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The Wiskey Compass
By Jared Christensen, Installation Supervisor
With all the high tech devices today in aviation, it's easy to overlook small unpretentious ones, such as the faithful old "whiskey compass". Though most aircraft manufacturers' annual /100 hr. inspections include a sign-off for the compass, it often winds up as a forgotten, banged up, even illegible instrument that simply occupies valuable chart space on the glareshield.
The instrument: A sealed outer case and a pivot assembly that supports a floating compass card. Attached to the card are two or more bar magnets that orient the card to the north. The card can tilt up to 18 degrees. The case is filled with acid-free kerosene (sorry, no whiskey) that dampens oscillations and lubricates the pivot assembly. Besides providing a heading indication, instrument texts suggest the compass can help you maintain wings-level merely by keeping it from turning. That's so, but it's not as simple as it sounds. To start with, it has to work right.
Next issue: The Problems, The Rules, The Solution. Stay Tuned.
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