velocity relative to the rotating Earth, the inertial acceleration can be divided into three parts: Acceleration relative to the surface of Earth, Coriolis acceleration caused by rotation of Earth, and a correction that depends on the coordinate frame in which the gyro is constrained.
8 - Question
Inertial heading references are better than a magnetic compass.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The best airborne heading references are the inertial navigators. Less expensive, smaller and less accurate references are those that depend on the Earth’s magnetic field, those that depend on the use of gyroscopes to retain a preset azimuth, and those that use subinertial gyros to maintain a three axis reference.
9 - Question
Which of the following is not a unit of the magnetic field?
a) Gamma
b) Gauss
c) Tesla
d) Maxwell
View Answer
Explanation: The magnetic fields B are measured in Gauss and Tesla(104 Gauss). In geomagnetism, Units of “Gamma”(10-5 )are used.
10 - Question
What is the orientation of the Earth’s magnetic axis with respect to its spin axis?
a) 2°
b) 0°
c) 11°
d) 24°
View Answer
Explanation: The Earth’s magnetic field is produced by a bar magnet oriented 11°away from the spin axis and passing within a hundred kilometers of its center.
11 - Question
Which of the following is not the angle between the horizontal component of B and true north?
a) Magnetic declination
b) Magnetic variation
c) Dip angle
d) Magvar
View Answer
Explanation: The magnetic declination, also called the magnetic variation or magvar, is the angle between the horizontal component of B and true north. Navigators use ‘magvar’ in order not to confuse astronomical declination with magnetic declination.
12 - Question
Why does magvar have diurnal change?
a) Magnetic pole migration
b) Static buildup error
c) Sensitivity of the instruments
d) Variation in aircraft magnetic effects
View Answer
Explanation: Magvar has a diurnal change, a long term change due to the migration of magnetic poles, and random changes because of magnetic storms. The magnitude of the magnetic field changes about 0.5% per year.
13 - Question
Which of the following is used to sense aircraft magnetic fields?
a) Magnetic compass
b) Airborne magnetometer
c) Accelerometer
d) Gyroscope
View Answer
Explanation: Aircraft have magnetic fields that add to the Earth’s field and are sensed by the airborne magnetometers. The induced error, called deviation, can be 10° or more.
14 - Question
Magnetic compass is also called as whiskey compass.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: The simplest compasses measure the orientation of the nearly free permanent magnet attached to a buoyant body floating in a liquid. Since the liquid is usually alcohol, it is also called as whisky compass.