FAA Ground School Practice Test

When flying from Dallas Executive to Fort Worth Meacham, what should the pilot consider when calculating the magnetic heading?

1. Elevation

2. Urban terrain

3. Wind direction and magnetic variation

4. Flight path options

The correct answer is: Wind direction and magnetic variation

When calculating the magnetic heading for a flight from Dallas Executive to Fort Worth Meacham, it is crucial for the pilot to account for wind direction and magnetic variation. The magnetic heading, which is the direction the aircraft needs to fly to maintain a course over the ground, is influenced by the Earth's magnetic field and any wind that may affect the aircraft's path. Wind direction affects the aircraft's actual ground track; if the wind is coming from a direction that differs from the desired heading, it can push the plane off course. Therefore, the pilot must adjust the heading to counteract the wind's effect, ensuring that the flight remains on the intended path. Magnetic variation, also known as magnetic declination, refers to the difference between magnetic north (as determined by a magnetic compass) and true north (geographic north). This variation changes depending on geographic location and can impact the accuracy of heading calculations. A pilot must correct for this variation to ensure that the magnetic heading leads to the intended geographic destination. By considering both the wind direction and magnetic variation, a pilot can accurately determine the magnetic heading required to reach Fort Worth Meacham from Dallas Executive efficiently and safely.