What is the effect of magnetic variation on aviation navigation systems?

Magnetic variation, also known as magnetic declination, refers to the angle difference between magnetic north (which a compass points to) and true north (the geographic North Pole). This variation can lead to discrepancies between the headings indicated by a magnetic compass and the headings that are accurate in terms of true north.

In aviation navigation systems, pilots rely on accurate heading information to navigate effectively. When there is a significant magnetic variation, the heading shown by the compass may not align with the true heading necessary for precise navigation. This is critical, as flying off by even a small degree can lead to being off course, particularly over long distances. Therefore, understanding magnetic variation is essential for ensuring that pilots can adjust their heading to account for this discrepancy and navigate accurately to their destination.

The other options do not relate to the primary impact of magnetic variation on navigation. Communication clarity, airspeed calculation, and turbulence avoidance are affected by different factors and do not directly involve the discrepancies created by magnetic variation.