Magnetic Compass
What is magnetic compass?
The magnetic compass is a self-contained instrument that uses magnets aligned with Earth's magnetic field to indicate aircraft heading. A float-and-card assembly pivots inside a fluid-filled housing, where the liquid dampens oscillations and buoyancy reduces wear on the pivot. It needs no electrical power, making it the backup heading reference. Think of it as the aircraft's built-in "needle that always points north"—but watch out, it has predictable errors during turns and acceleration.
Also known as: mag compass, wet compass, whiskey compass
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Related terms
- low level wind shear
- mach buffet
- mach critical
- macho
- magnetic dip
- magnetic heading
- magnetic variation
- magneto