The heading indicator is also called what?

Study for the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

The heading indicator is also called what?

Explanation:
The heading indicator is called a directional gyro because it uses a gyroscope to provide a stable reference in the horizontal plane, showing the aircraft’s heading on a rotating compass card. This gyro-stabilized instrument keeps its reference fixed as the airplane moves, so you can read your direction relative to magnetic north. Over time the gyro can drift, so pilots routinely align it with the magnetic compass to correct for drift. This is different from the attitude indicator, which shows pitch and bank; the airspeed indicator, which shows speed; and the vertical speed indicator, which shows rate of climb or descent.

The heading indicator is called a directional gyro because it uses a gyroscope to provide a stable reference in the horizontal plane, showing the aircraft’s heading on a rotating compass card. This gyro-stabilized instrument keeps its reference fixed as the airplane moves, so you can read your direction relative to magnetic north. Over time the gyro can drift, so pilots routinely align it with the magnetic compass to correct for drift. This is different from the attitude indicator, which shows pitch and bank; the airspeed indicator, which shows speed; and the vertical speed indicator, which shows rate of climb or descent.

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