What is TRACK?
In aviation, “Track” refers to the actual path that an aircraft follows over the ground during a flight. It is often compared to the aircraft’s “heading” , which is the direction the aircraft is pointing, as these two can differ due to wind or other factors.
Here are the key concepts associated with track in aviation:👇👇👇
- Ground Track : The projection of the aircraft’s flight path onto the Earth’s surface.
- True Track : The direction of the aircraft’s path over the ground, measured in degrees from true north.
- Magnetic Track : Similar to true track but measured relative to magnetic north (which differs from true north depending on the location due to magnetic variation).
Pilots and air traffic controllers monitor the aircraft’s track to ensure it stays on course and arrives at the intended destination. Tracking is crucial for navigation, especially in controlled airspace and during approaches to airports.
