What is the gyro difference between the turn indicator and the turn coordinator?

• A. Turn indicator's gyro is angled upward 30 degrees
• B. Turn indicator and turn coordinator have identical gyros
• C. Turn indicator uses a horizontal gyro
• D. Turn coordinator's gimbal frame is angled upward 30 degrees from the long axis

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is how the gyro is mounted and how that affects what the instrument senses. In a turn coordinator, the gyroscope is mounted on a gimbal frame that is angled upward about 30 degrees from the aircraft’s longitudinal axis. That cant makes the gyro respond not only to yaw (rate of turn) but also to roll, so as you roll into a turn you get a quicker, more intuitive indication of the turning tendency. The turn indicator, by contrast, has its gyro oriented differently and does not share that same cant, so it primarily shows yaw rate and isn’t as sensitive to roll during entry. Because of this mounting difference, the turn coordinator’s gimbal being angled upward 30 degrees is the correct distinction.