Gyroscopic Instruments Flashcards
A gyroscope is a device consisting of:
A wheel, having much of its mass concentrated on the rim, mounted on a spinning axis
The characteristic of a gyroscope that makes it so important as a navigational aid is:
its ability to remain rigid in space. This provides a directional reference point around which other movements can be measured.
What is Rigidity in Space?
The force of the gyro that opposes any other force that tends to change its plane of rotation in space
The more mass or the faster the rotor spins:
the greater the rigidity in space
What is a free gyro?
Allows the components to rotate independently and freely of the aircraft, the rotor of the gyroscope is mounted in rings.
What are these rings called that the rotor is mounted in?
Gimbal Rings
What is the inner ring/X-Axis?
Horizontal Axis (Spin)
What is the outer ring/Y-Axis?
Roll axis
What is the frame/Z-Axis?
Vertical Axis
What is Gyroscopic Precession?
The tendency of a gyro to react to an applied force 90 degrees from the point the force is applied
What are the two common sources of power that provide spin to the rotor of the gyro?
Air (Pneumatically)
and
Electricity
How can the system pressure be adjusted?
Using the relief valve
What does the rotor for a pneumatic gyro have to impart rotation?
Buckets
The older style wet vacuum pumps have a port to allow what?
Engine oil to lubricate the bearings
The newer style dry vacuum pumps use carbon vanes that are self lubricating. However:
They are prone to unexpected failure
As required by regulation, a dry vacuum pump must have a means for:
checking wear of the carbon vanes
The electrically powered gyros are powered from:
Aircraft electrical bus
Directional and LRGs (Laser Ring Gyros) are sometimes referred to as:
Remote Gyros because they are not in the instrument themselves
What is the Attitude Indicator for?
To adjust for parallax (natural plane displacement from settings)
What does a cage knob do?
Locks the gimbals to prevent the gyro from tumbling when powered up or down
When the airplane pitches up, what will appear on the indicator?
More blue (the upper half)
When the airplane pitches down, what will appear in the indicator?
More brown (the lower half)
A bank left will show:
The left wing lower than the left
A bank right will show:
the right ring wing lower than the left
The Attitude Director Indicator (ADI) is:
a part of an automatic flight control system that provides visual cues to the pilots to fly the aircraft more precisely
The ADI is similar to the attitude indicator except:
it has a command bar driven by the flight computer
Turn indicators measure:
the rate of turn of an aircraft about its vertical axis
Normally another instrument is also part of the turn indicator:
The inclinometer or ball
Why is the turn indicator normally an electrically operated instrument?
in case the vacuum system fails and the pilot has an inoperative attitude indicator
A standard turn and bank indicator will depict a turn rate for:
a “two minute” or standard rate turn when the turn needle is on the “dog house”
A “Standard Rate Turn” means:
it will take the pilot two minutes to complete 360° turn or one minute to complete a 180° turn.
What is the turn rate indicator used for in high speed aircraft?
Four minute
What does the Turn and Bank Indicator use to provide the correct display?
A canted gyro and it’s precession
How does the inclinometer (or slip indicator) work?
Gravity
If making a right turn and the ball moves to the left of center, the aircraft is in a:
Skid
If making a right turn and the ball moves to the right of center, the aircraft is in a:
Slip
What is another way for inclinometer information to be depicted?
With a Turn Coordinator
The turn coordinator operates the same as a Turn and Bank Indicator but:
the display uses an airplane symbol
The Directional Gyro is designed to eliminate:
Some of the problems associated with the magnetic compass
The Directional Gyro does not see North. It does, however, tell the pilot what?
If the aircraft is maintaining the selected heading
Drift or precession of the gyro will occur after a period of time and the pilot will have to:
reset the Directional Gyro using the magnetic compass
A key feature in telling the difference between a Directional Gyro and a Heading Indicator is:
An additional knob to set the heading bug for the desired course
A Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) combines what information into one instrument?
Info supplied by a heading indicator with Radio Navigation info
