What type of instruments are AI/AH and DI/TC examples of?

AI (Attitude Indicator) and AH (Altimeter Heading) as well as DI (Directional Indicator) and TC (Turn Coordinator) are examples of gyroscopically operated instruments. These instruments rely on the properties of gyroscopes to provide accurate readings of aircraft orientation and heading.

Gyroscopic instruments work by using a spinning wheel or disc, which maintains its orientation due to the principles of angular momentum. This allows the instrument to remain stable and provide precise information about the aircraft's attitude (its position relative to the horizon) and its heading (the direction the aircraft is facing).

In contrast, instruments that are electrically operated rely on electrical systems to function, while pitot tube instruments depend on air pressure for airspeed and altitude readings. Vacuum-operated instruments, often found in some general aviation aircraft, use a vacuum source to drive certain types of gyroscopic instruments, but the specific instruments mentioned rely on gyroscopic operation rather than a vacuum or electrical systems.

Thus, this classification of AI/AH and DI/TC as gyroscopically operated accurately describes their fundamental operating mechanism, distinguishing them from other categories of flight instruments.