Compass and Eye Reference
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Overview
Standby Compass
At the top, the standby compass provides magnetic heading information, allowing the pilots to navigate the aircraft manually in case the main electronic navigation systems fail. It is a traditional, analog compass, a reliable fallback that isn’t dependent on the aircraft’s electrical systems.
Eye Reference Indicator
Below the compass, there’s the eye reference indicator, commonly referred to as the "ball." In the Airbus A380, the eye reference indicator consists of two red balls and one white ball in the middle. The pilot adjusts their seat so the white ball is hidden behind a red ball from their viewpoint. When properly aligned, this ensures that the pilot's eyes are at the correct height and position for an optimal view of both the outside environment and the cockpit instruments. This is especially critical for accurate visual reference during critical flight phases like takeoff and landing.
Visual Ice Indicator
There are two visual ice indicators outside the aircraft, between the two windshields. They provide the flight crew with a visual backup to the ice detection system.
The visual ice indicators can be illuminated by the flight crew using the "ICE IND & STBY COMPASS" switch on the overhead panel to check for ice accumulation on the windshield.