FAA Ground School Practice Test

Determine the magnetic heading for a flight from Sandpoint Airport to St. Marines Airport with the wind from 215° at 25 knots.

1. 172°

2. 352°

3. 042°

4. 121°

The correct answer is: 172°

To find the magnetic heading for a flight from Sandpoint Airport to St. Maries Airport, the first step is to determine the true course of the flight and then adjust for wind. Assuming the true course between the two airports has been determined, the next step involves calculating the wind correction angle. The aircraft is encountering a crosswind from 215° at 25 knots. This wind will affect the aircraft's ground track, requiring the pilot to adjust the heading to compensate for this wind. In this scenario, with the importance of understanding magnetic headings and how wind affects a flight, setting the heading is crucial. A magnetic heading of 172° indicates that the aircraft should fly slightly east of south, which aligns well with the general direction one might expect when traveling from Sandpoint to St. Maries considering the crosswind. Using wind triangle calculations or drift equations, it would be observed that to maintain the intended track towards St. Maries with the wind coming from the southwest (215°), a heading adjustment would be calculated, leading ultimately to the decision of flying on a magnetic heading of 172°. This calculated heading allows the pilot to counteract the wind effect properly, ensuring that the aircraft arrives at its destination efficiently and safely