Heading
Heading is the direction the nose of the aircraft is pointing, expressed as an angle measured clockwise from a reference direction (true north, magnetic north, or compass north). Heading differs from track (the actual direction of movement over the ground) due to the wind correction angle (crab angle) applied to compensate for wind.
Types of Heading
- True heading: Referenced to true north; derived from true course by applying wind correction angle
- Magnetic heading: True heading corrected for magnetic variation; what the magnetic compass should read in zero-deviation conditions
- Compass heading: Magnetic heading corrected for compass deviation; the actual heading shown on the compass
Heading and Track
In still air, heading equals track. In a crosswind, the pilot crabs into the wind — the nose points to one side of the intended track. The heading is offset from the track by the wind correction angle (WCA). For example, with a track of 090° and a WCA of 10° left, the magnetic heading would be 080°.
On the TC Written Exam
The distinction between heading, track, and course is regularly tested. The TVMDC conversion chain (True → Variation → Magnetic → Deviation → Compass) converts between heading types.