FAA Ground School Practice Test

The numbers 9 and 27 on a runway indicate that it is oriented approximately at which magnetic heading?

1. 090° and 270° magnetic

2. 180° and 360° magnetic

3. 045° and 225° magnetic

4. 120° and 300° magnetic

The correct answer is: 090° and 270° magnetic

The numbers on a runway represent its magnetic heading, rounded to the nearest ten degrees and divided by ten. Thus, runway numbers are derived from the magnetic compass heading in which the runway is oriented. In this case, the numbers 9 and 27 indicate that the runway is oriented approximately at magnetic headings of 90 degrees and 270 degrees, respectively. Specifically, runway 9 is facing toward the east (90 degrees) and would be the approach for arriving aircraft from that direction, while runway 27 is facing toward the west (270 degrees) for departures or arrivals from that direction. Understanding runway orientation is crucial for pilots as it aids in navigation and aligning the aircraft correctly with the intended flight path. Pilots must also be aware of the magnetic variations and changes, as these can affect the accuracy of the headings. The other choices presented do not correspond to the runway numbers 9 and 27, which directly relate to their respective magnetic headings.