Magnetic and
Gyrocompass
STUDY GUIDE FOR CADETS
BY: CAPT. W.L.F Phillips
2016
Magnetic and Gyrocompasses
• Learning Objectives
– Comprehend the differences between true,
magnetic, gyrocompass, and relative direction
reference systems, and apply proper procedures to
make direction conversions from any one system to
any other.
– Understand the basic principles of operation of the
magnetic compass and its advantages and
disadvantages.
– Comprehend the reasons for variation and
deviation and how these might affect the magnetic
compass.
– Apply proper procedures in converting from true
direction to compass direction and vice versa.
Magnetic and Gyrocompasses
• AGENDA:
– Directional reference systems
– The Magnetic Compass
– Magnetic Error (Variation and Deviation)
– Compass Conversion (°T « °M)
– The Gyrocompass
– Gyrocompass Error
Directional Reference Systems
• Directional References
– Relative Bearings (°R) = bearings measured with
reference to the ship’s longitudinal axis
– Magnetic Bearings (°M) = bearings measured with
respect to magnetic north.
– True Bearings (°T) = bearings measured with
respect to true of geographic north.
• Ship’s Head (or heading)
– a special bearing denoting the direction in which the
ship is pointing.
000 T
270 T 090 T
270 R
180 T
000 R
180 R
090 R
Magnetic Compasses
• Operation -
– Magnets within the compass tend to align
themselves with the earth’s magnetic lines of force.
• Construction -
– The compass consists of a circular card, graduated
with 360 degreed around the face.
– A pair of magnets is attached to the underside of the
card, beneath the north-south axis.
– The card floats in the fluid to reduce friction and
dampen the vibrations caused by ship’s movement.
Magnetic Compass Error: Variation
• Variation: the angle between a magnetic
line of force and a geographic (true)
meridian at any location on the earth.
• Causes:
– Variation exists because the earth’s magnetic
and geographic poles are not co-located.
– Magnetic anomalies in the earth’s crust also
contribute to variation.
Magnetic Compass Error: Variation
• Variation changes
from year to year as
the earth’s magnetic
poles tend to wander.
• Variation is printed
inside compass roses.
• Always use the
compass rose nearest
your current DR
position.
Magnetic Compass Error: Deviation
• Deviation: the angle between the actual
magnetic meridian and the north line on
the compass card.
• Causes:
– Deviation is caused by the interaction of the
ship’s metallic structure and electrical
systems with the earth’s magnetic field.
DEVIATION
A ship’s compass also
must deal with
magnetic forces from
the ship itself. The sum
total of these forces
pulls the compass
slightly away from
magnetic north,
producing
DEVIATION.
Magnetic Compass Error: Deviation
• Deviation can be compensated for but
never eliminated.
• A compass table is used, which provides
the value of deviation for every 15
degrees of ship’s head.
• Entering argument for the table is oM
and degaussing on or off (DG ON/DG
OFF)
Magnetic
Compass Error:
Deviation
Compass Conversions
• Converting Compass to True
C D M V T (AE)
( “CADET”- Compass to True add East)
• Converting True to Compass
T V M D C (AW)
EXAMPLE
• What is the true heading if the Standard Compass Heading is 001
degree, Variation is 3 degrees West and Deviation of 1.5 degrees
West (as per deviation card).
SC Heading = 001 C- Can
Deviation = 1.5 (West) D- Dead
Magnetic Heading = 359.5 M- Man
Variation = 3 (West) V- Vote
True Heading = 356.5 T- Twice
NOTE: “CDMT”- Can Dead Man Vote Twice
“CADET”- Compass to True add East
EXAMPLE
• What is the true heading if the Standard Compass Heading is 356.5
degree, Variation is 3 degrees East and Deviation of 1.5 degrees East
(as per deviation card).
SC Heading = 356.5 C- Can
Deviation = 1.5 (East) D- Dead
Magnetic Heading = 358 M- Man
Variation = 3 (East) V- Vote
True Heading = 001 T- Twice
NOTE: “CDMT”- Can Dead Man Vote Twice
“CADET”- Compass to True add East
Gyrocompasses
• A north-seeking gyroscope
• The gyro spins at a very high velocity,
and its spin axis remains aligned with
terrestrial meridians.
• The gyro has three axes:
– spin axis
– torque axis
– precession axis
Gyroscope Theory
The
Gyrocompass
Repeater
Gyrocompass
Pro’s and Con’s
Advantages: Disadvantages
• Seeks geographic (true) • Intricate electronic
north instead of magnetic. instrument.
• Can be used near the earth’s • Requires a constant source
magnetic poles, where of electrical power and is
magnetic compass is sensitive to power
useless. fluctuations.
• Unaffected by surrounding • Requires periodic
metals. maintenance by qualified
technicians.
• Signal can be fed to other
systems (weapons, nav).
Gyrocompass Error
• Although the gyrocompass is a very
accurate instrument, it normally has a
small error associated with its readings.
(normally less than 1o)
• Like the magnetic compass, this error is
expressed as east or west.
Gyrocompass Error
• To remember how to use the gyro error,
two memory aids are commonly used:
If Gyro is best (higher), error is west;
If Gyro is least (lower), error is east.
G.E.T. -- Gyro + East = True
EXAMPLE
• What is the Gyro Compass Error if the Gyro Bearing of the sun is
265 degrees and True Bearing is 264.8 degrees .
Gyro Compass Bearing = 265 Compass is Best
True Bearing = 264.8 - (higher than True)
Gyro Error = 0.2 W
NOTE: to remember easily
Compass Best error West (just change B to W)
Compass Least error East (just remove L)
True Bearing- obtained via Amplitude Method or ABC Method
EXAMPLE
• What is the Gyro Compass Error if the Gyro Bearing of the sun is
264.8 degrees and True Bearing is 265 degrees .
Gyro Compass Bearing = 264.8 Compass is Least
True Bearing = 265 - (lower than True)
Gyro Error = 0.2 E
NOTE: to remember easily
Compass Best error West (just change B to W)
Compass Least error East (just remove L)
True Bearing- obtained via Amplitude Method or ABC Method
Determining Gyro Error
• Methods of determining gyro error:
– Celestial Methods (to be discussed later)
– Observing a visual range.
– Observing bearing to an object while at a
known location.
– Heading while pierside
– Trial and error adjustment of three or more
simultaneous LOPs.
– Compare to gyrocompass of known error.