How is true heading calculated?

True heading is calculated by adjusting the track course (TC) for the wind correction angle (WCA). The wind correction angle is added to or subtracted from the true course depending on whether the wind is coming from the left or the right of the intended track. This adjustment allows pilots to maintain their desired flight path despite the influence of wind, which can push the aircraft off course.

In practice, if the wind is pushing the aircraft away from its intended track, the wind correction angle would be subtracted from the track course, while it would be added if the wind is coming from the opposite direction. Therefore, using the formula TC +/- WCA accounts for any needed correction based on the wind direction, leading to an accurate determination of the true heading necessary for maintaining the intended flight path.