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An aircraft, flying at 20°N latitude, executes a left turn from 045° Magnetic Heading (MH) to 315° (MH). The pilot reads the MH indication from a Direct Reading Magnetic Compass (DRMC). Before commencing the turn, what should the pilot take into consideration?

1. He/she should roll out when the DRMC reads 335°, to read 315° MH with the wings level
2. He/she should roll out when the DRMC reads 295°, to read 315° MH with the wings level
3. The turning error of the DRMC increases as the bank angle increases
4. A timed turn would be more practical to execute; it would take 30 seconds with a rate-1 turn
5. A timed turn would be more practical to execute; it would take 90 seconds with a rate-1 turn

  • A

    1, 3 and 4.

  • B

    1, 3 and 5.

  • C

    2, 3 and 4.

  • D
    2, 3 and 5.

Turning errors are greater on North/South headings and at high latitudes as they are directly related to the vertical component of the magnetic field of the Earth.

An easy way to remember the turning errors is by using the acronym ‘UNOS’:

• UN – Undershoot = Under-turn North

• OS – Overshoot = Over-turn South


In this case, we will have to under-turn, since we are on the northern half of the compass.

  • If the desired magnetic heading is 315°, we should under-turn by roughly 20° (335°). This will make the compass read a value of 315° once wings are level.
  • A standard turn equals 3°/sec. Since we are turning through 90°, it would take us 30 seconds.

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