Gyrosyn

Gyrosyn is the abbreviation for gyroscopic instruments for navigation , the directional stabilization of which is supported by magnetic field probes. Prototypes of these instruments were developed around the middle of the 20th century.

They were ready for use in flight navigation in the 1970s and were used to increase the accuracy of the course gyro over longer periods of time, especially for long-haul flights . The magnetic control of the gyro-supported direction measurement limits the influence of the inevitable gyro drift that increases over time. Every rapidly rotating free gyroscope has a good stability of its axis of rotation, but slowly drifts out of the given direction due to small imbalances on the rotor.

While the traditional correction of course gyroscopes was done by manual tracking using a good magnetic compass or from measurements of radio navigation , a magnetic probe takes over this task continuously with gyrosyn instruments , which is indicated by the abbreviation "Syn" (synchronization). For sufficiently small control values can compass errors , mainly engaged in turning flight occur no major impact. A similar approach has long been used for the gravitational stabilization of the artificial horizon .

The magnetic probes used today are more accurate than traditional compasses because only very small masses rotate in the magnetic field and have electrical instead of mechanical pickups. In addition, the probes are mounted far outside the cockpit in order to eliminate the influence of disruptive electrical circuits.