Aircraft systems and instrumentsQuestion 550 of 934

What is rigidity in space?

  1. A spinning gyro stays fixed in the plane of its spin
  2. A spinning gyro tilts at once when a force is applied to it
  3. A spinning gyro turns with the aircraft around it
  4. A spinning gyro loses speed when the vacuum falls
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Correct answer: A spinning gyro stays fixed in the plane of its spin

The attitude indicator and the heading indicator use this property.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 8: Flight Instruments — Gyroscopic Flight Instruments — Rigidity in Space, page 217

Practice aircraft systems and instruments

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026