If instrument indications are inconsistent, what is the recommended procedure?

If instrument indications are inconsistent, what is the recommended procedure?

• A. Cross-check with standby instruments and other in-flight cues; verify sensor data and follow the POH emergency or abnormal procedures
• B. Ignore minor discrepancies and continue
• C. Rely on autopilot readouts exclusively
• D. Recalibrate the instruments on the ground only

Answer: (D)

When instrument indications don’t agree, use independent sources to confirm the aircraft’s actual attitude and performance. Cross-check the primary flight instruments with the standby instruments and assess other in-flight cues, such as pitch and bank from your outside view and the airplane’s behavior. This helps identify whether a single instrument is faulty or if multiple sensors are signaling a real issue. Then follow the POH abnormal or emergency procedures for the specific mismatch, which provide the steps to handle the situation safely. Recalibrating the instruments on the ground addresses calibration in a static sense but doesn’t fix in-flight sensor faults or inconsistent readings; relying on that alone could leave you with inaccurate information in the air. If the situation can’t be resolved quickly, declare an emergency as appropriate and land using the best available information.

When instrument indications don’t agree, use independent sources to confirm the aircraft’s actual attitude and performance. Cross-check the primary flight instruments with the standby instruments and assess other in-flight cues, such as pitch and bank from your outside view and the airplane’s behavior. This helps identify whether a single instrument is faulty or if multiple sensors are signaling a real issue. Then follow the POH abnormal or emergency procedures for the specific mismatch, which provide the steps to handle the situation safely. Recalibrating the instruments on the ground addresses calibration in a static sense but doesn’t fix in-flight sensor faults or inconsistent readings; relying on that alone could leave you with inaccurate information in the air. If the situation can’t be resolved quickly, declare an emergency as appropriate and land using the best available information.