Definition
A radar-directed approach used when the pilot's heading indicator (directional gyro) has failed. The controller observes the aircraft on radar and issues simple turn instructions — 'turn left' or 'turn right' — and 'stop turn' commands, rather than specific headings. The pilot makes standard-rate turns until on final approach, then half-standard-rate turns after that, complying immediately with each instruction.
Plain English
An approach where the controller watches you on radar and tells you when to start and stop turning, because your heading instrument has failed and you can't fly assigned headings.
Context Anchor
Used during radar approaches, especially when a pilot’s heading instrument has failed or is unreliable in instrument conditions.
Derivation
No-gyro' literally means 'without a working gyro' — the directional gyro (heading indicator) that normally tells the pilot which way the aircraft is pointing. With that instrument unavailable, the pilot can't be given headings, so the controller substitutes turn commands.
Why Pilots Care
It provides a safe way to complete an approach when gyros fail in flight and builds essential partial-panel proficiency.
Grounding Statement
In a No-Gyro Approach, the controller becomes the pilot’s outside directional guide by using radar to call each turn.
Intuition Check
“No-gyro” does not mean the airplane has no instruments or that the controller is flying the airplane. It means the pilot is not relying on the normal heading gyro, so the controller gives start-turn and stop-turn instructions.
Example Sentence 1
After the heading indicator failed in IMC, the pilot requested a no-gyro approach and followed the controller's turn commands to the runway.
Example Sentence 2
During instrument training the instructor assigned a no-gyro approach so the student could practice flying with only the pitot-static instruments and compass.