Which instrument is described as an azimuth on a vertical card with a fixed miniature airplane to show heading, using eddy current damping to minimize lead and lag during turns?

• A. Vectoring
• B. Velocity
• C. Venturi tube
• D. Vertical card compass

Answer: (D)

This item tests understanding of the vertical card compass, a magnetic heading indicator that shows heading as an azimuth on a vertical card. A fixed miniature airplane is used as the reference; the card rotates behind it so you read the heading where the card aligns with the scale under the airplane. Eddy current damping smooths the card’s motion, reducing lead and lag during turns, which makes the heading indication more stable and easier to read as you bank and roll. This structure and damping are specific to this instrument, unlike velocity or venturi-based airspeed devices or ATC terms like vectoring.