Home >> Hobbies >> Aviation

How to Make an Aircraft Compass Rose

Compass rose is the informal name for a compass calibration pad. The deviation error in an aircraft's magnetic compass can be determined by using a compass rose. Deviation error is the discrepancy between the actual compass indication and what the compass should be indicating. Use of a compass rose can help you make adjustments to the aircraft's compass to minimize deviation error. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides guidance for the construction of compass calibration pads.

Things You'll Need

Non-magnetic paint

Instructions

- 1
  Determine an appropriate site at least 300 feet from any power or communication lines, and 600 feet from any large buildings or other large magnetic objects.
- 2
  Obtain a geological survey of the compass rose site, indicating the difference between true and magnetic north. The difference should not exceed more than half of a degree at any point within 250 feet of the center point of the site.
- 3
  Determine diameter for the rose. The FAA recommends a 50-foot radius for compass calibration pads for small aircraft.
- 4
  Paint a diameter line oriented (magnetically) north and south using non-magnetic paint. Paint additional diameter lines every 30 degrees. Lines must be accurate within one minute for each bearing.
- 5
  Mark each diameter line with its magnetic bearing. Markings should be large enough to be read from the cockpit of an aircraft approaching the calibration pad.

Aviation