To measure the angular accelerations around the aircraft's pitch, roll, and yaw axes, which instrument is used?

To measure the angular accelerations around the aircraft's pitch, roll, and yaw axes, which instrument is used?

• A. Gyroscope
• B. Accelerometer
• C. Barometer
• D. Magnetometer

Answer: (A)

The main idea is sensing rotational motion about the aircraft’s axes. A gyroscope provides three-axis angular-rate data, meaning it measures how fast the aircraft is rotating around the pitch, roll, and yaw axes. This rotational-rate information is what you use to track changes in orientation and to infer angular acceleration if you differentiate the rate signals later. Accelerometers, barometers, and magnetometers don’t measure rotation rates—they measure linear acceleration, altitude, and magnetic heading, respectively. So the instrument best suited for measuring motion around those axes is the gyroscope.

The main idea is sensing rotational motion about the aircraft’s axes. A gyroscope provides three-axis angular-rate data, meaning it measures how fast the aircraft is rotating around the pitch, roll, and yaw axes. This rotational-rate information is what you use to track changes in orientation and to infer angular acceleration if you differentiate the rate signals later. Accelerometers, barometers, and magnetometers don’t measure rotation rates—they measure linear acceleration, altitude, and magnetic heading, respectively. So the instrument best suited for measuring motion around those axes is the gyroscope.