When turning to a southerly heading in the northern hemisphere, what should you do to compensate for compass errors?

When turning to a southerly heading in the northern hemisphere, the correct approach involves turning past the intended heading. This action compensates for the eastern magnetic dip that can cause the compass to lag or under-read during the turn. In the northern hemisphere, when you initiate a turn to the south, the compass will initially point toward the north due to magnetic variation and inertia, resulting in an error where the compass reading is not accurately reflecting your true heading.

By turning slightly beyond the intended southerly heading, you allow the compass to settle correctly on the desired heading as it compensates for the apparent lag. This technique helps ensure that the aircraft is accurately oriented in the desired direction after the turn is completed, enhancing navigation accuracy and safety.

This method is particularly important when performing turns in various headings to address compass errors—making it a critical skill for pilots to master during instrument flight operations.