Direction on the Earth

True Direction

Direction in navigation are normally measured clockwise

from a given datum. True North has been defined as the
direction in which one would have travel from any point
on the earth’s surface to reach the North Pole.

True direction is expressed as an angle measured

clockwise from True North
Magnetic Direction

The direction of Magnetic North at any point defines the

magnetic meridian at that point i.e. local magnetic
north.

The north magnetic pole is not coincident with the true

pole, a difference between the true and magnetic
meridians occurs. This anguler difference may vary
between 0o and 180o and is called varitaion.

Variation is measured either west or east from true

North. If the magnetic north lies to the west of true
north , the variation is said to be westerly, If the
magnetic north lies to the east of true north , the
variation is said to be easterly
Westerly
variation
Easterly
variation
Deviation

Any ferromagnetic material (iron or steel) or electrical

circuits in an aircraft may well have a magnetic field
which will affect the compas, so that the direction
indicated by the compass needle will not be magnetic
north.

Deviation is the angle between Magnetic North and

compass North measured in degrees east or west from
magnetic north
Westerly
deviation

Heading
True = 100o
Variation =
25oW
Heading
Magnetic =
125o
Deviation =
10oW
Heading
Compass =
135o
Easterly
deviation

Heading
True = 100o
Variation =
25oW
Heading
Magnetic =
125o
Deviation =
10oE
Heading
Compass =
115o
Relationship between Compass, Magnetic and True
Directions
Example 1

An aircraft is steering 247o on the compass. The

variation is 13oE and there is 1oW compass deviation.
What is the aircraft’s true heading ?

Solution
Deviation west, which means the heading o(M) is less
than compass
Heading o(M) = 247o - 1o = 246o(M)
Variation east, which means the heading o(T) is greater
than magnetic
Heading o(T) = 246o + 13o = 259o(T)
Example 2

An aircraft is to fly a heading of 090o(T). If the variation

is 6oW and the compass deviation is 3oW, what heading
is required on the compass to achieve the desired true
heading ?

Solution
Variation west, which means the heading o(M) is greater
Heading o(M) = 090o + 6o = 096o(M)
Deviation west, which means the heading o(C) is greater
Heading o(C) = 096o + 3o = 099o(C)
Exercise