Skip to main content
HomeGlossary › Heading

Heading

Heading is the direction in which the longitudinal axis (nose) of the aircraft is pointed, expressed in degrees clockwise from north (001-360). Heading differs from track (the actual path over the ground) when crosswind is present.

  • Magnetic heading: Referenced to magnetic north (used for flying)
  • True heading: Referenced to true north (used on charts in polar regions)
  • Compass heading: Magnetic heading corrected for compass deviation errors