The Turn Rate Indicator - Its Interpretation as Affected by Installation and True Airspeed

The effects of mounting an airplane turn rate gyro at various angles relative to the roll axis of the vehicle have been investigated in flight. The range of suitable mounting angles varies not only with the amount of roll rate sensing desired for lead information, but also with the true airspeed of the airplane. Tilting the gyro in a face-up direction, as occasionally happens on a slightly inclined instrument panel, might have disastrous results if the instrument is relied on for recovery from an unusual attitude. Turn rate information is of very limited value on airplanes having high subsonic cruise speed.