SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/ifr-compass-ands

Accelerating on an east or west heading, what does the magnetic compass briefly show?

A turn toward north. Remember ANDS.

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  1. A turn toward north ✔
  2. A turn toward south
  3. No change at all

Why: When you speed up on an east or west heading, the compass card tilts and shows a turn toward north. Slowing down shows a turn toward south. ANDS stands for Acceleration North, Deceleration South.

Huh, didn't know that: Oscillation error combines all the other compass errors and makes the card swing back and forth.

The dad joke
An airline pilot says: 'I have good news and bad news. The bad news is we're lost. The good news is we're making good time.'
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References

Answer: A turn toward north. When you speed up on an east or west heading, the compass card tilts and shows a turn toward north. Slowing down shows a turn toward south. ANDS stands for Acceleration North, Deceleration South.

  1. FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 8: Flight Instruments www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/10_phak_ch8.pdf
    When accelerating on either an easterly or westerly heading, the error appears as a turn indication toward north.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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Test yourself in the game

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