An Improved Azimuth Indicating System for Aircraft

Because of the violent maneuvering possibilities in modern aircraft, the usefulness of azimuth indicators in avigation marine navigational applications. New problems in direction indicating instruments therefore have been introduced, such as the perplexing problem of obtaining indication after loops or rolls. Azimuth indicating systems now used in aircraft have indicating a completely satisfactory solution to such problems. This paper summarizes the progress from the direct reading compasses to monitored gyroscopes and concentrates on the unique problems in aircraft where space limitations, reliability, and operation at all altitudes are important. It indicates how azimuth indicators and auto pilot controls close to the ideal are obtainable by the use of special features including a novel ``nontumbling'' mechanism and an electromagnetic type of gimbal adjusting device.