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An artificial, or gyro, horizon is the main instrument pilots use to fly through bad weather and low-visibility conditions. It indicates the aircraft's orientation relative to the earth, expressed as pitch, roll, and yaw. This is the first production model, the same type Doolittle used in his historic 1929 "blind flying" test.

Display Status

This object is on display in Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight

Object Details

Date

1929

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

INSTRUMENTS-Flight Management

Manufacturer

The Sperry Gyroscope Co.

Physical Description

4.5in. diameter; air-driven; blue and black background.

Dimensions

3-D: 16.2 × 11.3 × 11.3cm (6 3/8 × 4 7/16 × 4 7/16 in.)

Materials

Cast aluminum, aluminum, nickel-plated brass, glass, brass, wrinkle paint, paint

Inventory Number

A19711850000

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

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