How do gyroscopic instruments work? I'm trying to better my understanding of the physics behind gyroscopic instruments in an aircraft. I am aware that a spinning gyroscope creates rigidity in space by resisting applied forces. But, what exactly is the resistive force acting on the externally applied to forces, and how is it created? Is that what precession is?
I saw this pretty cool video a while ago:

                
            

It gives an intuitive discussion of gyroscopes.

On another level though, it boils down to the angular momentum of the spinning gyroscope, and the fact that in order to change that momentum's direction/magnitude, an external moment must be applied.