FAA Ground School Practice Test

For a flight from Claxton-Evans County Airport to Hampton Varnville Airport, what is the compass heading with the wind from 280° at 8 knots and a magnetic variation of 5° west?

1. 042°

2. 352°

3. 004°

4. 121°

The correct answer is: 042°

To determine the correct compass heading for the flight from Claxton-Evans County Airport to Hampton Varnville Airport, it is essential to first consider the effect of wind and magnetic variation on the desired course. To start, if we assume that the intended course between the two airports is approximately 037° (an example of the true course), we will need to adjust this course for wind correction and magnetic variation. With the wind coming from 280° at 8 knots, it impacts the aircraft's track by pushing it off its intended course, requiring a heading adjustment to maintain the planned navigation route. Next, accounting for the magnetic variation of 5° west means that when you calculate your compass heading, you must add this variation to the magnetic course to find the true heading. If the true heading is adjusted appropriately for the wind, let's assume you require a heading of approximately 037° true to negate the effect of the wind. When you factor in the magnetic variation of 5° west, you add that to your true heading. The calculation for the compass heading is as follows: - Desired true heading (for flight) + wind correction angle = new true heading - New true heading + magnetic variation (since the variation is west)