Definition
The magnetic direction, measured in degrees, from the aircraft to a non-directional beacon (NDB) or other navigation station. It is the course the pilot flies to track directly toward the station.
Plain English
The compass direction that points from where you are now straight to the station you're flying to.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when a pilot is intercepting or following a radio-navigation line toward a station or fix.
Derivation
Inbound' means moving toward a destination, and 'bearing' comes from the old sense of 'carrying' or 'pointing toward.' Together, the inbound bearing is the direction that points you toward the station you want to reach.
Why Pilots Care
Allows precise tracking to the station and prevents drifting off course during approach or enroute navigation.
Intuition Check
Inbound does not mean “toward any destination” or simply “toward the airport” here. It means toward the specific station, waypoint, or fix named by the navigation instruction; bearing means a measured direction, not a physical support.
Example Sentence 1
After station passage, the pilot turned to intercept the 030° inbound bearing to the NDB.
Example Sentence 2
Once established on the inbound bearing the ADF needle remained steady at the top of the dial.