Compass turning errors occur when turning from which headings?

Compass turning errors occur primarily due to the nature of how the magnetic compass functions. The compass is designed to indicate magnetic north; however, it is subject to various errors when the aircraft turns.

When making turns from headings that are close to magnetic north (specifically, north and west), the compass tends to lag behind or over-read due to the characteristics of magnetic variation and the way the compass aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field. This is known as "turning error."

In a turn from north, for instance, the compass will initially show a turn in the opposite direction before settling on the correct heading. Similarly, when turning from a west heading, the compass can exhibit a significant error, making it crucial for pilots to understand and anticipate these errors. Hence, being trained on these specific turning behaviors is essential for accurate navigation.

Understanding these compass behaviors is vital for pilots to avoid inadvertently flying off course, particularly during turns, which is why the answer highlights turns made from north and west headings.