Which term describes the direction an aircraft is pointed with respect to magnetic north?

• A. Magnetic bearing
• B. Magnetic compass
• C. Magnetic heading
• D. Magneto

Answer: (C)

The direction the airplane’s nose is pointed relative to magnetic north is called magnetic heading. It’s the orientation of the aircraft expressed in degrees magnetic, and it’s the reading you rely on to know where you’re pointing. The heading indicator shows this value, and you adjust it to stay on your intended course, accounting for wind and drift.

This is different from magnetic bearing, which is the direction from your current position to another point (like a VOR or waypoint) and doesn’t describe where the aircraft is pointing. The magnetic compass is the instrument that indicates direction with respect to magnetic north, but the term here refers to the airplane’s pointing direction itself. A magneto, meanwhile, is part of the ignition system and has nothing to do with direction.