What will the heading be when reading winds, and what will it be when hearing winds on AWOS/ATIS?

When interpreting wind information from sources like AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) or ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service), it is essential to understand how wind directions are presented in these systems.

For the first part of the question concerning how winds are read, the key is that the wind direction is reported in terms of true heading. This means that pilots should consider the actual direction from which the wind is blowing in relation to true north, not magnetic north. Aviation professionals typically reference true headings when discussing wind conditions, especially during pre-flight planning.

In contrast, when it comes to the wind direction one hears in a broadcast from AWOS or ATIS, it is based on magnetic headings. This is because pilots are usually navigating based on magnetic courses, and it is practical to provide the wind direction in a format that relates directly to the magnetic compass used in the cockpit.

Understanding this distinction—true headings for reading the wind and magnetic headings for what is heard from AWOS/ATIS—is crucial for accurate flight operations. In this way, the correct answer highlights the importance of knowing the difference between true and magnetic references in aviation communications.