Didn't we all agree long ago that the gyroscope thing was just a demonstration tool and an easy way to dumb down a complex topic?
In truth, gyroscopic precession is a crazy thing that tops and the like do when they lean from the vertical. The explanation for the GP goes something like the explanation for what a helicopter's rotors do.
Okay, Regis, FINAL ANSWER.....(from a physicist and helicopter guy) not only does gyroscopic precession have nothing to do with helicopters, the rotors don't even PRECESS!!!! (unless you stir the cyclic)
Matthew.