Definition
A specific compass heading the pilot has chosen in advance as the target on which to roll out of a turn. The pilot establishes a bank, monitors the heading indicator as the aircraft turns, and begins the rollout before reaching the target heading so that wings level coincides with the chosen heading.
Plain English
A heading you've decided on before starting the turn, so you know exactly where you want to stop turning.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument flying when practicing or performing a turn to a selected heading on the heading indicator.
Derivation
From Latin praedeterminare, 'to settle beforehand.' The idea is simple: the heading is decided before the turn begins, not chosen partway through.
Why Pilots Care
Enables precise orientation and navigation when visual references are unavailable and the heading indicator cannot be referenced during the turn.
Intuition Check
Predetermined does not mean guessed during the turn; it means selected before the turn starts. Heading means the direction the aircraft’s nose points, not simply where the aircraft happens to be moving over the ground.
Example Sentence 1
ATC assigned a heading of 270, so the pilot began a standard-rate turn and started the rollout a few degrees early to arrive smoothly on the predetermined heading.
Example Sentence 2
Using the clock method, the aircraft rolled out on the predetermined heading for the holding pattern entry.