But, but. A gyro maintains its rigidity with respect to space. An aircraft traveling at a not inconsiderable speed (400+ knots) is constantly pitching with respect to space (6.7°/hour with respect to the earth, the actual rate with respect to space depends on ones track) ie the gyros (engines) axis of rotation is being changed. Whether this has any relevance to aircraft handling behavior I leave to others.

BA

Yes, you are right, there is a pitch rate as you describe. Without going into the maths, I think the effect is probably negligible.

Many moons ago, in my experience of aerobatics and other vigorous manouevres in jet fighters and trainers, we could get pitch rates of, I guess, well over 10 degrees per second, and I was never aware of any gyroscopic effects in such flying. That's why I have the gut feel that a few degrees an hour is not significant.

ken, you are quite right, when you do the maths they are negligible. The FARs do address gyroscopic loads, and when you read the referenced sections they apply to maneuvers about the three axis.

§ 25.371 Gyroscopic loads.

The structure supporting any engine or auxiliary power unit must be designed for the loads including the gyroscopic loads arising from the conditions specified in §§25.331, 25.341(a), 25.349, 25.351, 25.473, 25.479, and 25.481, with the engine or auxiliary power unit at the maximum rpm appropriate to the condition. For the purposes of compliance with this section, the pitch maneuver in §25.331(c)(1) must be carried out until the positive limit maneuvering load factor (point A2in §25.333(b)) is reached.