Above the Glare Shield

This section covers general items on the above the glare shield in the cockpit. More specific items are covered elsewhere.

1. RHAW Vector Indicator and Control Panel
2. Drag Chute Handle
3. A-4 Gunsight
4. Status Display Lights
5. Wet Magnetic Compass

Wet Magnetic Compass

Although not necessarily a primary flight instrument, the wet magnetic compass can be used during system failures that degrade the heading indicators operation.

In the northern hemisphere, when turning the aircraft north and lead turning towards north, the compass lags. In the southern hemisphere, opposite behavior occurs. For accelerations in the northmen hemisphere, the compass turns north. In the southern hemisphere, the compass turns south. The opposite is true for decelerations.

The compass card can tilt slightly, but if the compass is not perfectly level with the magnetic field of earth, error is introduced. Some small amuont of misalignment error is always a factor in readings.

Drag Chute Handle

Deploys the drag chute when pulled. To release the drag chute, twist the handle until it's in the vertical position. After the drag chute is release, you can simply stow the handle.

You can release the drag chute early by rotating it fully.

The drag chute is repacked when the ground crew rearms the aircraft.