Adjusting an Artificial Horizon

[Rob Swain]

In an RV-6 the panel is not upright. It is tilted away from the pilot at 8 degrees.

This means that a 'normal' AI always shows a downward direction.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that they can be adjusted to compensate for this, but I don't remember reading how, or whether it can be accomplished by the end user or has to go to a repair shop for it to be done.

Any ideas, anyone, other than making a set of shims to mount the instrument at 8 degrees to the panel?

[tnowak]

The Falcon Gauge AH I have is fitted with an adjuster (knob!) which allows the minature aeroplane indicator to be moved up or down, therefore allowing for adjustment of pitch indication. Is yours not equipped with a similar feature?

Tony Nowak

[Rob Swain]

It does have that feature (don't they all?) and I set it properly for the cruise but it does mean that adjustment is almost all the way to the top
Also, the 'rolling' portion of the AI is never lined up with the outer ring so it cannot be effectively used for co-ordinating turns etc and I have to then rely solely on the turn co-ordinator for rate 1 turn measurement.
In an RV a rate 1 turn is a pretty rare ocurrence, normally chucking it on it's side when turning is the order of the day, so having a proper indication for rate 1 when needed is very useful.

I would like to have the instrument work 'properly' when in level flight.

[tnowak]

I am not an instrument expert but suspect a simple shim or packing plate at the top (or bottom) of the instrument will fix the issue. Aircarft Spruce sell angled mounts (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/i ... dmount.php) but is probably too much of an adjustment. Make something similar yourself?

Tony Nowak