What should you include in your scan to ensure proper heading during instrument flight?

In instrument flight, maintaining proper heading is crucial for safe navigation and control of the aircraft. The best approach to ensure accurate heading information includes both the magnetic compass and the heading indicator.

The magnetic compass provides a reference to the Earth's magnetic field, while the heading indicator (often a gyro instrument) presents a stable reading that reflects the aircraft's actual heading in flight. Utilizing both instruments gives the pilot a redundancy that can enhance situational awareness and help counteract the limitations of each system.

Instruments such as the GPS and altitude indicators serve different primary functions and should not be relied upon exclusively for heading. Similarly, vertical speed and airspeed indicators primarily provide information about altitude change and speed respectively and do not contribute to heading information. Therefore, the combination of the magnetic compass and heading indicator is essential for effective navigation and maintaining the desired course during instrument flying.