AVI310103
Reciprocal Bearings
The Reciprocal Bearing Shortcut
In the previous concept, you found return bearings using compass crosses. You may have noticed the answer always differs by exactly 180°. This is the reciprocal bearing.
Reciprocal Bearing Rule
From any point, if you draw a bearing line in both directions, the two bearings are always 180° apart:
If bearing < 180°: reciprocal = bearing + 180°
If bearing ≥ 180°: reciprocal = bearing - 180°
No compass cross needed — just add or subtract 180°.
Aviation Applications
VOR Radials: VOR radials are bearings FROM the station. If you are on the 090 radial, the station is to your west (bearing TO station = 270°).
The 180° Turn: Flying heading 025° and ATC says "turn 180" → new heading = 025° + 180° = 205°.
Reciprocal Bearing — One Line, Two Directions
From a single point, drag the slider. The two opposite directions along the same line are always 180\u00B0 apart — this is the reciprocal bearing. [avi-reciprocal-line]
Exercise: Calculate Reciprocals
Calculate the reciprocal bearing. No compass cross needed — use the ±180° shortcut.
Random bearings — auto-next on answer.