Gyroscopic Instruments

Question 1

A gyroscope is a device consisting of:

Answer 1

A wheel, having much of its mass concentrated on the rim, mounted on a spinning axis

Question 2

The characteristic of a gyroscope that makes it so important as a navigational aid is:

Answer 2

its ability to remain rigid in space. This provides a directional reference point around which other movements can be measured.

Question 3

What is Rigidity in Space?

Answer 3

The force of the gyro that opposes any other force that tends to change its plane of rotation in space

Question 4

The more mass or the faster the rotor spins:

Answer 4

the greater the rigidity in space

Question 5

What is a free gyro?

Answer 5

Allows the components to rotate independently and freely of the aircraft, the rotor of the gyroscope is mounted in rings.

Question 6

What are these rings called that the rotor is mounted in?

Answer 6

Gimbal Rings

Question 7

What is the inner ring/X-Axis?

Answer 7

Horizontal Axis (Spin)

Question 8

What is the outer ring/Y-Axis?

Answer 8

Roll axis

Question 9

What is the frame/Z-Axis?

Answer 9

Vertical Axis

Question 10

What is Gyroscopic Precession?

Answer 10

The tendency of a gyro to react to an applied force 90 degrees from the point the force is applied

Question 11

What are the two common sources of power that provide spin to the rotor of the gyro?

Answer 11

Air (Pneumatically)
and
Electricity

Question 12

How can the system pressure be adjusted?

Answer 12

Using the relief valve

Question 13

What does the rotor for a pneumatic gyro have to impart rotation?

Answer 13

Buckets

Question 14

The older style wet vacuum pumps have a port to allow what?

Answer 14

Engine oil to lubricate the bearings

Question 15

The newer style dry vacuum pumps use carbon vanes that are self lubricating. However:

Answer 15

They are prone to unexpected failure

Question 16

As required by regulation, a dry vacuum pump must have a means for:

Answer 16

checking wear of the carbon vanes

Question 17

The electrically powered gyros are powered from:

Answer 17

Aircraft electrical bus

Question 18

Directional and LRGs (Laser Ring Gyros) are sometimes referred to as:

Answer 18

Remote Gyros because they are not in the instrument themselves

Question 19

What is the Attitude Indicator for?

Answer 19

To adjust for parallax (natural plane displacement from settings)

Question 20

What does a cage knob do?

Answer 20

Locks the gimbals to prevent the gyro from tumbling when powered up or down

Question 21

When the airplane pitches up, what will appear on the indicator?

Answer 21

More blue (the upper half)

Question 22

When the airplane pitches down, what will appear in the indicator?

Answer 22

More brown (the lower half)

Question 23

A bank left will show:

Answer 23

The left wing lower than the left

Question 24

A bank right will show:

Answer 24

the right ring wing lower than the left

Question 25

The Attitude Director Indicator (ADI) is:

Answer 25

a part of an automatic flight control system that provides visual cues to the pilots to fly the aircraft more precisely

Question 26

The ADI is similar to the attitude indicator except:

Answer 26

it has a command bar driven by the flight computer

Question 27

Turn indicators measure:

Answer 27

the rate of turn of an aircraft about its vertical axis

Question 28

Normally another instrument is also part of the turn indicator:

Answer 28

The inclinometer or ball

Question 29

Why is the turn indicator normally an electrically operated instrument?

Answer 29

in case the vacuum system fails and the pilot has an inoperative attitude indicator

Question 30

A standard turn and bank indicator will depict a turn rate for:

Answer 30

a “two minute” or standard rate turn when the turn needle is on the “dog house”

Question 31

A “Standard Rate Turn” means:

Answer 31

it will take the pilot two minutes to complete 360° turn or one minute to complete a 180° turn.

Question 32

What is the turn rate indicator used for in high speed aircraft?

Answer 32

Four minute

Question 33

What does the Turn and Bank Indicator use to provide the correct display?

Answer 33

A canted gyro and it’s precession

Question 34

How does the inclinometer (or slip indicator) work?

Answer 34

Gravity

Question 35

If making a right turn and the ball moves to the left of center, the aircraft is in a:

Answer 35

Skid

Question 36

If making a right turn and the ball moves to the right of center, the aircraft is in a:

Answer 36

Slip

Question 37

What is another way for inclinometer information to be depicted?

Answer 37

With a Turn Coordinator

Question 38

The turn coordinator operates the same as a Turn and Bank Indicator but:

Answer 38

the display uses an airplane symbol

Question 39

The Directional Gyro is designed to eliminate:

Answer 39

Some of the problems associated with the magnetic compass

Question 40

The Directional Gyro does not see North. It does, however, tell the pilot what?

Answer 40

If the aircraft is maintaining the selected heading

Question 41

Drift or precession of the gyro will occur after a period of time and the pilot will have to:

Answer 41

reset the Directional Gyro using the magnetic compass

Question 42

A key feature in telling the difference between a Directional Gyro and a Heading Indicator is:

Answer 42

An additional knob to set the heading bug for the desired course

Question 43

A Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) combines what information into one instrument?

Answer 43

Info supplied by a heading indicator with Radio Navigation info