gyros

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Questions and Answers

What property of the gimbal system is utilized by the erection system to maintain the rotor spin axis at the desired attitude?

Gravity alignment

Friction

Precession (correct)

Gyroscopic stability

Which of the following mechanisms is NOT mentioned as a force creator for the erection of the attitude gyro?

Air jets

Mechanical levers (correct)

Electrical torque motors

Deliberate changes to gimbal balance

What is the maximum pitch attitude limitation for modern attitude gyro instruments?

75 degrees

90 degrees

80 degrees

85 degrees (correct)

During which situation should attitude and directional gyros be caged to prevent damage?

Aerobatic maneuvers Signup and view all the answers

What is required to reset directional gyros to the magnetic heading?

Caging knob Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that filters are critical in air-driven gyro systems?

To prevent contamination Signup and view all the answers

What component is fixed to the outer roll gimbal in the fixed sky plate artificial horizon design?

Sky plate Signup and view all the answers

What function does the pendulous vane assembly serve in the inner gimbal?

Generates torque to maintain vertical alignment Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the inner or outer gimbal is not aligned to vertical?

One vane covers its slot while the other opens it Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the pull-to-cage knob in the older design of the horizon system?

To re-align the gyro in level flight Signup and view all the answers

What visual indication does the horizon bar provide when the aircraft is climbing?

The miniature aircraft appears above the horizon Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the movement of the inner gimbal?

It is limited to a movement of ±85° Signup and view all the answers

How does air escape from the pendulous vane assembly in a misaligned gimbal situation?

Through opened slots of one vane Signup and view all the answers

What describes the appearance of the fixed sky plate in the artificial horizon design?

It is painted totally black Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the aircraft is above the glide path during an ILS approach?

Signals feed the meter causing the glide slope pointer to be delected downwards. Signup and view all the answers

What role do servomotors play in the attitude director operation?

They drive the indicator synchro rotor to the null position. Signup and view all the answers

How do conventional meter movements affect the flight instruments?

They position the glideslope, localiser, and flight director steering command pointer. Signup and view all the answers

What information does the flight director computer process?

Attitude source pitch and roll information. Signup and view all the answers

What indicates that the aircraft is to the left of the localiser beam during approach?

The localiser pointer is delected to the right. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the mode selector is turned off in the flight director system?

The command bars are removed from view. Signup and view all the answers

What does the glideslope pointer indicate during the landing phase?

The aircraft's vertical position within the glideslope beam Signup and view all the answers

How is the aircraft's lateral position indicated in relation to the localiser beam?

By the localiser pointer Signup and view all the answers

What component shows the difference between actual and desired aircraft speed?

Speed command pointer Signup and view all the answers

Which component houses a pitch and roll synchro in flight director systems?

Attitude Director Indicator (ADI) Signup and view all the answers

What do electronic flight instrument systems typically incorporate?

Radio altitude, airspeed, and vertical airspeed Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the operation of a gimbal synchro compared to an indicator synchro?

Gimbal synchro amplifies error signals for positioning, while indicator synchro indicates the aircraft's attitude. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the flight director computer play in flight director systems?

It integrates signals from various navigation aids. Signup and view all the answers

When the localiser pointer is to the left of the center line, what does this indicate?

The aircraft is to the right of the localiser beam. Signup and view all the answers

What additional information can be incorporated into electronic flight instrument systems, depending on manufacturer capabilities?

Decision height and inclinometer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attitude Gyro Functionality

Aligns rotor spin axis vertically for detecting aircraft movement in pitch and roll regarding Earth's horizon.
Erection system maintains rotor spin axis alignment using gimbal precession.
Normal erection rates between 1 to 5 degrees per minute.
Forces for alignment generated by air jets, electrical torque motors, or gimbal balance adjustments.

Caging Mechanism

Older attitude gyros lacked 360-degree roll freedom, requiring manual caging during start and pre-takeoff.
Directional gyros reset to magnetic heading using a caging knob.
Caging also employed during aerobatic maneuvers to prevent instrument damage.
Modern gyros often possess full roll axis freedom and employ high-speed self-erecting mechanisms.

Aircraft Vacuum Gyro System

Utilizes air-driven gyro rotors functioning on low pressure or vacuum systems.
Vacuum supplied via venturi or engine-driven pump; crucial to maintain filter integrity to prevent contamination.
Air pressure is ported over cups within the gyro rotor for operation.

Fixed Sky Plate Artificial Horizon

Older gyro design demonstrates pitch and roll through a fixed sky plate, painted black.
Roll angle pointer attached to the sky plate reads against a fixed scale.
Pendulous vane assembly adjusts gimbal alignment with gravity to maintain operation.

Gyro Dynamics

Features mechanical stops limiting inner gimbal pitch to ±85° to prevent gimbal lock.
Horizon bar indicates aircraft attitude relative to the horizon during maneuvers.
Drift or tumbles can be corrected using a pull-to-cage knob in older designs.

Flight Instruments and Indicators

Glideslope Pointer indicates vertical aircraft position within the glideslope beam during landing.
Localiser Deviation Indicator shows lateral position relative to the localiser beam.
Speed Command Pointer displays the difference between actual and desired aircraft speed.
Modern systems may integrate additional information like altitude and collision avoidance systems.

Flight Director Components

Composed of Flight Director Indicator (FDI or ADI), Course Deviation Indicator (CDI), and flight director computer.
Attitude indicators use synchros and servomechanisms to reflect aircraft attitude changes.
Integrated systems process various flight and navigation data to guide pilots during operations.

Turn Coordinator Overview

Measures rate of turn, responding quickly once the aircraft begins to bank.
Incorporates a visual indicator using a rear view of an aircraft; alignment with index marks indicates level flight.
Gyroscope set at a tilt for increased sensitivity to banking and turning actions.
Pilot anticipates turn direction based on gyroscope precession and maintains co-ordination through a centered ball indicator.

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Description

This quiz explores the functioning of attitude gyros in aircraft and their alignment with Earth's horizon. It covers the properties of gimbal systems and precession, focusing on the erection system and its operational rates. Test your understanding of how gyros detect aircraft movements in pitch and roll.