Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

Given the True course of 330° and a variation of 15° E, what is the magnetic heading with a forecast wind from 090° at 25 knots?

1. 323° and 177 knots.

2. 332° and 166 knots.

3. 340° and 177 knots.

The correct answer is: 323° and 177 knots.

To find the magnetic heading, you start with the true course of 330° and apply the magnetic variation. Since the variation is 15° East, you subtract this from the true course to convert it to magnetic heading. So, the calculation would be: 330° (True Course) - 15° (Variation) = 315° (Magnetic Heading). However, the question also states there is a forecast wind from 090° at 25 knots. When calculating the magnetic heading, you must adjust it considering the wind's effect on the aircraft's course. In this scenario, a right drift from the wind coming from the east (090°) would typically push the aircraft off course to the left, requiring a correction to maintain the intended track. Therefore, you might need to adjust slightly to the right to compensate for the drift caused by the wind, leading to an estimate for the magnetic heading of approximately 323°. Additionally, the speed of the aircraft is optimized by considering wind factors as well. With a headwind or a tailwind component, you may also calculate the ground speed, which affects how quickly the aircraft reaches its destination. The heading and speed determined should allow for effective navigation while taking into account the wind's influence