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Return to Air Navigation Magnetism and the Magnetic Compass The phenomenon of magnetism was well known since ancient times. The first documented compass
was recorded in China around 1090 AD. The Earth's magnetic field passes through the North
and South magnetic poles. The magnetic polarity of the Earth is unstable and is influenced
by many factors including magnetic disturbances originating from the sun magnetic storms.
Geologists discovered that the magnetic fields of minerals around the globe suggest a
remarkable phenomenon; the North and South poles change places! It is believed that the
Earth magnetic field has reversed polarity some 25 times in the last 5 million years.
For unknown reason, the unstable interior of the Earth weakens its magnetic field, which
loses its bipolar character and regenerates with reversed polarity.
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A magnet is a piece of iron, steel or steel alloy that was induced by a magnetic field. A
magnet will attract similar metals. Some steel alloys have the quality to retain magnetism
forever, thus forming permanent magnets. When a magnetized needle is suspended on a pivot,
the North Magnetic Pole attracts one end of the needle while the other end is attracted to
the South Magnetic Pole. A magnetic compass is an instrument that measures the direction
relative to the magnetic north pole.
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Variation
If a person is to follow the magnetic compass needle, that person will arrive at the
Magnetic North Pole. Because the magnetic and geographic north poles are not co-located,
a correction must be made to compensate for this discrepancy. The angle between the north
geographic (true) and the north magnetic poles in a given location is called variation.
An imaginary line that connects points with equal (same) variation is an isogonic line.
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Magnetic Dip
At the magnetic equator, the attraction of the compass needle towards the north and south
poles is equal and the needle remains unbiased. As the compass is moved either north or
south of the magnetic equator, the attraction to the nearest pole is increased, thus the
needle will be biased towards the nearest pole. This phenomenon is called magnetic dip.
Aeronautical Magnetic Compass
The magnetic compass is constructed from a float with two magnetic needles mounted on it. A
compass card marked with letters for cardinal headings (N, E, S, W) and numbers at 30
degrees increments is mounted on the float. The last zero of the numbers is omitted.
Between the numbers, the card is graduated for each 5 degrees.
The float assembly is balanced on a pivot in a sealed chamber filled with acid free white
kerosene. The fluid serves three purposes. It reduces the weight that the float imposes on
the pivot; it lubricates the pivot assembly and decreases the float oscillations.
The glass face of the compass is marked with a lubber, or reference line, by which compass
indications are read. To correct magnetic influence of the aircraft and its electronic
equipment, two adjustable compensating magnets are mounted on top of the compass. Two sets
of screws labeled N-S and E-W are used to calibrate the compass.
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Magnetic Compass Errors
Variation - The difference between the locations of the magnetic and true north must be
corrected according to the variation at a given location. If the variation is westerly the
degrees of variation are added to the true heading to obtain a Magnetic Course(Track). When the
variation is easterly, the variation is subtracted from the true heading to obtain Magnetic
Course(Track). A common mnemonic device that helps to remember this rule is:
Deviation - The discrepancy caused by the electromagnetic field of the aircraft including
its electronic devices. The deviation can be controlled to a certain extent by the
adjustable magnet compensators. A deviation correction card is mounted adjacent to compass.
The card indicates which compass heading should be flown to achieve a desired magnetic
heading.
Magnetic Dip - The magnetic dip is contributing to the following compass errors:
The same forces that act on the airplane, act also on the compass's float assembly. If no
other forces are introduced, the float assembly will remain balanced. For example, when the
aircraft is banked the float assembly will bank with it. The attraction of the compass poles
to the earth magnetic poles, introduces forces that affect the stability of the float
assembly. These forces will act in opposite direction depending on the proximity of nearest
magnetic poles. The discussion here is limited to the Northern Hemisphere, that is north of
the Magnetic Equator. In the Southern Hemisphere the error are reversed.
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Northerly Turning Errors
The center of gravity of the float assembly is located lower than the pivotal point. As the
airplane turns, the force that results from the magnetic dip causes the float assembly to
swing in the same direction that the float turns.
The result is a false northerly turn indication. Because of this lead of the compass card,
or float assembly, a northerly turn should be stopped prior to arrival at the desired
heading. This compass error is amplified with the proximity to either pole. One rule of
thumb to correct for this leading error is to stop the turn 15 degrees plus half of the
latitude, i.e. if the airplane is being operated in a position around the 40 degrees of
latitude, the turn should be stopped 15+20=35 degrees prior to the desired heading.
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Southerly Turning Errors
When turning in southerly direction, the forces are such that the compass float assembly
lags rather than leads.
The result is a false southerly turn indication. The compass card, or float assembly, should
be allowed to pass the desired heading prior to stopping the turn.
As with the northerly error, this error is amplified with the proximity to either pole. To
correct this lagging error, the aircraft should be allowed to pass the desired heading prior
to stopping the turn. The same rule of 15 degrees plus half of the latitude applies here,
i.e. if the airplane is being operated in a position around the 30 degrees of latitude, the
turn should be stopped 15+15=30 degrees after passing the desired heading.
The SI/ NO rule - is a very helpful device for determining the compensation for the
turning errors. South is symbolized by the Spanish word SI, meaning yes while North
is symbolized by NO, meaning no.
In the northern hemisphere, when turning to northerly headings, the NO rule applies. Because
the compass card is leading, the turn must be stopped prior to the compass indicating the
desired heading. It is a NO for passing this heading. On the other hand, when turning to
southerly headings, the compass card is lagging; therefore, the turn should be stopped after
passing the desired heading. SI here is used to say YES to pass the desired heading before
stopping the turn.
Acceleration error
The magnetic dip and the forces of inertia cause magnetic compass
errors when accelerating and decelerating on Easterly and westerly headings. Because of the
pendulous-type mounting, the aft end of the compass card is tilted upward when accelerating,
and downward when decelerating during changes of airspeed. When accelerating on either an
east or west heading , the error appears as a turn indication toward north. When
decelerating on either of these headings, the compass indicates a turn toward south.
The word "ANDS" (Acceleration-North/Deceleration-South) may help you to remember the
acceleration error.
Oscillation Error.
Oscillation error results from erratic movement of the compass card which may be caused by
turbulence or rough control technique. During oscillation, the compass is affected by all
of the factors discussed. With proper training, the instrument can be effectively used
despite the errors.
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The North Magnetic Pole is constantly moving. The last determination of the North Magnetic
Pole's average position was made in 1994. At that time the North Magnetic Pole was located
on the Noice Peninsula, southwest Ellef Ringnes Island, at 78.3° N, 104.0° W. The average
movement of the North Magnetic Pole is now 15 km (9.3 miles) per year. The magnetic pole
wanders daily in an elliptical path around the average pole's position. When the magnetic
field of the earth is disturbed, it may move as much as 50 miles from the average position.