Erect

verbStandard termAviation

To spin up and align a gyroscopic flight instrument to its proper reference plane.

To spin up and align a gyroscopic flight instrument, such as an attitude indicator or heading indicator, to its proper vertical or horizontal reference plane. Mechanical gyros take several minutes to erect after engine start as the vacuum pump or electrical system brings them up to operational speed.

Heard on the job

Give the artificial horizon a minute to erect before you start taxiing.