Aviation Speak

What do you think of when you hear tomato flames? Fiery tomatoes flying through the air might come to mind, but so could all of the instruments and equipment required for day VFR flight. Pilots must commit so much information to memory that many use mnemonic devices, a rhyme or code that helps you to remember things.

Tomato flames represents the instruments required for day VFR flight as listed in FAR 91.205(b). Take the first letter of each item and rearrange the letters to form words. Some items may not be relevant to certain aircraft or operations, but memorize all of them and then apply them practically to the aircraft you're flying. The regulation specifies which items apply to certain groups of aircraft and operations. For example, while flying over land, you would not need flotation gear, which is one part of the F in "flames." Once you have those memorized, you can add the instruments required for VFR night and instrument flight, also listed in FAR 91.205. Below is one version of tomato flames:

• Tachometer (for each engine)
• Oil pressure gauge (for each engine using pressure system)
• Magnetic direction indicator
• Airspeed indicator and altimeter
• Temperature gauge (for each liquid-cooled engine)
• Oil temperature gauge (for each air-cooled engine)

• Fuel gauge indicating the quantity of fuel in each tank; flotation gear; and pyrotechnic signaling device
• Landing gear position indicator (if aircraft has retractable landing gear)
• Anticollision lights (small civil airplanes certificated after March 11, 1996)
• Manifold pressure gauge (for each engine with an adjustable-pitch propeller)
• Emergency locator transmitter
• Safety belt and shoulder harness (harness required in small civil airplanes manufactured after July 18, 1978)