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9.5.2.2 Magnetic North (MN)

True North Pole (TN) is not identical to Magnetic North Pole (MN) (which is

actually the Magnetic South Pole, but which we commonly call the Magnetic

North Pole, since it is located in the Northern Hemisphere).

This point is located at the place where the magnetic force is greatest. It is this

point that a compass needle orients itself to.

The Magnetic North Pole is constantly

changing location. Currently, it is heading
towards Siberia at 15 – 55 km per year.

The illustration here shows how the

movement has been from the year 1590 to the

year 2019.
https://www.quora.com/Where-is-the-magnetic-
A small animation. North-Pole-located-on-earth-right-now-and-how-

The movement of the Magnetic North Pole is the reason why the variation

(which we will return to) changes from year to year.

In the drawing here you can see how magnetic

and geographic north are located in relation to

each other right now.

Runway directions are arranged according to

the magnetic direction, so it is necessary to

change their names from time to time.

Similarly, the radials of VOR stations are magnetic directions that emanate from
the VOR station.

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Flyveteori PPL(A)(UL)/LAPL Henning Andersen, Midtjysk Flyveskole© 2025 831