What is compass swing?

What is compass swing?

Filters. (nautical) The process of swinging and compensating a ship or aircraft compass by determining and reducing the deviation coefficients and recording the residual deviations; now done by computer. noun.

How often should you do a compass swing?

The aircraft compass should be swung every 3 years.

How often is a compass swing required in Canada?

A compass swing must be performed on the following occasions: (1) When the accuracy of the compass is suspected. (2) After any cockpit modification or major replacement involving ferrous metal. (3) Whenever a compass has been subjected to a shock; for example, after a hard landing or turbulence.

Why is compass swing required?

As you already know, this so-called swinging the compass procedure is necessary to determine how to compensate the compass in the event that its location in the cockpit is affected by the proximity of steel or iron components or by the effects of current flowing in nearby electrical circuits.

What condition will make two compass cards necessary?

If the compass readings are not identical, the mechanic should make up two separate compass correction cards—one with all the equipment on and one with the equipment off.

What fluid is in a compass?

Modern compasses usually use a magnetized needle or dial inside a capsule completely filled with a liquid (lamp oil, mineral oil, white spirits, purified kerosene, or ethyl alcohol are common).

What fluid is in aircraft compass?

Some compasses are field-refillable, but save the Jack Daniel’s for your own consumption. Alcohol (hence the whiskey compass designation) was used at one time, but now kerosene or aliphatic naphtha is used. The correct fluid is MIL-C-5020A.

What is the difference between a ” compass swing ” and a ” check swing “?

Based upon the terminology I have heard over the years, a compass swing is the alignment of the compass, normally using a compass rose painted on a surface. The compass is adjusted and a deviation card is created for cardinal points on the compass. A check swing,…

What are the procedures for swinging the compass?

This advisory circular (AC) describes procedures for calibrating an aircraft magnetic compass to minimize the effect of aircraft-induced magnetic fields. These procedures are often referred to as “swinging the compass” or a “compass swing.” This AC is not mandatory and does not constitute a regulation.

How is the compass swing effected on an aircraft?

The compass swing is normally effected by placing the aircraft on various magnetic head- ings and comparing the deviations with those on the deviation cards. Refer to CFR14, 23.1327, 14 CFR 23.1547, and the equipment or aircraft manufacturer’s manual.

Who is the manufacturer of the compass swing?

Manufactured by Capital Avionics and distributed by Avionics International, the CA-320 digital compass system can help take some of the headaches out of performing compass swings. The CA-320 consists of two components.