Author: Wg Cdr Rajagopal

Turn and Slip Indicator Introduction to Turn and Slip Indicator Turn and slip indicator consists of a turn indicator and a slip indicator Turn indicator has a horizontal rate gyro which measures rate of turn Horizontal rate gyroscope measures rate of turn around the vertical axis Turn indicator has lower rotor speed to use the property of precession Low RPM reduces rigidity and increase precession Slip indicator is a pendulous device indicating balance during turn Turn co-coordinator is an advanced form of turn and slip indicator Rate of Turn Indicator…

Artificial Horizon Display of an Artificial Horizon Artificial horizon provides attitude of aircraft using a vertical axis gyro The gyro spin axis is maintained vertical to earth surface by gravity Gull wing etched on the outer glass moves with aircraft in pitch and roll The horizon image attached to an earth gyro maintains its orientation Nose up indication shows gull wing above the horizon Gull wing attached to outer gimbal moves down by a guide pin system Horizon bar attached to the inner gimbal retains its vertical position Artificial horizon…

Directional Gyro Indicator Introduction to Directional Gyro Indicator DGI provides heading using a tied gyro with two degrees of freedom Spin axis of gyro is maintained in the yawing plane of the aircraft Gyro motor is located in the inner gimbal and readings seen on outer gimbal Outer gimbal can rotate through 360 deg Rotor axis, inner and outer gimbals are at right angles to each other In an air driven DGI, engine driven pump provides air jet to spin the rotor The outer gimbal turns whereas spin axis remains…

Drift and Topple of Gyroscopes Gyroscopic Wander Gyro wander is the departure of the gyro spin axis from its original position Wander is calculated with respect to surface of earth Gyroscopic wander is classified as drift and topple Deviation of spin axis in the horizontal plane is called Gyro drift Gyro topple is the deviation of spin axis in a vertical plane Wander in Horizontal and Vertical Axis Gyro Spin axis of horizontal axis gyros are horizontal to the earth’s surface Horizontal axis gyroscopes can drift as well as topple…

Gyroscopes Gyroscope & Instruments Gyroscopes are used in a variety of flight instruments Directional gyro indicator and Gyro magnetic compass Artificial horizon and Turn & slip indicator Inertial navigation systems and Inertial reference systems Yaw dampers and Auto pilot Stabilization of radar scanners Gyroscopic Theory Gyroscope has a spinning disc called rotor which spins around its spin axis Gyroscopes have two basic properties of rigidity and precession A highly rigid gyroscope will have low rate of precession and vice versa A gyroscope with its spin axis horizontal to earth surface…

Direct Indicating Compass Direct Reading Compass Direct reading or indicating compass is the simplest type of aircraft compass DIC uses horizontal component of magnetic field The maximum permissible deviation on any heading is less than 10 deg Horizontality, Sensitivity and Aperiodicity are required in a good compass Construction of Direct Reading Compass Direct indicating compass consists of a liquid filled compass bowl The magnetic assembly consists of a compass card in a pivoted assembly A lubber line in outer casing provides the reference direction The lubber line is aligned with…