BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE ...

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AFMAN 11-217V1 3 JANUARY 2005
Chapter 5
NAVIGATION INSTRUMENTS
5.1. Application. The navigation instruments explained in this chapter are common to the
majority of USAF aircraft. These instruments are the radio magnetic indicator (RMI), course
indicator (CI), range indicator, bearing-distance-heading indicator (BDHI), flight director
(Figure 5.1), and Flight Management System (FMS).
5.2. Basic Systems.
5.2.1. Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI) (Figure 5.1).
5.2.1.1. RMI Displays. The RMI displays aircraft heading with navigational bearing
data. It normally consists of a rotating compass card and two bearing pointers. The
compass card is actuated by the aircraft compass system. The aircraft magnetic
heading is displayed on the compass card beneath the top index. The bearing pointers
display automatic direction finding (ADF), VHF Omni directional Range (VOR), or
Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) magnetic bearing to the selected navigation
station. Placards on the instrument or near a selector switch are normally used to
identify the bearing pointer display. VOR or TACAN radials are displayed under the
tail of their respective bearing pointers. Bearing pointers do not function in relation
to instrument landing system (ILS) signals.
5.2.1.2. Compass System Malfunction. If there is a malfunction in the compass
system or compass card, the ADF bearing pointer continues to point to the station,
and displays relative bearing only. With a malfunction in the compass system or
compass card, the VOR or TACAN bearing may still indicate magnetic bearing.
Until verified by radar or other navigational equipment, consider this bearing
information unreliable.
5.2.1.2.1. NOTE: VOR and TACAN bearing pointers do not "point" to an area of
maximum signal strength, as does an ADF. VOR and TACAN navigation
receivers electronically measure the magnetic course that is displayed by the
pointers.
5.2.2. Course Indicator (CI) (Figure 5.2). The course indicator operates independently of
the RMI. It displays aircraft heading and position relative to a selected VOR/TACAN
course, and lateral and vertical position relative to an ILS localizer and glide slope.
5.2.2.1. VOR or TACAN Display.
5.2.2.1.1. Course indicator. When the course indicator is used to display VOR or
TACAN information, aircraft heading and position are indicated relative to a
selected course. The desired course is set in the course selector window with the
course set knob.
5.2.2.1.2. The Heading Pointer. The heading pointer connected to the course set
knob and the compass system, displays aircraft heading relative to the selected
course. When the aircraft heading is the same as the course selected, the heading