FAA Ground School Practice Test

During a flight, what is the typical standard wind direction notation for weather reporting?

1. Degrees True

2. Degrees Magnetic

3. Degrees Grid

4. Degrees Nautical

The correct answer is: Degrees True

In aviation, weather reporting typically uses degrees true to denote wind direction. This means that wind is reported according to true north, which is based on the geographic North Pole rather than magnetic north. This standard is crucial for flight operations, as many aeronautical charts and navigation systems also reference true north, thereby ensuring consistency in navigation and communication. The use of degrees true is particularly important for pilots when interpreting weather reports and making navigational decisions. It helps them to accurately align their flight paths with wind conditions and other environmental factors that influence flying. This ensures safer and more efficient flight operations, particularly when dealing with changes in wind patterns. Degrees magnetic, grid, and nautical are not commonly employed in standard wind direction reporting. Degrees magnetic would relate wind direction to magnetic north, which can vary based on geographical location and could lead to discrepancies in navigation. Degrees grid typically refers to a coordinate system used in specific mapping applications, and degrees nautical is not a standard measurement relevant to wind direction. Hence, the use of degrees true is the established standard for accurate and effective weather reporting in aviation.