FAA Ground School Practice Test

When converting from true course to magnetic heading, what should a pilot do?

1. Add easterly variation and subtract left wind correction angle

2. Add westerly variation and subtract left wind correction angle

3. Subtract easterly variation and add right wind correction angle

4. Subtract westerly variation and add right wind correction angle

The correct answer is: Add westerly variation and subtract left wind correction angle

To convert from true course to magnetic heading, it is essential to consider both the variation and the wind correction angle. In this scenario, adding westerly variation is the correct approach because the magnetic north is west of true north, meaning that you must account for this difference when transitioning from true to magnetic heading. When a pilot is flying with a left wind correction angle, it means that the winds are coming from the left, causing the aircraft to drift to the right of its intended course. To maintain the desired track, the pilot will need to adjust by subtracting the left wind correction angle from the computed magnetic heading. This adjustment helps counteract the drift and keeps the aircraft on the correct path. In summary, to correctly adjust for both variation and wind drift, adding westerly variation and subtracting the left wind correction angle is the proper method to convert true course to magnetic heading successfully.