When preparing for takeoff on runway RWY 18, what heading should the compass and heading indicator display?

To determine the correct heading when preparing for takeoff on runway RWY 18, it's important to understand the runway numbering system. The runway number indicates its magnetic heading rounded to the nearest ten degrees. In this case, RWY 18 is aligned with a magnetic heading of approximately 180 degrees.

However, when pilots reference headings for navigation, they consider the magnetic variation and the actual compass indication. It's conventional for the headings to match closely with the runway number, but slight variations may arise due to magnetic deviation or error in the specific aircraft's instruments.

In this scenario, the selected answer of 185° represents a common adjustment pilots might make to account for compass error, ensuring alignment with the actual intended course during takeoff. This slight difference from the perfect 180° reflects a practical approach to flying where headers are adapted to real-world conditions, making 185° an adequately informed choice while departing from RWY 18.