Definition
The direction in which the aircraft's nose is pointed, expressed in degrees from 000° to 359° measured clockwise from north. Heading is referenced to either magnetic north (magnetic heading) or true north (true heading), depending on the instrument or chart being used.
Plain English
The compass direction the airplane's nose is pointing right now.
Context Anchor
Seen on flight instruments, navigation instructions, autopilot controls, and written abbreviations such as HDG.
Derivation
From the old sailing term 'heading,' meaning the direction a ship's bow was pointed. Aviation borrowed the word directly because the idea is the same — where the front of the craft is aimed.
Why Pilots Care
Maintaining the correct heading is essential for navigation, course tracking, and safe separation from terrain or traffic.
Intuition Check
Do not assume heading means the destination or the exact track across the ground. In this context, heading means where the aircraft’s nose is pointed.
Example Sentence 1
ATC instructed the pilot to turn right to a heading of 270 degrees.
Example Sentence 2
ATC instructed the aircraft to turn right to a heading of 270.