Pendulous Vanes and Attitude Indicators

Gyroscopically stabilized Attitude Indicators are self correcting to the vector of gravity (the direction of down). This is accomplished by the use of pendulous vanes which apply a sideways force to the gyroscope, causing it to precessing according to the right hand rule. This self correction is not instantaneous, taking about 8 minutes to correct a misalignment of 20 degrees. This is more than fast enough to correct for the curvature of the earth (it takes about 160 min for a jet to fly 20 degrees). We do not want instantaneous self correction or we would lose our true level during turns. Aircraft turn at 'standard rate' which is 180 degrees in 1 min. The reason we use standard rate turns in normal flight is to avoid tumbling the gyro in the Attitude Indicator. We also do not fly in a constant bank for long periods of time to avoid having the PV misalign the AI. Even in holding patterns, we alternate turning at standard rate for 1 min with flying straight and level for 1 min to balance out the forces on the gyro. Donate to the Telescope Fund: https://www.patreon.com/posts/116418109 Bob's Websites Check them OUT: Bob the Science Guy: https://www.youtube.com/user/drbob420 ResearchFlatMoon (the production channel): https://www.youtube.com/c/ResearchFlatMoon Slide Rules and Mathematics (STEM Education): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEXa89aIdG222z8ADB0e7GA Shamrock Banks Observatory: https://www.youtube.com/c/CommonSenseScience Please consider becoming a Patreon of the Channel- All money donated through paypal or from the patreons goes directly into improvements in the channel (computers, cameras, lights etc) or to create educational videos (sextants, telescope equipment, etc). https://www.patreon.com/bobthescienceguy Bob


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