Definition
An air traffic control instruction directing the pilot to turn to and maintain a specific magnetic heading, expressed in degrees, without correcting for wind drift unless otherwise instructed. The pilot is expected to turn in the shorter direction to the assigned heading unless ATC specifies otherwise.
Plain English
ATC is telling you to point the nose of the aircraft in a specific compass direction and hold it there. You fly that exact direction on the heading indicator, even if wind pushes you off track.
Context Anchor
Heard on the radio when air traffic control is guiding an aircraft’s path, such as during departure, arrival, approach, or traffic avoidance.
Derivation
“Heading” comes from the idea of the direction the aircraft’s nose, or head, is pointed. “Degrees” are the numbered divisions of a compass circle, from 001 through 360, which lets a controller give an exact direction instead of saying only north, south, east, or west.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures proper navigation, traffic separation, and compliance with ATC clearances.
Intuition Check
Do not read “degrees” here as how much to turn or how steeply to bank. It means the compass heading to fly, stated as a degree number.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff, the controller said, 'Fly heading 090, climb and maintain 3,000.'
Example Sentence 2
The controller issued fly heading 090 to intercept the localizer.