Definition
The specific track over the ground that a pilot intends to fly between two points, expressed as a magnetic or true bearing in degrees. It is the planned course line, distinct from the actual track being flown at any given moment.
Plain English
The path you have decided to fly from one point to another, shown as a direction in degrees. It is the line you are trying to stay on, not necessarily the line you are currently on.
Context Anchor
Seen in GPS, RNAV, flight planning, and navigation displays when showing the route the aircraft is supposed to follow.
Derivation
“Desired” means wanted or intended. “Course” comes from an older word meaning a run or path. Together, the words point to the path the pilot intends the aircraft to follow.
Why Pilots Care
Staying on the desired course keeps the aircraft on the planned route, supports accurate fuel and time calculations, and ensures compliance with ATC clearances and airspace boundaries.
Intuition Check
Do not read “course” here as a class or lesson. In navigation, course means the planned path or direction of travel over the ground.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff, the pilot turned to intercept the desired course of 270 degrees toward the next waypoint.
Example Sentence 2
A crosswind pushed the airplane off the desired course, so the pilot adjusted the heading to regain the centerline on the course deviation indicator.