Editing Flight instruments (section)

{{Short description|Aircraft instrument that gives information during flight}}
[[Image:slingsby.t67c.panel.g-bocm.arp.jpg|thumb|right|400px|The cockpit of a [[Slingsby T-67 Firefly]] two-seat light [[airplane]]. The flight instruments are visible on the left of the instrument panel]]

'''Flight instruments ''' are the instruments in the [[cockpit]] of an [[aircraft]] that provide the [[pilot]] with data about the flight situation of that aircraft, such as [[altitude]], [[airspeed]], [[Variometer|vertical speed]], heading and much more other crucial information in flight. They improve safety by allowing the pilot to fly the aircraft in level flight, and make turns, without a reference outside the aircraft such as the horizon.  [[Visual flight rules]] (VFR) require an [[airspeed indicator]], an [[altimeter]], and a [[compass]] or other suitable magnetic direction indicator.  [[Instrument flight rules]] (IFR) additionally require a gyroscopic pitch-bank ([[artificial horizon]]), direction (directional gyro) and rate of turn indicator, plus a slip-skid indicator, adjustable altimeter, and a clock. Flight into [[instrument meteorological conditions]] (IMC) require [[radio navigation]] instruments for precise takeoffs and landings.<ref name=faa/>{{rp|3-1}}

The term is sometimes used loosely as a synonym for [[cockpit|cockpit instruments]] as a whole, in which context it can include engine instruments, navigational and communication equipment. Many modern aircraft have [[electronic flight instrument system]]s.

Most regulated aircraft have these flight instruments as dictated by the US [[Code of Federal Regulations]], Title 14, Part 91.  They are grouped according to [[pitot-static system]], compass systems, and [[gyroscopic]] instruments.<ref name=faa>[http://www.sheppardair.com/download/faa-h-8083-15.pdf Instrument Flying Handbook, 2001, FAA-H-8083-15], US Dept. of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Flight Standards Service</ref>{{rp|3-1}}