Is my flap indicator broken?

[itsjames2011]

Hey everyone,

I fly a 1967 172H which has electric flaps and you have to hold the switch until the flaps get to the desired setting. I've noticed that that indicator does not seem to work while on the ground.

If I set them to what I think is 10 degrees and do a short field take off, the needle will move once I'm airborne.

Is this how it's supposed to operate or is it broken?

 

[MAKG1]

Early Cessna electric flaps used momentary switches, at least for extension.

The flap indicator is the rear side windows, not the fiction next to the switch.

 

[nosehair]

Try going past 10° until you see the indicator move, if it works. Part of a good preflight is to actuate the flaps thru full range, and confirm the indicator agrees with what you see.

 

[peerlesscowboy]

Sounds like something's sticking. Until you get it fixed....pre-takeoff, go full aileron one way or the other and set the flaps so the trailing edge is even with the trailing edge of the full down aileron. That'll get you pretty close to a proper short field take off setting.

 

[denverpilot]

Try going past 10° until you see the indicator move, if it works. Part of a good preflight is to actuate the flaps thru full range, and confirm the indicator agrees with what you see.

Huh. Someone forgot to tell the airlines.

On Cessnas the primary flap indicator is looking out the window. The secondary indicator is the stupid thing next to the flap handle.

 

[Luvrv8]

I too own a 172H. There s a part by the flap jack screw theat measures the travel and then sends the info to the indicator. That part has issues, last I was quoted was 700ish to repair the ending unit. Mine works usually, if not it's not too hard to look out the window.