Flying ATC Heading

[kontiki]

I recently got my instrument rating. One of several topics I was never really comfortable with was flying headings in a cross wind.

My flight instructor was clear, if ATC tells you to fly a heading, and you're keeping DG set close to compass, just fly requested heading as shown on DG.

All through the training I did want to use GPS ground track though.

Does ATC make the cross wind correction when they give you a heading to fly?

I've tried looking it up, but couldn't find it anywhere.

Thanks,

 

[ScottM]

If ATC give you a heading, you flying the heading. If the crosswind is not what they expected for the ground track they will adjust your heading.

 

[Gary F]

Fly the assigned heading. If they don't like your ground track they will give you a new heading. You might be asked what heading you are flying if they don't think your ground track agrees with the heading you were given taking into account the forecast winds at your altitude.

 

[roncachamp]

I recently got my instrument rating. One of several topics I was never really comfortable with was flying headings in a cross wind.

My flight instructor was clear, if ATC tells you to fly a heading, and you're keeping DG set close to compass, just fly requested heading as shown on DG.

All through the training I did want to use GPS ground track though.

Does ATC make the cross wind correction when they give you a heading to fly?

I've tried looking it up, but couldn't find it anywhere.

Thanks,

From the Pilot/Controller Glossary:

FLY HEADING (DEGREES)− Informs the pilot of
the heading he/she should fly. The pilot may have to
turn to, or continue on, a specific compass direction
in order to comply with the instructions. The pilot is
expected to turn in the shorter direction to the heading
unless otherwise instructed by ATC.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Not everyone has a GPS to track. So the choices are actually:

(a) Fly the heading assigned; or
(b) Tell ATC to stand by. Switch frequencies to Flight Watch and get the current reported winds aloft. Pull out your E6B and calculate the proper wind correction angle to fly and fly that instead of the heading ATC told you to fly.

 

[roncachamp]

Not everyone has a GPS to track. So the choices are actually:

(a) Fly the heading assigned; or
(b) Tell ATC to stand by. Switch frequencies to Flight Watch and get the current reported winds aloft. Pull out your E6B and calculate the proper wind correction angle to fly and fly that instead of the heading ATC told you to fly.

Choice (a) complies with the instruction, choice (b) does not.

 

[Steve]

I recently got my instrument rating. One of several topics I was never really comfortable with was flying headings in a cross wind.

My flight instructor was clear, if ATC tells you to fly a heading, and you're keeping DG set close to compass, just fly requested heading as shown on DG.

All through the training I did want to use GPS ground track though.

Does ATC make the cross wind correction when they give you a heading to fly?

I've tried looking it up, but couldn't find it anywhere.

Thanks,

This has come up before when discussing what to do when assigned "runway heading" upon departure.

From

JO 7110.65T, Air Traffic Control, and the Briefing Guide


RUNWAY HEADING

− ​

The magnetic direction that

corresponds with the runway centerline extended, not
the painted runway number. When cleared to “fly or
maintain runway heading,” pilots are expected to fly
or maintain the heading that corresponds with the
extended centerline of the departure runway. Drift
correction shall not be applied; e.g., Runway 4, actual
magnetic heading of the runway centerline 044, fly 044.​

http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/ATC.pdf

You have a good instructor. I've met some that don't know this.

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