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NAU 102
Lesson 18
 Gyro Error

Properly adjusted, gyro errors

seldom exceed 1°

Any error will be the same on all

headings.
 Determining Gyro Errors

Comparing gyro bearing to charted true

bearing of a range or object.
Comparing gyro bearing to computed
true bearing of a celestial object.
Trial and error adjustment of bearings of
3 lines of position.
Comparison with a compass of known
error.
 Gyro Error

Gyro Error is labeled East (E) if the

gyro points to the east or right of the
true meridian.

Labeled West (W) if the gyro points

to the west or left of the true
meridian.
 Memory Aid

“Naming” Gyro Error

Compass Least, Error East

Compass Best, Error West

 Example
If the true bearing of a light is 161° T and
the gyro bearing is 159.5° pgc (per gyro
compass), what is the gyro error?
G 159.5° pgc
1.5°E
E or W?
T 161° T
 Example
3 LOP’s from Gyro Bearings
 Example
Add 1° to each bearing
 Example
Subtract 1° from each bearing

Gyro Error = 1° W
 Applying Known Error

Once error is determined, it should be

applied to all gyro directions.
GET
Gyro + East = True
Therefore, Gyro - West = True
And, True - East = Gyro
 Example
You are steering course 195° pgc. The gyro
error is 2° W. What true course are you
making good?
G 195°
+E - 2° W

T 193°
 Homework Problem #1
The true course between two points is 057°. Your
gyrocompass has an error of 3° east and you
make an allowance of 1° leeway for a north-
northwest wind. Which gyro course should be
steered to make the true course good?
G 054° pgc 054° pgc
+E - 3° E - 1°
T 057°T 053° pgc
Answer
 Homework Problem #3
You are steering 154° per gyrocompass. The wind is
northeast by east, causing 4° leeway. The gyro
error is 3° east, variation is 11° west, and deviation
is 7°E. What is the true course made good?

G 154° pgc 157° T

+E + 3° E + 4°
T 157°T 161° T
Answer
Deviation Table Construction

One method to determine the

deviation of the magnetic compass is
to compare it with a gyrocompass of
known error.
 Homework Problem #7
You are on course 251°pgc and 241° psc, when you observe
a range in line bearing 192°pgc. The chart indicates that
the range is in line on a bearing of 194°T. The variation
is 16°E. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

Step 1 – Determine Gyro Error

G 192° pgc
+E 2° E (Compass Least)
T 194°T
 Homework Problem #7
You are on course 251°pgc and 241° psc, when you observe
a range in line bearing 192°pgc. The chart indicates that the
range is in line on a bearing of 194°T. The variation is 16°E.
What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?

Step 2 – Compute True Heading

G 251° pgc
+E + 2° E
T 253° T
 Homework Problem #7
You are on course 251°pgc and 241° psc, when you observe
a range in line bearing 192°pgc. The chart indicates that
the range is in line on a bearing of 194°T. The variation
is 16°E. What is the deviation of the magnetic compass?
Step 3 – Compute Deviation
T 253° T
V - 16° E
M 237° M
D 4° EWor W?
C 241° psc
 Homework Problem #20
You swung ship and compared the magnetic compass against
the gyro compass to find deviation. Gyro error is 2°E.
The variation is 8°W. Find the deviation on a true
heading of 187°.

HEADING HEADING HEADING

PSC PGC PSC PGC PSC PGC
358.5° - 350° 122.5° - 110° 239.5° - 230°
030.5° - 020° 152.0° - 140° 269.0° - 260°
061.5° - 050° 181.0° - 170° 298.0° - 290°
092.0° - 080° 210.0° - 200° 327.5° - 320°
Magnetic Compasses

Disadvantages
Deviation

No digital output
 Gyrocompasses

Disadvantages
Expensive
Difficult and expensive maintenance
Requires stable power and backup
Takes a long time to stabilize
Introduction to Navigation

Questions?