FAA Ground School Practice Test

What is the magnetic heading for a flight from Mercer County Regional Airport to Minot International with a wind from 330° at 25 knots and a magnetic variation of 10° east?

1. 004°

2. 172°

3. 352°

4. 121°

The correct answer is: 352°

To find the magnetic heading for a flight from Mercer County Regional Airport to Minot International, considering a wind from 330° at 25 knots and a magnetic variation of 10° east, it is essential to start by determining the true heading and then adjust for the magnetic variation. Firstly, with the wind coming from 330°, it's important to recognize that the aircraft may drift off course. To maintain the desired course towards Minot International, the pilot will need to apply a correction for wind drift, which is commonly calculated using trigonometric methods or flight planning software. Assuming an initial course (true heading) toward Minot International based on standard flight planning, let's denote that true heading. When calculating the wind correction angle, the pilot will consider the wind's direction and speed. The aim will be to compensate enough to reach the intended destination by applying a heading that is slightly into the wind's direction. Once the adjusted true heading is found, it must be converted to magnetic heading. Given the magnetic variation of 10° east, the adjustment needs to be made by subtracting the variation from the true heading. This combination of adjustments should lead you to the final magnetic heading. If the calculations are carefully followed, the resultant magnetic heading for