Final answer:
If gyro stabilized heading indicators are suspected to be in error, cross-check with other instruments like the magnetic compass or GPS. Maintain aircraft heading with these references while resetting or recalibrating the gyroscopes. Gyroscopes maintain angular momentum due to rigid rotor spinning and conservation laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you suspect your gyro stabilized heading indicators are in error, the first thing to do is cross-check with other navigation instruments like the magnetic compass. In an aircraft, the magnetic compass is a reliable source of heading information, especially when the aircraft is flying straight and level. Pilots may also use GPS systems as a reference. In case of a discrepancy, you should follow standard procedures, which may include recalibrating or resetting the gyroscopic instruments. The issue of maintaining the direction of angular momentum in gyroscopes despite forces and accelerations comes down to the gyroscope's inherent properties. Gyroscopes exhibit rigid rotor spinning, which gives them the ability to resist changes in their axis of rotation due to the conservation of angular momentum, a fundamental principle of physics.