Final answer:
The angle from true north to a proposed flight path is known as the azimuth angle and is measured clockwise. Pilots adjust their heading to compensate for wind by constructing a vector equation that includes the velocity of the plane and the wind, determining the plane's course over the ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
The angle measured clockwise from true north to a proposed flight path is known as the azimuth angle. This angle is conventionally measured from the north in a clockwise direction. For example, if a flight path is described as 60° east of north, this would correspond to an azimuth of 60°. When pilots navigate, they need to adjust their flight heading to compensate for wind conditions to achieve the desired ground track. This requires understanding the relationship between the velocity of the plane with respect to the ground, the velocity of the plane with respect to the air, and the velocity of the air with respect to the ground.
To find the correct heading, one would construct a vector equation that includes these three velocities. Using a diagram or graph, we can visualize the vectors and determine the magnitude and direction of the plane's velocity with respect to the ground. Consequently, the angle from true north to the flight path on a calm day would differ from the angle on a windy day, as the wind alters the plane's course over the ground, requiring the pilot to adjust her heading accordingly to reach the intended destination.