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Magnetic Compass

The magnetic compass contains a compass card attached to a magnetized needle, which is housed in a liquid.

Errors

  • Oscillation errors: Erratic movement of the card caused my turbulence or rough control inputs
  • Deviation errors: Errors caused by the magnetics fields produced by equipment in the aircraft
    • Corrected by the calibration on the compass card
  • Variation errors: Error caused by the difference between true and magnetic north
    • Corrected by isogonic lines
  • Dip errors
    • Acceleration errors: On east or west heading, the compass will show a momentary turn to the north when accelerating, and to the sound when decelerating.
      • Accelerate
      • North
      • Decelerate
      • South
    • Northerly turning errors: On north or south headings, the compass will lead in the north half of the turn, and lag in the south half of the turn.
      • Undershoot
      • North
      • Overshoot
      • South