Definition
NE is the standard abbreviation for northeast, the compass direction halfway between north (000°/360°) and east (090°), corresponding to a heading or bearing of approximately 045°.
Plain English
NE is short for northeast — the direction that sits exactly between straight north and straight east on a compass, about 045 degrees.
Context Anchor
Pilots may see NE in weather reports, NOTAMs, navigation instructions, airport location descriptions, and chart notes.
Why Pilots Care
Direction abbreviations appear constantly in NOTAMs, METARs, and chart notes. Reading 'NE' confidently as 045° avoids slowing down or misreading operational information.
Intuition Check
Do not read NE as a place name or state abbreviation in this FAA context. Here, NE means the direction northeast.
Example Sentence 1
The NOTAM reported a closed taxiway in the NE corner of the airport.
Example Sentence 2
After takeoff, turn northeast to intercept the airway.