Definition
The procedure of flying a desired course away from a non-directional beacon (NDB) using the automatic direction finder (ADF), where the pilot maintains the selected magnetic bearing from the station by applying wind correction so that the aircraft's actual ground track matches the intended course away from the NDB.
Plain English
Flying away from a radio beacon along a chosen line on the ground, using the ADF needle to stay on that line and adjusting heading to cancel out any wind drift.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument flying when navigating with an ADF instrument, especially when leaving a station on a chosen bearing.
Derivation
"Track" comes from the Old French 'trac' meaning a path or trail. In aviation, a track is the actual path the aircraft makes over the ground. "Outbound" simply means moving away from a reference point — here, the NDB station. Together they describe following a path away from the beacon.
Why Pilots Care
Correct outbound tracking prevents deviation from the intended departure path, ensuring safe separation and accurate navigation in instrument conditions.
Intuition Check
Tracking outbound does not mean simply flying away from the station. It means staying on the intended path away from the station, including any wind correction needed.
Example Sentence 1
After station passage, the pilot began tracking outbound on the 270 bearing from the NDB, applying a 5-degree wind correction to the right to hold the course.
Example Sentence 2
Wind correction is applied continuously while tracking outbound to keep the ADF needle steady on the tail position.