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At the magnetic equator, when accelerating on a westerly heading, a direct reading pivot suspended compass:
  • A
    indicates a turn to the south.
  • B
    underreads the heading.
  • C
    overreads the heading.
  • D
    indicates the correct heading.
At the magnetic equator, the dip angle induced by the vertical component of the Earth’s magnetic field is insignificant (equal to zero). Knowing that all the turning and acceleration errors occur because the pivot point and the CG of the pendulous magnet are not aligned, no errors would occur at the magnetic equator.
An easy way to remember the acceleration errors is by using the acronym ‘ANDS’:
  • AN – Accelerate = apparent turn to the North.
  • DS – Decelerate = apparent turn to the South.

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