At the beginning of a turn from a northerly heading, what will the compass display?

When an aircraft begins to turn from a northerly heading, the magnetic compass tends to experience a phenomenon known as "compass turnaround error." This occurs because the compass is influenced by inertia and magnetic dip at different headings. As the airplane starts its turn, the compass will initially indicate a heading that is opposite to the actual turn direction, displaying a false reading due to the forces acting on it.

For instance, if the aircraft is turning to the right from a heading of north, the compass may momentarily indicate a heading to the west or even south. This misleading indication, referred to as "compass deviation," can cause confusion for a pilot who is relying solely on the compass for navigation during a turn.

Understanding this behavior is crucial for pilots, as it highlights the importance of cross-checking instruments during any maneuver, particularly turns, to ensure accurate navigation and control of the aircraft.