Definition
A specific bearing or radial value of 120 degrees, measured clockwise from magnetic north. In the DME arc context, it identifies a particular radial extending outward from a VOR/DME station along which the aircraft is positioned or to which it is being directed.
Plain English
A direction reading of 120 degrees on the compass, measured clockwise from north. When used with a VOR station, it points to or from the station along that line.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument procedure diagrams and DME arc instructions where turns, courses, radials, or bearings are shown by degree values.
Derivation
The degree symbol, °, marks one small part of a circle. A full circle has 360 degrees, so 120° means 120 of those small parts measured around the circle.
Why Pilots Care
The angle determines how far to track the arc, when to start the inbound turn, and the correct lead radial for a smooth intercept without overshooting the final approach course.
Analogy
Think of a compass like a clock face laid flat, but with 360 marks instead of 12 numbers. 120° points to a specific mark on that circle.
Intuition Check
Do not read 120° as an altitude, speed, or distance. Here it is an angle or direction, and the surrounding label tells you exactly how to use it.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot intercepted the 120° radial outbound from the VOR before turning onto the 10 DME arc.
Example Sentence 2
For a right-hand DME arc, the lead radial was located 120° from the final approach course.