Hobbies And Interests
Instructions
Point the compass or aircraft in the direction of a verified true north. This can be done by going outside the aircraft where there is no electrical or mineral interference and using a regular compass. Inside the aircraft, you can use a global positioning system to get proper direction. Move the aircraft into a position where it points due north.
Turn on all electrical equipment that would normally be on during flight, as well as engines and other systems. Re-create the most realistic experience of flying to get the exact compass reading you would get if you were in flight.
Examine the compass. Without interference, its needle should point in the verified direction, most likely north. If it is offset, there is a deviation and the compensating magnets must be adjusted to take into account this offset caused by the electrical instruments and the metals in the plane.
Adjust the north/south compensating magnets using a screwdriver until the compass needle is pointing to the north position. This should be the proper direction for north, taking into account the deviation caused by the electromagnetic fields.
Turn the plane so it faces west and then examine the compass just as in the north/south adjustments. If there is deviation from west, using a screwdriver again, adjust the east/west compensation magnet screw until the needle lines up with the west direction. The magnet should be adjusted properly for any aberrant magnetic fields in the plane.