Acronyms

I apologize for my lack of posting lately. College, as it were, just gets busier as the semester goes on. However, I realize that there are those out there (namely family members) that check my blog faithfully and because of that I have decided to make it a goal to post at least once a week.

Instrument is going well, although a combination of bad weather and health have kept me from progressing as fast as I would like. I am, however, confident that I will obtain my rating within the next few weeks. Focus and determination is what is what is needed.

Before I became a pilot, I didn't think much of acronyms. To me they were just silly words that meant the person was too lazy to actually say the phrase. But in aviation, acronyms are almost essential to safety and smooth function of the flight. Acronyms in aviation serve there purpose as memorized checklists. While the same information is on a physical checklist, it speeds up the flight and reduces pilot load if you have that checklist memorized. I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR THE MEMORIZATION OF ALL CHECKLIST MATERIAL. This is dangerous, as you might miss something vital. But there are certain elements that can be memorized using a helpful acronym.

One simple example that most pilots use is the GUMPC check. This stands for Gas (fuel selector valve set to both), Undercarriage (In the down and locked position, verifying you have a wheel on either side), Mixture (rich), Prop (spinning), Carburetor heat (on). This is used on the downwind leg to final, or at the final approach fix to final in instrument. It means the pilot can quickly have his descent checklist done without having to fumble with a card while concentrating on his approach.

My favorite by far though is the three series of acronyms used to verify that you can fly instrument. TOMATO FLAMES, FLAPS, and GRABCARD. TOMATO FLAMES is used to verify that you can fly VFR in day conditions, TOMATO FLAMES + FLAPS is used to verify that you can fly VFR night. TOMATO FLAMES+ FLAPS + GRABCARD verifies you can fly in IMC conditions (assuming you are instrument rated that is).
Here we go:

T achometer
O oil pressure gauge
M anifold pressure gauge for each atmosphere engine
A irspeed indicator
T emperature gauge for each liquid cooled engine
O il temperature gauge

F uel level gauge
L anding gear position indicator
A ltimeter
M agnetic heading indicator
E mergency locator transmitter (ELT)
S eat belts

F uses
L anding lights
A nticollision lamps
P position indicator lamps
S ource of power

G - Generator or alternator
R - Radios for navigation (ADF/VOR/GPS...)
A - Attitude Indicator
B - Ball (inclinometer)
C - Clock
A - Altimeter (sensitive)
R - Rate of Turn (or turn & slip)
D - Directional Gyro (Heading Indicator)
*another D can be added for DME or RNAV above FL240

And there you have it. Other acronyms include AROW (used to verify aircraft documents are in order), AAVIATE (verify the aircraft has had proper maintenance and inspections), UNOS (North/South Turning Error with magnetic compass), ANDS (acceleration error with magnetic compass).

I hope this has satisfied a small portion of the postings that have been lacking. Until next week! (hopefully!)