Definition
The horizontal heading of an aircraft expressed as the angle, measured in degrees clockwise from a north reference, toward which the longitudinal axis (nose) is pointing. On a Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) or similar display, aircraft direction is shown by the position of the aircraft symbol or lubber line against the compass card.
Plain English
The way the airplane's nose is pointing, given as a compass number from 0 to 360 degrees.
Context Anchor
Seen in cockpit display figures and safety-system displays where an airplane symbol or arrow shows the direction of the aircraft.
Derivation
Aircraft combines “air” and “craft,” meaning a vehicle made to travel through the air. Direction comes from Latin words meaning “to guide” or “to point.” Together, the phrase points to the way the aircraft is aimed or moving.
Why Pilots Care
Accurate knowledge of aircraft direction is required for navigation, traffic separation, and collision avoidance.
Grounding Statement
On a display, aircraft direction answers the simple question: “Which way is this airplane going or pointing right now?”
Intuition Check
Do not assume aircraft direction always means the route the pilot wants to fly. Here it means the direction the aircraft is actually shown to be facing or moving.
Example Sentence 1
The HSI showed the aircraft direction as 270 degrees, confirming the airplane was pointed due west.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot adjusted aircraft direction to align with the final approach course.