•The artificial horizon is run mainly by a gyro

 

•The backing of the instrument is attached to a rapidly spinning gyro

 

•Gyros have a concept called rigidity in space

– This means that the gyro will resist any change in movement out of the plane that is spinning in. Therefore, the backing of the instrument is always level with the horizon

 

•The artificial airplane that you see is fixed to the panel, and therefore follows the helicopter along with the helicopters changes in pitch and roll

 

•That combination gives you the relationship of your aircraft to the real horizon

 

•The Trim ball, tells you if you are in trim… remember step on the ball

 

–Note: Essentially the trim ball is a carpenter's level with no fluid.

In other words the ball rolls to the low side.