Can an air traffic controller give also tracks, or just headings?

Question

I mean let's put it that way. Let's imagine, we are on our plane on point A. Exactly north of point A, there is point B (so therefore 360°). So ATC would give the advice "turn right heading 360" (we're flying 270, that's why "turn right").

If there is no wind, heading and track would be the same (360). Now let's imagine there is a 40-knots wind coming from 090. If the plane would go on heading 360, the track would be something like 350. So a deviation to the left, and point B wouldn' be reached. So, you need to make a heading of like 010, to be on track 360.

But, does ATC know that, and therefore give a heading of 010, or do they just give heading 360, and see after a while that the plane is drifting, and therefore gives a new heading?

Answer 1

ATC dont really apply drift to our headings, they basically just give an initial heading and then 'suck and see' how it goes and then update it as necessary. incidentally, they dont really know our IAS or TAS either. All they see is groundspeed and track on their little screens. the speeds they tell us to fly (which is our IAS) is just based on their experience to get whatever groundspeed they want. they do this everyday so they know approximately what IAS will give them their desired groundspeed and as we get closer to the ground the two speeds are pretty similar.

Answer 2

When ATC assigns you a heading to fly, fly the heading without drift correction. This can be a particular problem during departure. For instance your clearance is to "fly runway heading" after takeoff. On a no wind day you fly runway heading and you are just climbing out along the extended centerline of the runway. On a day where there is a strong xwind, you'd think ATC want's you on that same extended centerline so you might think some drift correction is in order. WRONG. A heading is a heading. If he wanted you on a course he would have assigned you one.

Answer 3

We give headings and adjust as necessary after observing the ground track flown after the initial heading assignment.  If the vector is used frequently during the day, we have a pretty good idea what heading to use, at least until the winds begin change.  We do have a certain amount of winds aloft information available, but it's easy enough to cut and try.

Awareness of the winds aloft (in my opinion, anyway) is  more critical when sequencing aircraft than when simply providing a vector to a distant fix, since turning an aircraft into or out of the prevailing winds can cause a dramatic change in ground-speed and result in aircraft getting much closer together than intended.

One more note with reference to Don A's answer:  When assigned a heading do NOT try to compensate for drift.  Fly the assigned heading and let the controller make the corrections as necessary.  For instance if you are told to fly runway heading and you see yourself drifting off the centerline, just fly the heading - do not attempt to stay on th runway centerline.

Answer 4

ATC does not calculate wind correction factors. That's the pilots job.  The heading they give you is based on where they want you to go.

And if I want to fly due north, and there's a 40 knot crosswind coming from 090, it's going to be a bit more than a 10 degree correction.  There's a tool to figure it - don't have mine with me, or I would.  It takes into consideration IAS, Wind Speed and Direction.  It also calculates Ground Speed.

Answer 5

he(atc) will give headings and adjust as necessary to get the desired track.

Answer 6

Im pretty sure ATC knows all about windspeed, and will give proper directions based upon it, but its also pilot responability to realize drifting and make proper corrections, atc and pilots work together to safely land planes.

Just my 2 cents worth

Answer 7

It's really amazing to me that all of these pilots have no idea about what we do (or what we know).   We ALWAYS know what the wind is doing and give headings to offset the push.  We don't know the true air speed?  I don't know where that guy gets his information from, but it's completely inaccurate.

To answer the question:  Based on aircraft characteristics, we will assign a heading that will take you where WE want you to go.  If we want you on a 010 track, and the wind is going to push you, we'll assign 360 or 350 even depending on how heavy the aircraft is.

Some of you pilots should really visit your local ARTCC.  You might learn something.