Definition
The ability of a magnetic sensing element to align itself with the Earth's magnetic field and indicate the direction of magnetic north. In a remote indicating compass, this property belongs to the flux valve, a sensor mounted in a part of the aircraft (typically a wingtip or vertical fin) where magnetic disturbance from engines and electrical equipment is minimal.
Plain English
It is the property that lets a compass sensor naturally point toward magnetic north, the same way a magnet swings to line up with the Earth's magnetic field.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of remote indicating compass systems, especially the sensing unit that supplies direction information to the cockpit indicator.
Derivation
A plain compound: 'north-seeking' literally means 'seeking north.' The phrase is used because the sensor is not driven or powered to find north — it lines up with the Earth's magnetic field on its own, the way a free-floating magnet does.
Why Pilots Care
It supplies continuous, accurate magnetic heading information without the pilot having to manually reset the compass after turns or maneuvers.
Intuition Check
Do not read “northseeking” as the airplane trying to fly north. Here it means the compass system can detect magnetic north and use it as its reference.
Example Sentence 1
The flux valve's northseeking capability allows the remote indicating compass to provide a stable heading reference to the pilot's display.
Example Sentence 2
During a coordinated turn the northseeking capability keeps the heading reference stable without pilot intervention.