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An aircraft in the northern hemisphere makes an accurate rate one turn to the right. If the initial heading was 330°, after 30 seconds of the turn the direct reading magnetic compass should read:
  • A
    less than 060°.
  • B
    more or less than 060° depending on the pendulous suspension used.
  • C
    060°.
  • D
    more than 060°.
Rate 1 turn = 3°/Sec.
30 sec of rate 1 turn => 3 x 30 = 90°

Turning in a clockwise direction (to the right) from 330° means that you will turn towards the North. According to the acronym ‘UNOS’, you will undershoot North, which means that if you want to turn towards a given heading you need to stop your turn earlier (=undershoot). But in this question, there’s no particular heading you want to achieve, as your turn is based on time (30 seconds).

Therefore, you just need to visualize how the compass card is reacting to understand what it should read after 30 sec of turn. The card is lagging behind the turn, which means that for any given angular displacement from your origin, the card will indicate a lower value of magnetic heading. For example, after 20 seconds you have turned from 330° to 030° but the card is not indicating 030°, but 020° (it is lagging and indicating a lower value as 020° < 030°). In the same way, after turning for 30 seconds, you have in reality reached heading 060°, but since your compass is behind the turn, it will indicate a value of let’s say 040° (less than 060°).


Note: The opposite will happen if you make an anticlockwise turn. The card will indicate a higher magnetic heading while lagging behind the turn.

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