Definition
Compass heading (CH) is the direction the aircraft's nose is pointed as read directly from the magnetic compass. It is calculated by taking the true heading, applying variation to get magnetic heading, then applying deviation to account for magnetic interference from the aircraft itself. CH is the final heading the pilot actually flies by reference to the compass.
Plain English
The heading number you steer by when looking at the compass in the cockpit, after correcting for the difference between true north and magnetic north, and for small errors caused by the aircraft's own metal and electronics.
Context Anchor
Seen in cross-country planning, navigation logs, and wind-correction problems when converting a planned route into the compass number to fly.
Derivation
From Latin compassus, meaning to step or measure around, and Old English heafod, meaning the front or leading part. Together it means the direction the front of the aircraft is pointing as measured by the compass.
Why Pilots Care
Choosing the correct compass heading lets the pilot counteract wind drift and arrive at the destination instead of being blown off course.
Intuition Check
Compass heading is not the same as the airplane’s path over the ground. It is the direction the nose is pointed as read on the compass.
Example Sentence 1
After applying a 3° east deviation correction to her magnetic heading of 270°, the pilot flew a compass heading of 267°.
Example Sentence 2
After noting the wind, the student set the compass heading to 092 instead of the direct course of 085.