Which statement is true regarding flight routes in northern domestic airspace?

• A. in northern domestic airspace, aircraft must follow true tracks
• B. in northern domestic airspace, aircraft must follow magnetic tracks
• C. in northern domestic airspace, you can only use GNSS for travel
• D. in northern domestic airspace, it's too cold to fly

Answer: (A)

In northern domestic airspace, the reference for navigation is true north rather than magnetic north. Magnetic variation becomes large and unreliable as you move toward the poles, so routes and ATC expectations are defined using true tracks. Flying along true tracks keeps aircraft on the intended path regardless of how magnetic north shifts, ensuring consistent routing and separation. Magnetic tracks would introduce varying errors because the difference between true and magnetic north changes with location and time, making it hard to stay on a published route. GNSS is a common navigation aid, but it isn’t the only method and isn’t mandated to be the sole means. The weather or temperature being cold has no bearing on which track system is required.