Steam Gauges?

akaFlyboy 4

akaFlyboy 4

New Member
Ok I have looked on both Jepps PPL and Instrument/Commercial books, I have looked on the web and Wekapedia, I have looked at FAA books and I can not find any reference to "Steam Gauge". I pretty sure I understand what gauges people are referring to as opposed to a glass cockpit, but why do some people refer to individual round dials as steam gauges?
 
Because they are similar in appearance to the old "steam Gauges" that you would find on steam powered equipment like locomotives
 
Hey Ben! Hope the ole FBO is treatin good.

So so nothing to do with how they function - just that the were similar to Old Locomotive steam gauges? Sounds like and Early aviation thing then.
 
It's sort of a reference to the vacuum and gyro-driven instruments as "old and busted" and glass as "the new hotness."

That said, I'd rather learn primary and instrument on steam gauges - and learn glass later.
 
bdhill1979 said:
Because they are similar in appearance to the old "steam Gauges" that you would find on steam powered equipment like locomotives
Click to expand...
:yeahthat:

During the birth of aircraft technology most industry steam gauges were round in shape, and the name carried over to the aircraft gauges. Even though square and rectangle instrument gauges have started appearing, the round gauges have retained the nickname.
Click to expand...

http://www.duncanaviation.aero/publications/intelligence/citation/archives/2005-Fall.php
 
akaFlyboy 4 said:
Hey Ben! Hope the ole FBO is treatin good.

So so nothing to do with how they function - just that the were similar to Old Locomotive steam gauges? Sounds like and Early aviation thing then.
Click to expand...
You know full well who is the "Old Locomotive" around here is.
 
I call them steam gauges too, altough there is nothing steam about it anymore lol

some just call it six pack, or analog
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top