Instrument Flight
Safety/Emergency Procedures
PITOT STATIC MALFUNCTIONS
If the entire pitot static system fails, you will lose the Mach/airspeed indicator and barometric altitude
readout on the ADI display and HUD. The VSI on the ADI display gets its information from the rate gyros
in the GINA. In addition the standby altimeter, airspeed indicator and VSI could be effected. Verify the
failure of any pitot static instrument by cross-checking indications with the other cockpit, if possible.
You can compensate for the loss of the airspeed indication by flying the equivalent AOA for climb, cruise,
descent, and landing (refer to the NATOPS Pocket Checklist for AOA/airspeed equivalents).
You have two ways to make up for the loss of the barometric altitude. First, you can use the radar
altimeter for height above ground up to 5,000 ft AGL. Second, you can use the cabin pressure altimeter
for altitude information up to 25,000 ft MSL if the cockpit has been depressurized. The cabin pressure
altimeter does not compensate for local barometric pressure and should only be considered accurate to
+/- 500 ft.
The procedure for dealing with a pitot static system failure is:
1. Check that PITOT HEAT is ON.
2. Compare instruments in both cockpits. Use AOA, the radar altimeter, and/or cabin pressure altimeter
to calculate the approximate airspeed and altitude.
3. Report the failure to ATC.
4. Maneuver to exit icing conditions (if applicable).
5. Remain VMC, if possible.
6. Join with wingman if possible.
MACH/AIRSPEED INDICATOR FAILURE
Use the standby airspeed indicator if the airspeed indication is blanked on the ADI display. If both the
airspeed indication and standby airspeed indicator fail, AOA must be used in place of airspeed. Consult
NATOPS for equivalent AOA for the T-45C in various flight conditions.
The procedure for dealing with a Mach/airspeed indicator failure is:
1. Check that PITOT HEAT is ON.
2. Check standby airspeed indicator.
3. Report the failure of all airspeed indications to ATC.
4. Fly AOA in place of airspeed.
5. Watch for indications of pitot static system problems.
6. Land as soon as practicable.
BAROMETRIC ALTITUDE FAILURE
You have two options to make up for the loss of barometric altitude.
First, you can use the radar altimeter for height above ground for altitudes up to 5,000 ft AGL. You must
add ground elevation to radar altitude to approximate mean sea level (MSL) altitudes.
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