Abstract
IN Sky and Telescope of January 1944 there is a description of the Gyro Flux Gate Compass System, which has overcome many difficulties for air navigators. It combines the action of the flux of the earth's magnetic field with a gyroscope designed to keep it horizontal in spite of the movements of the aeroplane. It is very much more sensitive than the ordinary compass, and it can be operated close to the earth's magnetic poles, if necessary. The existence of the instrument has been revealed recently, because it is believed that some of the compasses have fallen into the hands of the enemy, though it seems certain that he cannot produce it in great quantity during the present War. A description of the instrument is given; but the technical details are too complicated to be dealt with here. Its practical utility can be judged from the fact that its reading of true compass directions and its reliability under varying conditions have contributed to reduce the number of accidents due to uncertainties in navigation.
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Aeroplane Compass. Nature 153, 679 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1038/153679a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/153679a0