Mechanical gyroscopes -- still used in airplanes?

AI Thread Summary
Mechanical gyroscopes have largely been replaced by fiber optic gyroscopes (FOGs) and ring-laser gyros in modern aircraft over the past two decades. While older aircraft still utilize mechanical gyros, commonly referred to as "steam gauges," this is becoming less frequent, especially in newer models. Low-end Electronic Flight Information Systems (EFIS) typically use MEMS gyros, while high-end systems employ ring-laser technology. FOGs are primarily used in marine applications for gyrocompasses but have not been widely adopted in aviation. Overall, the trend in aviation is moving towards more advanced gyro technologies.
Abokoj
I was a bit unsure where to post this, but this one seemed fitting enough.
I was wondering about the state of gyros in airplanes, like which type is being used today.
Are they all optik/fiber-based or are there mechanical gyroscopes at work. (By mechanical i mean the standard spinning wheel, not sure if it's the right definition. If there aren't when were they last used). I also know of the MEMS gyros but they don't seem quite in the airplane industry yet.
So yeah, I'd appreciate some clarification some example for a gyro would be great. Thanks
 
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I believe that most mechanical gyros have been replaced by FOGs over the last 20 years.

Triaxial FOGs are available as a gyrocompass on ships to determine true north from sensing the Earth's rotation.
 
Older aircraft with "conventional" flight instruments (referred to in aviation, somewhat pejoratively, as "steam gauges") use mechanical gyros. This is still fairly common in single-engine and light twin-engine aircraft -- although it is becoming less so. Low-end Electronic Flight Information Systems (EFIS -- often referred to as "glass-cockpit") use an architecture called an "Attitude Heading Reference Systems" (AHRS - pronounced AE-hars), which uses MEMS gyros. High-end EFIS equipment uses ring-laser gyros. I haven't heard of FOGs being used in aircraft, but it's possible they are.

If you ever have a chance to fly up front in an aircraft that has steam gauges, when electric power is applied before engine start, you can hear a whining noise. That's the turn coordinator or turn & slip gyro spooling up. You won't hear the attitude indicator or directional gyro spool up because they are usually vacuum driven and require the engine to be running.
 
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