Gyros
The gyroscopic instruments include the attitude indicator, the heading indicator, and the turn coordinator. These are considered gyroscopic instruments because each one relies upon a gyroscope to function.
Several different instruments use gyros.
One of such is the attitude indicator. The gyro in this instrument spins around the vertical axis, meaning that the gyro rotates level with the horizon. The two gimbals holding the gyro allow the gyro to move freely and maintain its level orientation as the airplane maneuvers. Connections to the instrument face will then show the aircraft's attitude to the pilot. Note that if the airplane is experiencing an excessive pitch or bank or if vacuum pump is not providing enough suction to spin the gyro, this instrument can read inaccurately.
Heading indicator also uses gyros. When the aircraft turns, the gyro and attached main drive gear remain in their original orientation. This then causes the main drive gear to rotate the compass card gear, which then rotates the compass card on the face of the instrument.
The turn coordinator is a supporting instrument used while banking. It is used both to indicate the rate and quality of the turn. It can also be used as a backup source of bank information in the event the attitude indicator fails.
In the center of the face of the instrument lies a miniature airplane that indicates the rate of turn the aircraft is currently in. Two tick marks indicate level. The other two tick marks indicate what is called a standard return. Below the miniature aircraft is an gyro which incorporates a ball inside a tube filled with kerosene. For this instrument, the gyro rotates from a motor located in its center. The gyro is mounted so it can remain upright while in a turn. The ball can freely move left and right and will travel in whatever direction aerodynamic forces push and pull it. Ideally, the ball should always be centered, which means the aircraft is coordinated. If aerodynamic forces are unbalanced, the ball will slide left or right. This happens when there is either too much or too little rudder being used with the current amount of bank. These two conditions are referred to as a slip and a skid.
In a slip there is not a great enough rate of turn for the amount of bank the pit needs to add more rudder and or reduce the bank. In a skid there is too much of a rate of turn for the amount of bank the pilot needs to add more bank and or reduce the amount of rudder. The easiest way to remember how to fix these situation is just to step on the ball. This means that when the ball is deflected off center step on the respective rudder pedal that the ball is deflected toward. A ball deflected left means step on the left rudder. Conversely, a ball deflected right means step on the right rudder.
Several different instruments use gyros.
One of such is the attitude indicator. The gyro in this instrument spins around the vertical axis, meaning that the gyro rotates level with the horizon. The two gimbals holding the gyro allow the gyro to move freely and maintain its level orientation as the airplane maneuvers. Connections to the instrument face will then show the aircraft's attitude to the pilot. Note that if the airplane is experiencing an excessive pitch or bank or if vacuum pump is not providing enough suction to spin the gyro, this instrument can read inaccurately.
Heading indicator also uses gyros. When the aircraft turns, the gyro and attached main drive gear remain in their original orientation. This then causes the main drive gear to rotate the compass card gear, which then rotates the compass card on the face of the instrument.
The turn coordinator is a supporting instrument used while banking. It is used both to indicate the rate and quality of the turn. It can also be used as a backup source of bank information in the event the attitude indicator fails.
In the center of the face of the instrument lies a miniature airplane that indicates the rate of turn the aircraft is currently in. Two tick marks indicate level. The other two tick marks indicate what is called a standard return. Below the miniature aircraft is an gyro which incorporates a ball inside a tube filled with kerosene. For this instrument, the gyro rotates from a motor located in its center. The gyro is mounted so it can remain upright while in a turn. The ball can freely move left and right and will travel in whatever direction aerodynamic forces push and pull it. Ideally, the ball should always be centered, which means the aircraft is coordinated. If aerodynamic forces are unbalanced, the ball will slide left or right. This happens when there is either too much or too little rudder being used with the current amount of bank. These two conditions are referred to as a slip and a skid.
In a slip there is not a great enough rate of turn for the amount of bank the pit needs to add more rudder and or reduce the bank. In a skid there is too much of a rate of turn for the amount of bank the pilot needs to add more bank and or reduce the amount of rudder. The easiest way to remember how to fix these situation is just to step on the ball. This means that when the ball is deflected off center step on the respective rudder pedal that the ball is deflected toward. A ball deflected left means step on the left rudder. Conversely, a ball deflected right means step on the right rudder.