Definition
An ATC request directing the pilot to report the aircraft's current magnetic heading in degrees.
Plain English
The controller is asking you to tell them which direction your aircraft is pointing right now, in degrees.
Context Anchor
Heard on the radio during radar service, traffic advisories, or when ATC needs to confirm the direction the aircraft is flying.
Derivation
Say comes from an old English word meaning “to speak” or “tell.” Heading comes from the idea of the “head” or front of something; in aviation, it means the direction the front of the aircraft is pointing.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the aircraft's orientation so the controller can issue accurate vectors or maintain safe separation from other traffic.
Intuition Check
Do not treat “Say Heading” as an instruction to turn. It is a request to report your current heading.
Example Sentence 1
Approach called, 'Cessna Three-Four-Alpha, say heading,' and the pilot replied, 'Heading two-seven-zero, Three-Four-Alpha.'
Example Sentence 2
ATC used 'say heading' to verify the aircraft was flying the assigned course before issuing a turn.