Definition
A gyroscope mounted with its spin axis tilted (typically about 30 degrees up from horizontal) rather than vertical or horizontal. In a turn coordinator, this tilted mounting allows the instrument to sense both roll rate and yaw rate, so it indicates the rate at which the aircraft is rolling into or out of a turn as well as the rate of turn itself.
Plain English
A spinning wheel inside the instrument that is tilted on purpose, so it can pick up two kinds of motion at once — the aircraft rolling onto its side and the aircraft turning.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when learning how a turn coordinator works and why it reacts as the airplane begins to roll into a turn.
Derivation
From the verb 'cant', meaning to tilt or set at an angle. The word comes from older English and Latin roots referring to a slanted edge or corner. Calling the gyro 'canted' simply means it has been set at an angle inside its housing rather than mounted straight up or flat.
Why Pilots Care
Allows the turn coordinator to display rate-of-roll information in addition to rate-of-turn, giving pilots a clearer picture of aircraft motion during turns.
Grounding Statement
Picture the gyro inside the instrument set at a slight angle, so motion from rolling and turning can both affect it.
Intuition Check
Canted does not mean the gyro is broken or installed crooked by mistake. Here it means the gyro is intentionally tilted as part of the instrument’s design.
Example Sentence 1
The turn coordinator uses a canted gyro, which is why the miniature aircraft banks the instant you roll into a turn.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots rely on the canted gyro in the turn coordinator to confirm coordinated flight during instrument approaches.