How does an aircraft adjust its heading when experiencing a crosswind?

When an aircraft encounters a crosswind, it must adjust its heading to maintain the desired track over the ground, a process known as making a heading correction. The crosswind can push the aircraft off its intended flight path, so the pilot will angle the aircraft into the wind in order to counteract this effect. This adjustment is often referred to as "crabbing," where the aircraft's nose is pointed slightly into the wind, which allows it to fly straight along the desired course.

This heading correction is critical for maintaining safety and precision in navigation. While other options like increasing altitude, initiating a turn, or descending are related to aircraft maneuvers, they do not specifically address how to manage the influence of a crosswind on the aircraft's heading. Thus, the most appropriate action when faced with a crosswind is making a heading correction to ensure that the aircraft stays on its intended flight path.