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Chapter 3.2
Direction Indicator
Introduction
The Direction Gyro Indicator (DI) uses a horizontal axis tied gyro, which possesses freedom in
three planes, and uses the gyroscopes property of rigidity, to stabilise an azimuth scale. It is
manually aligned with the direct reading magnetic compass and, in light aeroplane, provides a
stabilised directional reference for maintaining and turning accurately on to a heading. The DI is
non-magnetic and is thus not subject to turning and acceleration errors, dip or magnetic
disturbances. The DI provides an accurate dead-beat indication of heading, and shows any
deviation from the set heading instantaneously. The DI is also not north seeking, so it must be
provided with a directional datum from an outside source, which is normally taken from the
direct reading magnetic compass. It is thus essential that the DI indications be checked, at
regular intervals, against the direct reading magnetic compass, because after the initial
synchronisation the gyro may wander, particularly after aerobatics. The DI is thus designed to
compliment the DRC, and not replace it.
Basic Description of the Direction Indicator
The instrument can be either air driven or electrically driven. In the air driven version the
instrument consists of an air-driven horizontal axis gyro, rotating at approximately 10,000 rpm.
The azimuth scale is graduated from 0 to 360 in 5 divisions, with main graduations every 10,
and figures every 30. The scale is then read of against a vertical lubber line.
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Below the window is sited a knob, which is used to cage the gyro, and also to rotate the gyro
assembly when, setting a given heading.
Operation of the Direction Indicator
The diagram below shows the internal mechanism of a typical air driven version of the
instrument.
The rotor spins about its horizontal axis, and is supported in bearings in the inner gimbal ring,
which is free to rotate about the horizontal axis through 110, ie. 55 either side of its central
position, when it is uncaged. The inner gimbal ring is supported in bearings in the vertical outer
gimbal ring and is free to rotate in azimuth through 360 about the vertical axis. A nozzle is
sited in the outer gimbal, and directs a jet of air onto buckets cut in the rotor periphery. The
action of the air ensures that the rotor reaches its operating rpm after about five minutes, when
full suction is developed by the vacuum pump. The air jet also maintains the rotor spin axis in
the horizontal plane, as shown below. If the gyro topples, a component of the jet force will act at
right angles to the rotor, and will produce a precessing force, which will erect the gyro.
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In this version the indicator scale is attached to the outer gimbal, but on newer models, the
synchronising gear ring also drives a sequence of gears, which connect the movements of the
gyro around its vertical axis, onto a vertical scale, as shown below.
The gyro is initially erected using a caging mechanism, which manually places the gyro spin
axis in its horizontal plane. The mechanism consists of a bevel pinion and a caging arm, which
are both directly controlled by a caging or setting knob sited on the front of the instrument.
When the knob is pushed in the bevel pinion engages with the synchroniser gear ring, and
allows the scale to be adjusted in azimuth by rotating the caging knob.
At the same time the caging arm is raised, which locks the inner gimbal ring in its horizontal
plane, and prevents the gimbal ring and rotor from toppling during resetting. The caging knob is
pulled out to uncage the gyroscope, by disengaging the gears and allowing the caging arm to
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Real drift (gyro drift) from the fixed latitude correction = 15.04 x Sin latitude/hour.
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Ground Speed
x Tan mid latitude/hour
60
= 15.04 x sin 60
= -13.03/hour (decrease)
= 240 x tan 60
= - 6.93/hour (east)
60
= -19.96/hour (decrease)
= +10.63/hour (increase)
= 15.04 x sin 45
By comparing the actual DI heading with the expected one (derived from these calculations),
the pilot can then use this information to establish the real (random) drift error that exists.
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