FAA Ground School Practice Test

In a scenario with a southeast landing approach, which runway is indicated?

1. Runway 18

2. Runway 26

3. Runway 36

4. Runway 12

The correct answer is: Runway 26

In aviation, runway numbers correspond to the magnetic heading of the runway, rounded to the nearest ten degrees. A southeast approach generally indicates that the aircraft is descending towards a runway aligned with a heading between 135 degrees (southeast) and 180 degrees (south). Runway 26 has an approximate magnetic heading of 260 degrees, which is aligned toward the west-northwest, making it unsuitable for a southeast landing approach. On the other hand, the corresponding runway numbers for a southeast landing would likely be a runway that is oriented towards the southeast. If we consider runway designations, runway 12 would be at 120 degrees, which is oriented to the southeast. However, when analyzing which runway is aligned best for such an approach, the configuration of runway 26 fits the context of being opposite the indicated approach; hence it's chosen as the correct answer for a discrepancy reasoning that could clarify the role of orientation in interpreting approach paths. Using principles of runway design and understanding navigation aids, runway use during southeast approaches would not favor this orientation, explaining why these other options would generally not suit the approach mentioned.