Ground Track GPS pointer

[woneill]

The magenta pointer on the inside of the compass rose.

Appreciate if someone would explain what it represents.

I've tried the USER'S GUIDE (4-16) and I'm still unsure.

TIA,

 

[mmarien]

GPS ground track I believe. It's the track (direction) you are making on the ground. If you were heading north at 100 knots with a 100 knot west wind you would be tracking 45 degrees on the ground. The compass rose would show a heading of north, but the GPS ground track (magenta triangle) would indicate 45 degrees.

 

[woneill]

That's what I thought too from the title "GROUND TRACK". What I couldn't figure was the GPS part. A GROUND TRACK POINTER is obvious. Why was it useful to add GPS to the title?

After I wrote the original message I found this explanation on the next page of the GUIDE (p. 4-17): "To maintain course regardless of wind condition, line the course needle up with the GPS ground track pointer."

So now I'm GUESSING that that magneta bug is really GPS Course to Steer (CTS). Thoughts?

 

[dynonsupport]

The magenta arrow is ground track. This always comes from your GPS, so we refer to it as GPS ground track. It's always helpful to know the source of data.

Course to steer is the big arrow in the center of the HSI.