What's the difference between a turn coordinator and a turn and slip indicator? If you don't know the answer, that's okay. We're going to talk about that today. We're also going to discuss how both of them work.

Gyroscopic Principles and Instruments

If you take a round object and spin it quickly around an axis, the circular object becomes resistant to outside forces. For instance, when you spin a toy top, it's resistant to those side forces that would make it fall over. This is called rigidity in space and forms the principles of a gyroscope.

Both the turn coordinator and the turn and slip indicator are gyroscopic instruments. Your airplane could have either one of these. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms behind them is critical.

The Turn and Slip Indicator

We'll start by discussing the turn and slip indicator. It's essential to note that this instrument is DC electric. This distinction matters because, on most training aircraft, the vacuum system doesn't spin the gyros on the turn and slip indicator like it does on the attitude indicator and the heading indicator. Therefore, if you lose battery power or one of these wires gets cut or ripped, the indicator won't work the way it should.

The Turn Coordinator

The turn coordinator, like the turn and slip indicator, is also DC electric. When you turn on the master switch in your airplane, typically you'll hear the gyro start spinning in both of these instruments. If you don't hear that sound, these things aren't going to work correctly. If either of these instruments loses electrical power, you'll see a red 'off' flag pop up, indicating that the instrument is not working correctly.

Working of the Turn and Slip Indicator

The turn and slip indicator doesn't provide banking information. Instead, it tells you whether you're in a left or right turn. You can also glean information from it to execute a two-minute turn. The turn and slip indicator operates on the principle of gyroscopic procession.

Understanding Gyroscopic Precession

Gyroscopic precession is a concept that states that anytime a force is applied to a spinning gyroscope, a resultant force occurs 90 degrees ahead of the force applied along the plane of rotation. This fundamental principle underlies how the turn and slip indicator works to indicate our rate of turn in an airplane.

The Turn Coordinator and Its Function

The turn coordinator works similarly to the turn and slip indicator. However, the gimbal that holds the gyro is tilted at a 30-degree angle, making the turn coordinator sensitive to the banking motions of the airplane. It provides initial bank indications and your turn rate, but it does not indicate your bank angle, a common misconception.

The Inclinometer

Both the turn coordinator and turn and slip indicator have an inclinometer, often referred to as the slip-skid indicator by pilots. The inclinometer is a simple tool comprising a ball inside of a curved glass tube that moves as forces act on the airplane. It helps maintain coordinated flight by indicating whether the airplane is skidding or slipping during a turn.

Difference Between the Turn Coordinator and the Turn and Slip Indicator

While both instruments indicate our rate of turn and provide slip and skid indications, the turn coordinator has an additional function: it also provides banking indications and a visual picture of roll rate. Remember, though, that it does not indicate your bank angle.

Conclusion

Understanding these instruments and their differences is crucial for both new pilots and experienced pilots. The turn coordinator and turn and slip indicator are instrumental in maintaining proper orientation and controlling your aircraft in flight. Remember, practice and understanding are key to mastering their use. Whether you're preparing for an exam or seeking to become a more skilled pilot, knowledge of these devices can help you navigate the skies safely and efficiently.