Questions tagged [gyroscopic-instruments]

Questions about instruments which rely on gyroscopes to function, such as attitude indicators.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
2 votes
2 answers
104 views

If the RPM of the Gyro is increased due to high Vacuum Pressure. Will it increase rigidity and resist precession?

If the RPM of the GYRO of the Attitude Indicator or Heading Indicator is increased due to high vacuum pressure. Will it increase rigidity in space and resist any force applied and it will not precess? ...
Nish's user avatar
  • 597
2 votes
2 answers
132 views

Half-Standard Rate Turns and Turn Coordinator

What does a half-standard rate turn look like on a typical turn coordinator? Is the wing tip exactly between the "wings level" mark and the standard rate mark? I am not asking about turn-and-...
Terry's user avatar
  • 335
1 vote
1 answer
124 views

What is the behaviour of attitude indicator with a lower than standard gyro speed?

How does attitude indicator behave if its gyro is spinning at lower revolutions per minute than its designed specification?
AIRWAYLOVER's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
84 views

Sensitivity of the gyroscopic instruments if below or above green arc

What will happen to the gyroscopic instruments (heading indicator and attitude indicator) if the vacuum pressure from the engine driven vacuum pump is too high or too low? Will the indications be ...
AerospaceX's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
326 views

"In the turn coordinator, the gyro is canted 30 degrees from the horizontal so it responds to roll as well as yaw"

According to Wikipedia, "In the turn coordinator, the gyro is canted 30 degrees from the horizontal, so it responds to roll as well as yaw." I don't understand this point. How does rotating ...
marshmellow's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
356 views

Suction gauge pressure too high

What will happen to the gyroscopic instruments (heading indicator and attitude indicator) if the vacuum pressure is too high? Will they be sensitive or stable?
AerospaceX's user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
579 views

Is the attitude gyro (artificial horizon) equipment on our DA40NG aircraft powered by electricity?

Is the attitude gyro (artificial horizon) equipment on our DA40NG aircraft powered by electricity? While reading the flight manual of the plane, I saw an article about the emergency switch: "by ...
pilot162's user avatar
  • 2,195
2 votes
1 answer
471 views

What is the difference between IMU and IRU?

During my academic studies, I am studying the INS part. First of all, INS means a comprehensive category combined with IRU and inertial navigation computer. The IRU is a sensor that uses a gyroscope ...
rockybear's user avatar
  • 131
5 votes
3 answers
467 views

What is the name for the spherical type of attitude indicator that also shows heading?

Is there a special name for the type of attitude indicator or artificial horizon that is more or less a complete sphere and includes lines to show the aircraft heading? I've seen them in the cockpits ...
quiet flyer's user avatar
  • 22.6k
3 votes
1 answer
212 views

Why would older jets and turbo props use electric gyros vs vacuum driven?

What is the reason for older jets and turbo props choosing electric driven gyros vs vacuum driven gyros?
Boeing787's user avatar
  • 6,454
1 vote
1 answer
251 views

What does the AHRS do in the Garmin 175 series?

What function does the AHRS perform in the Garmin 175 series? And how long should it take to perform the initialization of the AHRS component in the initial system configuration process? I am just ...
Charles Bretana's user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
476 views

How to detect orientation with accelerometer while vehicle has variable acceleration?

According to my research I saw that, in order to detect the angular orientation AHRS uses gyro and accelerometer. Only gyro does not work well because of integration drift. Only accelerometer also ...
Mert Celik's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
289 views

Does integrated inclinometer in glass cockpit makes harder to read its reading?

I am a student pilot with just a little over 10 hours of flying and when inclinometer (turn-slip indicator) became for me probably the most important flight instrument along with ASI which I ...
Igor Levashov's user avatar
19 votes
1 answer
4k views

How do aircraft on the deck of a moving aircraft carrier align their INS/IRS?

I know that the F/A-18C is equiped with a rotary switch for inertial alignment. The switch has two positions, one for ground and the other for carrier operations. Leaving aside the GPS/GNSS, I wonder ...
O'Terror's user avatar
  • 1,383
4 votes
1 answer
807 views

How do you realign a directional gyro in an area of magnetic unreliability?

The primary means of determining heading in most small aircraft is the directional gyro, as this instrument is unaffected by the magnetic dip errors that cause a magnetic compass to give the wrong ...
Vikki's user avatar
  • 28.3k
4 votes
1 answer
485 views

Can you fly with INS/ IRS at higher lattitudes?

IRS can't be aligned at higher lattitudes ( above 70 deg) , but if once aligned near equator, can we fly till higher lattitudes with IRS in that flight?
Sachin Chaudhary's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
649 views

How are degree of freedom and gimbals related in a gyro?

Why does it mean to say a gyro has an even degree of freedom? Why does this degree correspond to the number of gimbals ?
Sachin Chaudhary's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

What is gimbal error in DGI compass gyroscopes?

I'm unable to find an explanation of gimbal error in a Directional Gyroscope Indicator (DGI) anywhere. Can someone please explain what this is?
Sachin Chaudhary's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

What do a "sheared pump drive" and a "possible sticky vacuum regulator" mean?

The POH for a PA28 (engine driven vacuum pump) says a decrease in pressure on the gyro suction gauge may indicate a possible sticky vacuum regulator. A zero pressure indication means a sheared pump ...
Brain L's user avatar
  • 73
5 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why is the turn coordinator gyro tilted?

I’ve read many places (such as the FAA’s Instrument Flying Handbook) that a turn coordinator can sense both roll rate and turn rate due to the gyro being tilted 30 degrees. However, why does tilting ...
StephenS's user avatar
  • 27.7k
-4 votes
2 answers
263 views

how missiles or rockets change direction if gyroscopes prevent any direction change? they would bring back the rocket to same path? [closed]

Gyroscopes are instrument which prevent any wobbling or direction change but then how rockets and missiles change their directions. To change direction we have to give signals to gyro or to the servo(...
SRIMON .S DILEEP's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
503 views

Does the FAA's restriction on adjustment of attitude indicators (14 CFR 23.1303(f)) still apply to aircraft today?

The GA planes I fly (with a club) have Garmin G5 PFDs. On these, the horizon/attitude indicator shows a few degrees pitch-up when in level flight. They're adjusted to indicate level on the ground ...
Foster Boondoggle's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
244 views

Do mechanical attitude indicators have rotation limits?

Do mechanical attitude indicators have limits to the rotations they can display? Wondering since gyros suffer from gimbal lock when two axes become aligned (e.g., at 90 deg pitch, if you were doing ...
user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
472 views

Is it possible for an indirect (Russian) attitude indicator to work in 3D without tumbling?

For a reference of direct and indirect attitude indicator, see How is a confusion possible between Western and Russian Attitude Indicators?, and https://www.skybrary.aero/index.php/...
Carl Dong's user avatar
  • 133
-3 votes
2 answers
660 views

In some "turn coordinators", does the gyro spin opposite to the direction it spins in a "turn rate indicator"?

In some "turn coordinators", does the gyro spin opposite to the direction it spins in a "turn rate indicator"? A "turn coordinator" has a symbolic airplane on the display ...
quiet flyer's user avatar
  • 22.6k
6 votes
4 answers
3k views

Why does the attitude indicator gyro not precess the same way that a directional gyro does?

The directional gyro needs to be realigned every so often, but the attitude indicator does not, and I have a hard time finding why.
vector's user avatar
  • 487
0 votes
1 answer
271 views

How do AHRS systems meet the "gyroscopic" requirement of 14 cfr 91.205.d?

EDITED Among the instruments listed as required for IFR operations in the US FAR is are various "gyroscopic" instruments, including those for the turn coordinator, attitude and heading. In ...
Foster Boondoggle's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
734 views

Artificial horizon - "horizon bar" or "symbolic airplane adjust"

(Student pilot, ~ 22hrs training) On a box-standard AI in a C172 there is a knob that allows you to move the symbolic airplane up and down. I've never managed to ask what it is for, but have now been ...
ExternalUse's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
735 views

Has this type of "gyrocompass" ever been used in an aircraft?

One type of instrument commonly referred to as a "gyrocompass" is commonly used in ships. It detects true north based on gyroscopic precession, and is not slaved to any magnetic compass or any ...
quiet flyer's user avatar
  • 22.6k
4 votes
4 answers
1k views

Is Turn and slip indicator a good back-up for the attitude indicator?

I was reading my Aircraft general knowledge book, and noticed something peculiar that was written. The book described that the turn and slip indicator works as a back-up in case of a malfunctioning ...
Julian's user avatar
  • 461
1 vote
1 answer
185 views

Partial panel power on stall under the hood

What do you use for control and performance instruments while demonstrating power on stall under the hood with attitude and heading indicator covered (No vacuum instruments in 6 packs ) ?
user3699005's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
933 views

Question about CDI/OBS and HI [duplicate]

Could somebody please explain me the differences between using the OBS and the Heading Indicator? As much as I could understand, once you tune into the VOR, the OBS starts to show how much deflection/ ...
Ben's user avatar
  • 21
1 vote
2 answers
3k views

Gyro Erection System

I have a hard time understanding the physics behind the pneumatic erecting system in an attitude indicator. According to my book and the linked image, the applied force is “precessed 90 degrees” (anti-...
psie's user avatar
  • 217
0 votes
1 answer
2k views

How does turning Errors in the Air Driven Artificial Horizon work?

Turning through 90°, 180°, 270° & 360°, the error is different. I can understand what is turning error and pitch error individually. But why turning through different degree, the resulting error ...
John's user avatar
  • 195
0 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is the most effective way for a VFR pilot to scan the instruments during manoeuvres?

May I ask your opinion on what is the best and most effective pattern for a VFR pilot to scan their instruments during manoeuvres?
shogunnyan's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Why does the turn coordinator ball move to the right during a climb?

In a light aircraft like a C172 or PA-28, during a climb the ball in the turn coordinator moves to the right. Why?
PILOTSTUDENT1599's user avatar
11 votes
3 answers
1k views

During "partial panel" flying, in what ways is a turn rate indicator more useful than a turn coordinator?

This question deals with flying by reference to old-fashioned "steam gauges", not a modern "glass cockpit". I recall hearing some pilots very experienced (ATP) pilots advocate for the older-style "...
quiet flyer's user avatar
  • 22.6k
0 votes
0 answers
62 views

How does a standby ADI remain accurate when flying over the curved earth? [duplicate]

How does a standby attitude directional indicator remain accurate when flying for many hours over the curve of the earth? While maintaining level flight, wouldn’t the pilot see an apparent movement of ...
J. Smith's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Is the pod on the right wing of the PC-12 and Cessna 208 a gyrocompass? [duplicate]

Hello avgeeks, First time posting here looking for an answer. Could someone tell me what's located inside that pod on the right wing of some planes like this Pilatus PC12 or this Caravan 208? I guess ...
Flightfighter's user avatar
8 votes
2 answers
3k views

How to handle vacuum and turn coordinator failure in IMC?

I just earned my FAA instrument rating and a considerable amount of time was spent training partial panel. This meant flying with no vacuum gyro instruments - attitude indicator and directional gyro. ...
Hawkman's user avatar
  • 233
4 votes
1 answer
577 views

What instruments are used to indicate aircraft attitude in acrobatic airplanes?

As aerobatic airplanes don’t use gyroscopic instruments such as attitude indicators, what instruments are used to indicate the aircraft’s attitude in flight?
Arian's user avatar
  • 890
5 votes
2 answers
680 views

Do air-driven gyroscopic instruments suffer from icing or any blockage of filter?

Do gyro instruments suffer from icing in an air-driven gyro system? Do they have any particular way to protect them against blockages of filter or any type of other blockage? (Alternate source?) I am ...
Andrea Ghilardi's user avatar
20 votes
3 answers
7k views

How did the gyro gunsights of WW2 get the range and lead of a target?

I just read this article on the gyro gunsight, but I don't understand how it computed range/position to the target and then calculated how much lead is needed. Surely it must have had radar to get ...
DrZ214's user avatar
  • 17.7k
9 votes
1 answer
4k views

What are the pros and cons of vacuum and pressure gyros?

Inspired by this question, I would like to know what the pro's and con's of the mostly used vacuum-gyro and the less used high-pressure-gyro is. Side-question: Are there any other ways to make the ...
Noah Krasser's user avatar
  • 8,992
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

How does a gyro compass indicate true heading?

From what I've researched, a gyro compass is usually calibrated with with reference to a magnetic compass. Once you've engaged the gimbal locks, and start to rotate the compass to a magnetic heading; ...
ApolloMission4's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

How are gyros used on a turn indicator?

So I understand how precession works, and that gimbals are used to isolate the gyro from outside rotation, however when a yawing motion is applied to the gyro, it'll essentially translate to a rolling ...
ApolloMission4's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
1k views

At what altitude do vacuum powered gyros become ineffective?

Obviously, in space a vacuum powered gyro would not work because there is no air to move, but, how high do you have to go before they are unable to spin fast enough to work properly? would a vacuum ...
Greg Taylor's user avatar
  • 3,791
12 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why vacuum instead of pressure to power gyros?

Why are most air powered gyro instruments powered by vacuum rather than positive pressure?
Greg Taylor's user avatar
  • 3,791
7 votes
4 answers
2k views

How do modern avionics work without vacuum pumps or gyroscopes?

I'm going to be taking my checkride soon on a Skycatcher 162. It has an all glass cockpit utilizing the Garmin G300, and its my understanding that it does not utilize gyroscopes or vacuum pumps for ...
boulder_ruby's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
227 views

How does the control-board on small drones govern their flight?

I saw this YouTube clip for a light weight drone, under a few ounces, with very impressive maneuverability. They used styrofoam for frame and taped the rotors and battery and the control chip to it. ...
kamran's user avatar
  • 995