How is North usually expressed as a Heading

[whitelighter]

I understand that both 000 (Zero-Zero-Zero) degrees and 360 (Three-Six-Zero) degrees are correct, but which is most commonly used/accepted as being correct?

Or is it the case that either is used and the use is interchangable?

[ron83]

Never heard 0-0-0 degrees,sometimes pilot say heading North,or South etc...:ok:

[CraigJL]

360 or North, but never heard 000 either.

[anotherthing]

'360 degrees' is the correct way of saying it.

[Pedant mode]
'North' is not a heading, it is a cardinal point on a compass.
[/Pedant mode]

[whitelighter]

Thanks all. I thought 360 would be the answer, just wanted to check.

[Avoiding_Action]

I've heard someone say "turn right heading 365" before.

[ZOOKER]

Due North anyone?
Pilots occasionally use this, but it is very rare for ATC to say it as an instruction. It may be used in position information though.
'360 degrees; is, as anotherthing says, the correct phaseology.

[whitelighter]

Your comment about being asked to turn to 365 degrees reminded me of this from a few years ago.

No prizes for guessing what was wrong with my sat nav, maybe a prize for guessing the car :ok:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/jezbanks/Picture19.jpg

[Cows getting bigger]

355 or 005 - it avoids any potential confusing with FL360. :)

[Spitoon]

Serves you right for buying a Ford.

[mjt3]

BMW 3 series, E46.. :p

[126,7]

I always use "north". Its easy to use and easy to understand in any language and it can't be mistaken with any other headings or flight levels.

[whitelighter]

Spot on Mjt3 - E46 Beemer it is (or rather was)

[Someone_Else]

I have to admit I've said 365 degrees! Well what's the first answer that pops into your head when you want a pilot to turn right 15 degrees and you know he is currently heading 350 degrees!

I was curious to discover that on the sea they often refer to North as bearing 000 degrees. But it aint something we do in Air Navigation.

[Gonzo]

Anotherthing....

'360 degrees' is the correct way of saying it.

[extra pedant mode on]
...in the UK of course. The word 'degrees' is not required by ICAO, nor is it recommended as far as I know.
[extra pedant mode off]

:E

[161R]

Gonzo

[super pedant mode on]
But it is of course best practise in the UK.
Time to dust off the radar rating perhaps?!
Anyone for an APC?
[super pedant mode off]

[ZOOKER]

161R,
Surely you mean APS?
Sooper-dooper pedant mode out! :E

[161R]

Zooker

[moronic pendant mode on - supercharged]
To quote one of your heroes "Tonight the night is mine!"

APC is what one has to do to re-activate a rating after it's lapsed following a period of five years ( or four after midnight tonight [YAWN]) since that rating was last exercised.

[moronic pendant mode asleep]

[ZOOKER]

161R,
Sincere apologies. You're spot-on, - APC is now APP!
"I wait all night for calls like these". :}

[Gonzo]

161R, I think it's required after a 'heading x x zero', but recommended after 'heading x x five'. I was pointing out that this only applies to the UK, when the original poster had not made it clear what part of the world he/she was talking about. I was afraid we were doing the usual PPRuNe thing of just assuming it was a UK question, which might give the wrong information to someone.

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I always used to say "xxx degrees", (like I always said "xxxx millibars") and the smart young kids used to laugh at me.... but I don't recall any pilots confusing my headings. Something about "belt and braces"!!

[salsaboy]

Well said HD.

[thorisgod]

Well said HD:D

Would expect to use North in an emergency for a westbound or eastbound
"Turn Left/Right Head north expedite etc..." that needed a 90degree turn

Thorisgod

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Thorisgod.. Not quite. There is quite specific phraseology associated with avoiding action in which the heading is given in degrees. I can't think of many occasions when a 90 degree turn would be needed!

[anotherthing]

Gonzo -

Quite right, though I was trying to get across the point that the digits 3-6-0- were the proper way to give the heading instruction!

HD,

I have use 90 degrees or more several times when giving avoiding action. Having worked in the military before NATS, I'm not shy in giving AA, though haven't had to do it much since I joined NATS (before people decry my controlling!).

When avoiding action is given, I always teach that finesse goes out of the window. If it has gotten to the stage of needing avoiding action, then no point pratting about giving a heading you think willl achieve 3/5 miles (whatever your minima is), grab a good handful then when you are sure it is sorted, go back and tidy up.

Admittedly more pertinent when controlling fast pointy things that have a tendency to suddenly appear...

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

anotherthing... Accepted, but if you're working in a busy TMA and start whacking people round 90 degrees a whole lot of nasty stuff will descend on you!