PILOT ARCADE ALL MISSIONS

FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS / MISSION 04

Magnetic Compass Error Trainer

Turning Error · Acceleration Error · Magnetic Dip

LIVE INSTRUMENT COMPARISON

Actual heading vs. magnetic compass

CONCEPT MODEL
A visual instrument comparison requires canvas support.
STEADY
COMPASS BEHAVIOR

Compass Error Journey

READY
BEHIND TURNACTUALAHEAD OF TURN
1 · ACTUAL HEADING 090° CHOOSE A MANEUVER
2 · COMPASS RESPONSE SETTLED ACTUAL AND COMPASS ALIGNED
3 · PILOT ACTION NO CORRECTION CONNECT THE RESPONSE TO UNOS
Turn maneuver090° ↷ 180°
Run a complete turn, then watch the compass settle after rollout.
Direction
Amount
READYSET THE START HEADING IN SETUP CONTROLS
Acceleration behaviorSTEADY
Compare the compass response while speeding up or slowing down.

The visual separation teaches direction and relative strength—not a precise number of degrees for a specific aircraft.

TURNING ERROR

UNOS

Undershoot North. Overshoot South in the Northern Hemisphere.

ACCELERATION ERROR

ANDS

Accelerate North. Decelerate South on east or west headings.

WHERE IT MATTERS

DIP EFFECT

Turning error peaks near north/south. Acceleration error peaks near east/west. Both reverse in the Southern Hemisphere.

FREE MAGNETIC COMPASS ERROR PRACTICE

Visualize turning and acceleration errors

Explore how magnetic dip affects a conventional magnetic compass during turns and changes in airspeed. The animated trainer connects familiar memory aids with the compass indication pilots actually observe.

Turning error

Practice northerly and southerly turning behavior and see why rollout timing differs by heading and latitude.

Acceleration error

Compare acceleration and deceleration indications on east and west headings using the ANDS memory aid.

Training scope

This simplified model builds conceptual understanding. Aircraft-specific behavior and operational technique should come from the POH and flight instruction.