Plain English Meaning

It is the arrow tip on the HSI that shows you which way the course you have dialed in is pointing. Whichever number on the compass card the arrow is touching is the course you have selected.

Full Definition

On a Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI), the course-indicating arrowhead is the pointer at the head of the course-select needle that shows which direction along the selected course points outbound from the aircraft. It rotates with the compass card as the course is set, and the heading the arrowhead aligns with on the compass card is the selected course in degrees.

Context Anchor

Seen on the HSI when selecting, confirming, or following an instrument course.

Derivation

Course comes from a Latin word meaning a running or path. Indicating means pointing out. Arrowhead is the pointed end of an arrow. Together, the term means the pointed part of the instrument arrow that points out the selected path.

Why Pilots Care

Allows to quickly confirm the selected course heading without misinterpreting the instrument .