FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Navigation and ATCMedium
An aircraft's heading indicator fails while being vectored for a surveillance approach in IMC. How does ATC assist the pilot in maintaining approach guidance under a no-gyro approach?
- AThe approach is discontinued because no-gyro approaches are not authorized without a functioning heading indicator
- BATC issues specific magnetic headings to fly, and the pilot cross-checks the magnetic compass
- CATC transfers control to the tower, which provides visual light-gun signals for turns
- DATC issues 'turn left/right' and 'stop turn' instructions, and the pilot uses standard rate turns unless told otherwise
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. ATC issues 'turn left/right' and 'stop turn' instructions, and the pilot uses standard rate turns unless told otherwise
In a no-gyro approach, since the aircraft's heading reference is unreliable, ATC issues turn instructions ('turn left,' 'turn right,' 'stop turn') rather than specific headings. The pilot uses standard rate turns unless instructed to use half-standard rate (typically inside the final approach fix).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. No-gyro approaches are specifically designed to be flown without a functioning gyroscopic heading indicator.
- B. Specific headings cannot be flown accurately with a failed heading indicator; hence the no-gyro technique.
- C. Light-gun signals are used for lost communications in the traffic pattern, not gyro failures.
No-Gyro Approach
A radar approach technique used when an aircraft's gyroscopic heading indicator has failed, using turn/stop-turn instructions instead of headings.
- ATC issues 'turn left/right' and 'stop turn' calls
- Standard rate turns used, half-standard inside FAF
- Conducted via ASR (surveillance) or PAR approach
Memory trick: 'No gyro, no headings — just start and stop the turn'