Instrument Interpretation

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Read six flight instruments and choose the one statement that correctly describes the aircraft. Practise altitude, airspeed, attitude, vertical speed, heading and turn interpretation.

◷  3-minute rounds
Instrument Interpretation game in progress

How to play

  1. Read the instrument panel

    Top row: altimeter, attitude indicator and airspeed. Bottom row: vertical speed, heading and turn indicator. The panel stays still until you answer.

  2. Compare the readings

    On the altimeter, the short hand indicates thousands of feet and the long hand hundreds. Blue is sky and brown is ground. The vertical-speed needle points up for climb and down for descent; zero is level.

  3. Choose one statement

    Select the one description with the correct speed, turn direction, heading, climb or descent, and altitude. Compass heading is at the top of the dial. The white needle shows turn direction. The dot below shows turn rate: left is slow, centre standard and right fast. A new question appears immediately after each answer.

Scoring

Correct answers earn 100 points at Beginner, 150 at Intermediate and 200 at Advanced. Incorrect answers deduct half that reward: 50, 75 or 100 points. Answer as many questions as you can in three minutes. Scores can go below zero.

Tips

  • Check speed and altitude first, then heading and climb or descent.
  • Pitch and vertical speed are separate readings: a nose-up attitude does not always mean a climb.
  • The attitude indicator and turn needle agree: a left bank means a left turn, a right bank a right turn, and wings level means maintaining direction.
  • At Advanced, check the dot below the turn needle: left is slow, centre standard and right fast.

Unlocking levels

Beginner is available from the start. Reach each target in one completed round at the previous level.

  • Intermediate: score 2,000 in Beginner.
  • Advanced: score 3,500 in Intermediate.

Background knowledge

The following articles will give you foundational knowledge relevant to this activity:

Skills Practiced

  • Instrument reading
  • Visual scanning
  • Interpreting pitch and bank
  • Compass headings
  • Comparing several readings
  • Accurate decisions under time pressure

Aviation Aptitudes

  • Visual & Auditory Perception40% weighting
  • Spatial Reasoning35% weighting
  • Central Information Processing25% weighting