FAA Ground School Practice Test

What is the magnetic variation when determining the magnetic course from Airpark East to Winnsboro Airport?

1. 3*30'E

2. 5*30'E

3. 6*30'E

4. 10*30'E

The correct answer is: 6*30'E

When determining the magnetic course from Airpark East to Winnsboro Airport, understanding magnetic variation is crucial. Magnetic variation refers to the angle difference between true north (geographic north) and magnetic north, and it is expressed in degrees east or west. In this scenario, if the correct answer is given as 6 degrees 30 minutes East, this indicates that the magnetic north is 6 degrees 30 minutes east of true north. This specific variation would be used to convert true headings or courses into magnetic headings, which are necessary for navigation using magnetic compasses. When conducting flight planning, accurately applying the magnetic variation ensures that the pilot follows the intended course while taking into account the directional discrepancies that may arise due to geographic positioning. Therefore, knowing that the magnetic variation is 6 degrees 30 minutes East will help ensure the navigation calculations correspond with actual flight conditions. The other options would represent different variations that would not match the specific navigation requirements for the route in question. Each of those figures would imply different relationships to true north, potentially leading to navigational errors if used incorrectly.