When entering a right turn from a northerly heading, a magnetic compass will normally indicate what?

When entering a right turn from a northerly heading, the magnetic compass will normally indicate an initial turn toward the west. This phenomenon is due to the way magnetic compasses respond to changes in heading, specifically the effects of magnetic dip and the inertia of the compass card.

As you begin the turn to the right, the compass initially lags behind the actual heading change because of the inertia of the fluid-damped compass card. This creates a situation called magnetic deviation, where the compass may momentarily respond slow to the right turn by indicating a turn toward the west instead of accurately showing the turn toward the east. This lag can be more pronounced when you are on a heading close to magnetic north since the compass is more affected by magnetic dip at higher latitudes.

Understanding this behavior is crucial for pilots, as it emphasizes the importance of cross-referencing other instruments and being aware of potential compass errors during turns, especially around the northern headings.