Final answer:
Flying due west along the equator, the orientation of the compass needle will not change as you continue your journey because you are moving parallel to the lines of longitude, and the Earth's magnetic field lines run from north to south. The needle will remain perpendicular to your movement, pointing to the right toward the geographic and magnetic north pole.
Step-by-step explanation:
When flying due west along the equator and passing the prime meridian, it is noted that a compass needle points perpendicular to the direction of motion, with the north-seeking pole pointing to the right. As you continue to fly due west, the compass needle's orientation will not change significantly because you are moving parallel to lines of longitude. This is under the assumption that the Earth's magnetic north pole coincides with its geographic north pole. The compass needle aligns with the magnetic field lines, which run from the geographic north to the geographic south pole. Therefore, the orientation of the compass needle would stay consistent as you continue your westward flight along the equator.
Meridians, or lines of longitude, are imaginary lines that run from the north pole to the south pole. Each meridian marks a specific longitude. Longitude is measured both east and west from the prime meridian, which is situated at 0° longitude and passes through Greenwich, England. If you were flying westward across other meridians, the compass needle would continue to point toward the north pole, to the right of your motion, because you remain on the same latitude and maintain your heading relative to the Earth's magnetic field.