NS100

Gyro and Magnetic Compass

Objectives:
1. Discuss gyrocompass theory and
shipboard application.
2. Describe the differences and relationships
of true bearings, relative bearings and
“per gyro compass” (PGC) bearings.
3. Discuss and describe gyro error and the
methods used to determine gyro error.
4. Demonstrate how to determine and correct
for gyro error.
 Objectives:
5. Describe the purpose and operation of
the magnetic compass.
6. Discuss magnetic theory and application.
7. Define, identify, and solve for
variation, deviation, compass error,
magnetic bearings and true bearings.
 Gyro Compass Theory
•North-seeking gyroscope
•two gimbals Electronically
Stabilized
Gyroscope
 Gyro Compass Theory
•North-seeking Gyroscope
Gyroscopic Inertia
Gravity
Precession
 Gyro Applications
Shipboard Use - two gyros placed
deep in the ship on the centerline.
Primary- (Master gyro) oriented
to north/south, used for
navigation & shiphandling.
Auxiliary- (Back up gyro) oriented
east/west, used for combat
systems.
 Gyro Applications
Bridge - gyro repeaters are located
on the bridge wings, navigation
table, captain’s chair & center line
which is referred to as “centerline
pelorus.”

CIC - Command and Control

System.

Weapons - gyro inputs (i.e..

pitch/roll), are used by fire control
Gyro repeater
 Gyro Error in Navigation
A gyro compass is an electronic/mechanical
device with inherent error…. the key is
knowing the error and adjusting for it
Causes of Error
• Friction
• Ship’s Motion
• Electronic Malfunctions
• Power Fluctuations.
 Gyro Error in Navigation
Determination of Error
• Visual Range ( The most accurate).
• Adjusting Three LOP’s (triangulation).
Used before getting underway.
• Comparing a “PGC” bearing with a known true
bearing.
• Celestial Azimuths and Amplitudes.
• Comparison with a Gyro of known error.
 A 5º westerly error

VA

VA bears 090ºT.
With reference to the Gyro compass it would bear
90º+5º=95º pgc
 A 5º Easterly error

VA

VA bears 090ºT.
With reference to the Gyro compass it would bear
90º-5º=85º pgc
 Gyro error
Gyro Error - is the difference between the gyro
reading and the true bearing.
We can have a West or East Gyro error.
If Gyro is Least, Error is East
If Gyro is Best, Error is West
Gyro bearing +Easterly Error =True bearing
Gyro error
If you are on a range
o
bearing 089 T and the
centerline pelorus reads
o
090 pgc,what is the gyro
error?
 Gyro = 090o and True = 089o,
 Gyro = Best Error = West
 090o - 089o = 1o
 Answer: 1o Westerly Error
Summary
 pgc (per gyro compass)
 Gyro error diff. True and Gyro norths
 Gyro Failure
In the event of gyro failure LOP’s are taken
in relative bearings.
The magnetic compass can be used to know
your ship’s head.
Rel. Bearing+Mag. Ship’s Head=Mag.
Bearing
Then the magnetic heading can be converted
to true bearing.
The variation information is contained in the compass
rose closest to the ship’s DR position

True Bearing = Magnetic Bearing + Variation

(add East Variation or subtract West Variation)
Summary
 pgc (per gyro compass)
Gyro error diff. True and Gyro norths
 M (magnetic)
Variation diff. True and Magnetic norths
 Deviation
Ship’s Magnetic Field
 Deviation
Degaussing
Compass Deviation table
 Magnetic Compass Error
Deviation + Variation = Compass Error
If observed bearing is Least, Error is East.
If observed bearing is Best, Error is West.

Example: Deviation is 2o West & Variation

is 13o East, what is compass error?
Answer: 13o - 2o = 11o East Error
 Applications of Compass Error
Scenario: The USS Boxer just lost it’s gyro
compass while steering 125o T. The conning
officer needs to give a magnetic compass
course. What course do you recommend?
Given: Variation is 8o West from the compass
rose on the chart, annual increase was added
to the variation.
Deviation is 2.5o East from the ship’s
compass card for course 133o M.
Applications of Compass Error
 Truly True Course
 Valiant Variation
 Marines Mag. Mer.
 Don’t Deviation
 Cry Compass
@ Add
Weddings West
 Applications of Compass Error
 T = 125o T
 V = 8o West
 M = 125 + 8 = 133
 D = 2.5o East
 C = 133 + (- 2.5)
Ans = 130.5o pstgc
 Summary
 pgc (per gyro compass)
 Gyro error diff. True and Gyro norths
 M (magnetic)
 Variation diff. True and Magnetic norths
pstgc (per steering compass)
 Deviation  diff. Mag and steering compass norths