how to determine flight headings

[chelu55]

I have been studying for the ASTB and have a question for all. Hows does one calculate flight headings.
For example 1:
Current heading is 90 degrees and instructed to turn right 30 degrees. What is your new heading?
answer:120 degrees
Example 2:
current heading is 020 and instructed to turn left 45 degrees. What is your new heading?
answer:335 degrees

 

[ben]

It's a circle divided up into 360 degrees. Look at a compass (go to WalMart if you don't have one) and everything will make sense.

N is 0 degrees
E is 90
S is 180
W is 270

Turning right from 90 means you're adding 90+30=120.


Left from 020 means you go back 20 degrees to 0 and then 25 more (25+20=45) to 335. 360-25=335.

Make sense? Sorry if I confused you. To be honest, I can't remember any questions like that on the test. Good luck.

 

[jaerose]

Yeah, just remember if you turn left x degrees to SUBTRACT x from your current heading (L/-) and if you turn right x degrees you ADD x to your current heading (R/+).

Don't forget that N is 0 AND 360...just in case of a tricky question...or if your heading is 320 and the say turn 90 degrees to the right...you cannot get more than 360 so your answer would be 50 degrees. If for some reason you can't remember that, then just remember if you add headings and get something over 360, then subtract 360 from it and you will get the heading (ie 320+90=410, which we know can't happen, so subtract 360...410-360=50, or your heading).

bcgeib...this confused me "Left from 020 means you go back 20 degrees to 0 and then 25 more (25+20=45) to 335. 360-25=335." Why does left from 020 mean go back 20 to zero, then 25 more? Are you supposed to know left means 45 degrees, or did you forget to type that? Same thing for "right from 90" meaning 30 degrees? Sorry, just curious. Hopefully we both helped...not hurt chelu55 =)

JR

 

[chelu55]

I appreciate the replys. It all makes sense know.