Plain English Meaning

Headings you figure out ahead of time so you can fly them directly when the moment comes, instead of guessing or correcting after the fact.

Full Definition

Specific compass headings worked out before flight that, when flown precisely, will produce a desired ground track or intercept a course under known wind conditions. They are calculated in advance rather than determined by reacting to drift in real time.

Context Anchor

Used in instrument flying when controlling bank by deciding in advance what heading to turn to, hold, or use as a correction.

Derivation

“Heading” comes from the idea of the direction the head or front of something is pointed. In , it means the direction the ’s nose is pointing, which may not be the same as the exact path the .