What is the track if the true course is 090 degrees and the drift angle is 010 W degrees?

What is the track if the true course is 090 degrees and the drift angle is 010 W degrees?

• A. 080 degrees
• B. 090 degrees
• C. 100 degrees
• D. 110 degrees

Answer: (C)

To determine the track based on true course and drift angle, it's important to understand the relationship between these elements in navigation. The true course is the intended path over the ground, expressed in degrees. The drift angle, whether it's to the east or west, represents the angle that the aircraft is being pushed off its intended path due to wind. In this scenario, the true course is 090 degrees, which is directly east. A drift angle of 010 degrees to the west indicates that the aircraft is being pushed toward the north of its true course. To find the track, you subtract the drift angle from the true course when the drift is to the west. Applying the calculation: 090 degrees (true course) - 010 degrees (drift angle west) equals 080 degrees. Thus, the correct answer would be 080 degrees, not 100 degrees. This makes it crucial to pay attention to the direction of the drift angle and how it interacts with the true course to arrive at the correct track.

To determine the track based on true course and drift angle, it's important to understand the relationship between these elements in navigation. The true course is the intended path over the ground, expressed in degrees. The drift angle, whether it's to the east or west, represents the angle that the aircraft is being pushed off its intended path due to wind.

In this scenario, the true course is 090 degrees, which is directly east. A drift angle of 010 degrees to the west indicates that the aircraft is being pushed toward the north of its true course. To find the track, you subtract the drift angle from the true course when the drift is to the west.

Applying the calculation:

090 degrees (true course) - 010 degrees (drift angle west) equals 080 degrees.

Thus, the correct answer would be 080 degrees, not 100 degrees. This makes it crucial to pay attention to the direction of the drift angle and how it interacts with the true course to arrive at the correct track.