compass adjustment

[′käm·pəs ə′jəs·mənt]

(navigation)

The process of neutralizing the magnetic effect a craft exerts on a magnetic compass: permanent magnets and soft iron correctors are arranged about the binnacle so that their effects are nearly equal and opposite to the magnetic material in the craft, thus reducing the deviations and eliminating the sectors of sluggishness and unsteadiness.

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References in periodicals archive

Clockwise from upper left: Professionals have a calibrated sight compass used specifically for compass adjustments. This makes it a two-person task; one manning the sight compass (to line up the aircraft) and the other operating the aircraft while making the adjustments to the compass, plus making note of compass error.

Mag compass upkeep: more than fluid fills: you might save money by helping with time-consuming calibrations, but a new replacement makes better sense than attempting major bench repairs

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