Figure 1-25. Tracking

INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES WORKBOOK

CHAPTER ONE

Figure 1-25 Tracking

The second method is called tracking. Tracking consists of maintaining a straight path or course

over the ground. In order to do this, the aircraft must turn slightly into the wind. When using

this method, the needle will not normally be under the heading index but slightly to one side

(Figure 1-25).

When the compass card is known or suspected to be malfunctioning, the VOR and TACAN

needles must be considered unreliable until verified by other means. In this situation, the VOR

and TACAN needles will not point toward the VOR or TACAN facility (relative bearing) but

may still indicate proper magnetic bearing information. In other words, these needles provide

bearing information in relation to the compass card, not the aircraft heading.

INTRODUCTION TO AIRBORNE NAVIGATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

EQUIPMENT AND PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION 1-31