Remote Indicating Compass

Overview

The remote indicating compass (RIC) is an addition to a heading indicator which includes a magnetic sensor (normally installed in the plane's wing-tip). The sensor detects magnetic direction and sends the information to the heading indictor. This process is known as slaving - the heading indicator should not have to be corrected for precession since the remote indicating compass corrects for this precession.

To answer test questions

If you are showing a magnetic heading on your heading indicator which is 'higher' than the magnetic heading shown on the remote indicating compass, then you need to turn the compass card on the heading indicator 'clockwise'
If you are showing a magnetic heading on your heading indicator which is 'lower' than the magnetic heading shown on the remote indicating compass, then you need to turn the compass card on the heading indicator 'counter-clockwise'
You turn the compass card in the direction of the deflection of the remote indicating compass deflection

As can be seen to the left, the Remote Indicating Compass (the rectangular unit at the bottom of the picture) is showing a left deflection or a 'lower' magnetic heading. This means that the RIC is saying that the heading indicator needs to be adjusted to a 'lower' indicated heading. So, on a heading indicator, less is always to the left, so you have to turn the compass card to the right (clockwise).

1) Set the RIC to slaved mode
2) Note the indication (minus or plus)
3) Turn the heading indicator in the opposite direction of that the RIC is showing (if the RIC is showing a deflection to the right, turn the heading indicator to the left, if the RIC is showing a deflection to the left, turn the heading indicator to the right)