Which term describes the act of maintaining the desired ground track by adjusting heading to compensate for crosswinds?

Study for the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which term describes the act of maintaining the desired ground track by adjusting heading to compensate for crosswinds?

Explanation:
Tracking is the ongoing act of staying on a desired ground track by counteracting drift with a corrected heading. When a crosswind pushes the aircraft sideways, you use a wind correction angle to point into the wind so the actual path over the ground remains on the intended track. The ground track is the path you want to follow, while tracking describes the process of maintaining that path. The other terms refer to the path itself (track), the broad discipline (navigation), or the adjustment itself (correction), but not the continuous action of staying on course.

Tracking is the ongoing act of staying on a desired ground track by counteracting drift with a corrected heading. When a crosswind pushes the aircraft sideways, you use a wind correction angle to point into the wind so the actual path over the ground remains on the intended track. The ground track is the path you want to follow, while tracking describes the process of maintaining that path. The other terms refer to the path itself (track), the broad discipline (navigation), or the adjustment itself (correction), but not the continuous action of staying on course.

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