How do pilots convert magnetic course to true course for navigation, and what additional factor is applied to obtain the track?

How do pilots convert magnetic course to true course for navigation, and what additional factor is applied to obtain the track?

• A. True course equals Magnetic course + variation; adjust for wind to derive track.
• B. True course equals Magnetic course minus variation; wind ignored.
• C. True course is Magnetic course only; wind is the only factor.
• D. True course is unrelated to magnetic course.

Answer: (A)

Converting magnetic course to true course uses variation. Magnetic course is relative to magnetic north, while charts use true north, so you add the variation (east variation adds, west subtracts) to get the true course. Once you have that true course, wind affects your path, pushing you off line. To stay on the intended route, you apply a wind correction, which adjusts your heading so the resulting path over the ground—the track—aligns with the true course. In other words, you take the true course and factor in wind to obtain the track.

Converting magnetic course to true course uses variation. Magnetic course is relative to magnetic north, while charts use true north, so you add the variation (east variation adds, west subtracts) to get the true course. Once you have that true course, wind affects your path, pushing you off line. To stay on the intended route, you apply a wind correction, which adjusts your heading so the resulting path over the ground—the track—aligns with the true course. In other words, you take the true course and factor in wind to obtain the track.