Why The Hell... (random rant)
Thanks to you, farr1220, and Peter. I always wondered in the back of
my
mind how the term declination came to mean variation. Now I'm ready to
navigate the outer space :-)
Hmmmm. I see that what I have been calling declination is called
inclination on the NOAA site, so I will correct as appropriate.
In view of my recollections of ground school, I believe that it might be
least confusing to continue using the term deviation for the instrument
error as installed, variation for the difference between true and
magnetic
north, and inclination for the angle between the lines of force and the
horizontal--leaving the term declination unused.
Yes and then aviators would be in perfect alignment with ocean
naavigators who use variation and deviation. The conversion from true
to compass heading makes a nice nemonic:
timid virgins make dull company
for TRUE (variation) MAGNETIC (deviation) COMPASS
Cheers MC
That's the nemonic that I was taught--and then forgot. :-(
Peter
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