Which statement best describes the relationship between true headings and magnetic headings in navigation?

Study for the CASA Module 10 Test. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Practice with hints and explanations to ensure success. Prepare thoroughly for the test!

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the relationship between true headings and magnetic headings in navigation?

Explanation:
Magnetic heading is what your compass points to, while true heading uses geographic north as reference. The difference between them is known as magnetic variation, and that variation differs from place to place (and changes slowly over time). To get the magnetic heading from a known true heading, you apply the local variation to the true heading. Add the variation when it is east, and subtract when it is west. For example, a true heading of 090 degrees with 10 degrees east variation becomes a magnetic heading of 100 degrees; with 10 degrees west variation, it becomes 080 degrees. Because variation is location-specific and must be applied to true headings to obtain magnetic headings, this describes their relationship best.

Magnetic heading is what your compass points to, while true heading uses geographic north as reference. The difference between them is known as magnetic variation, and that variation differs from place to place (and changes slowly over time). To get the magnetic heading from a known true heading, you apply the local variation to the true heading. Add the variation when it is east, and subtract when it is west. For example, a true heading of 090 degrees with 10 degrees east variation becomes a magnetic heading of 100 degrees; with 10 degrees west variation, it becomes 080 degrees. Because variation is location-specific and must be applied to true headings to obtain magnetic headings, this describes their relationship best.

More practice questions