If the gyrocompass error is east, what...

🔍 Key Concepts

• Gyrocompass error notation: “East” or “West” tells you whether the compass reading is higher or lower than true. • Relationship: True = Gyro ± error (compare which is larger numerically). • How “east error” compares gyro heading to true heading (is gyro ahead of or behind true?).

💭 Think About

• Imagine a case where the true heading is 090°T and the gyro has an east error of 5°. What could the gyro be reading — 085°G or 095°G? Which one makes sense for an east error? • Once you decide whether the gyro reading is larger or smaller than true when the error is east, ask: to get from the gyro reading to true, do I need to add or subtract the error? • Think about the phrase: “East is least, West is best” as often used for magnetic variation/deviation. Does the same pattern apply directly to gyro, or is the sense reversed when describing gyro error?”

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear whether “east error” means compass is east of true or true is east of compass. • Check which choice correctly describes if gyro readings are too high (large numerically) or too low (small numerically) with an east error. • Confirm that the chosen option’s math gives a consistent result in a simple example (e.g., 090°T with a small east error).

If the gyrocompass error is east, what describes the error and the correction to be made to gyrocompass headings to obtain true headings?

The readings are too high, and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true

The readings are too low, and the amount of the error must be subtracted from the compass to obtain true

The readings are too low (small numerically), and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true

The readings are too high (large numerically), and the amount of the error must be added to the compass to obtain true

🔍 Key Concepts

💭 Think About

✅ Before You Answer