Plain English Meaning

Flight instruments that work by spinning a small wheel inside them. Once spinning, the wheel resists being moved, which gives the instrument a steady reference the aircraft can be measured against.

Full Definition

Cockpit instruments that use a spinning wheel (a gyroscope) to provide stable references for aircraft attitude, heading, and turn information. The most common examples are the attitude indicator, heading indicator, and turn coordinator.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of flight instruments, especially the attitude indicator, heading indicator, and turn indicator or turn coordinator.

Derivation

From the Greek 'gyros' meaning 'circle' or 'turn' and 'skopein' meaning 'to see or observe.' A gyroscope is literally a 'turn-watcher' -- a device that uses spinning motion to changes in .