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AIM — FAA OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE

4-2-10 Directions

AIM Chapter 4. Air Traffic Control — Section 4-2, Radio Communications Phraseology

Official text — AIM 4-2-10

AIM — FAA OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE

The three digits of bearing, course, heading, or wind direction should always be magnetic. The word “true” must be added when it applies.

EXAMPLE— 1. (Magnetic course) 005 zero zero five

2. (True course) 050 zero five zero true

3. (Magnetic bearing) 360 three six zero

4. (Magnetic heading) 100 heading one zero zero

5. (Wind direction) 220 wind two two zero

Reproduced from the FAA Aeronautical Information Manual (Basic (with Change 3)). The AIM is FAA guidance, not regulation. Verify against the official source before relying on it operationally.

Is this a regulation?

No — this is FAA guidance, not a regulation.

Aeronautical Information Manual. FAA operational guidance and recommended practices. The AIM is not regulatory, although it often explains how to comply with regulations.

SkeyeMentor FAA Library is an educational reference and study aid. Regulatory and FAA materials can change. SkeyeMentor provides links and contextual explanations to help pilots study, but users should verify current requirements through official FAA, eCFR and other applicable government sources before relying on them operationally. SkeyeMentor explanations are educational and are not legal advice.