Roger,

I forgot to mention, that like yourself I am licensed radio amateur
[W8/G4DYR] and have the in-depth technical understanding of the avionics
fitted in the Archer.
If asked a similar question by the DE, I too would probably head off down
the full electronic technical path to describe how it worked :-)

Roy

"Roger" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:57:17 GMT, "Roy N5804F"
wrote:

I've seen a lot of answers on here, but the standard approach (no pun
intended) is to *expect* and be prepared to use any and all
instruments installed on the airplane. That includes autopilot. GPS,
LORAN, what ever and be able to demonstrate how to program it in
flight. You probably won't have to, but if you don't know how that
will probably be what you get quizzed on and have to use. They are
very good at finding out how well you know your equipment.

Yes, I had to demonstrate the use of the autopilot which couples to
the DG, RNAV, and VOR receivers.

With a fully ticked out bird you probably won't have to use all of
that equipment, but you may or may not be questioned on it. However
you probably won't know ahead of time which. Certainly those that are
used for your primary navigation are likely to be covered in depth so
I'd want to be very familiar with that new stack. You have an NDB.
Most likely you will get to use it. Loran? It's just a back up. That
way *maybe* you only get to explain how you use it.

On my flight the examiner asked me how the RNAV "worked" so I started
out with the technical explanation as to how it "worked". After about
a minute he stopped me and said, "I meant, how do you use it". Big
difference:-)).
Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com