Definition
Directions measured in degrees clockwise from magnetic north, the direction the north-seeking end of a compass needle points. Magnetic directions differ from true directions by an angular amount called variation, which changes depending on the aircraft's geographic location.
Plain English
A way of describing which way you are heading or pointing, based on where a compass needle says north is, rather than where the actual top of the map is.
Context Anchor
Seen in navigation and instrument flying when correcting between true directions on charts and compass-based directions in the aircraft.
Derivation
From 'magnetic,' relating to the Earth's magnetic field, and 'direction,' the line along which something points or moves. The term highlights that the reference is the magnetic field, not geographic (true) north.
Why Pilots Care
Accurate use prevents navigation errors when the compass does not point to true north.
Analogy
Think of true north as the map’s north and magnetic north as the compass’s north. Magnetic directions are the ones that match the compass reference.
Intuition Check
Magnetic does not mean the airplane, runway, or route is magnetized. It means the direction is measured from magnetic north, the north reference a compass responds to.
Example Sentence 1
The chart showed a true course of 090 degrees, but after applying variation the pilot flew a magnetic direction of 098 degrees.
Example Sentence 2
Runway numbers and airway courses on the chart are given as magnetic directions for direct compass use.