SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-compass-acceleration-error

Accelerating on an east or west heading, the magnetic compass shows what in the Northern Hemisphere?

A false turn toward north. Remember ANDS.

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

Why: The compass card tilts when you speed up or slow down, and magnetic dip pulls it off. Remember ANDS: Accelerate North, Decelerate South. It shows up on easterly or westerly headings.

Huh, didn't know that: Decelerating on those same headings makes the compass show a false turn toward south.

The dad joke
My compass and I broke up. We were heading in different directions.
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Sources

  1. FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 8 https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/faa-h-8083-25c.pdf

Test yourself in the game

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