Runway numbering: headings and changes

What you’ll practice

Runway numbers look simple until you factor in magnetic variation, rounding rules, and reciprocal directions. You’ll work through how headings translate into runway designators and when changes force airports to update signage and charts.

Each question uses a 4-option multiple-choice format with no timer, so you can think through the math and the logic without rushing.

Difficulty and question settings

Difficulty is mixed on purpose: straightforward identification questions are blended with edge cases like rounding boundaries, parallel runway suffixes, and renumbering triggers. Before you start, choose your preferred question count and difficulty to keep the session quick for review or longer for deep practice.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Mixing up magnetic vs true heading when converting to a runway number
• Forgetting the reciprocal runway is 180° opposite (and the number changes accordingly)
• Rounding to the wrong ten degrees near boundaries (e.g., 004° vs 005°)
• Confusing runway designators with headings after a local magnetic shift
• Misapplying L/C/R suffixes on parallel runways

Tips for better accuracy

Slow down on borderline headings and double-check which reference (magnetic or true) the scenario implies. If a question mentions renumbering, focus on what changed (variation drift, survey updates, or published heading revisions) and how that affects both runway ends.