A runway labeled 5/23 has opposing end headings of approximately 230 degrees and 050 degrees. What are these headings?

A runway labeled 5/23 has opposing end headings of approximately 230 degrees and 050 degrees. What are these headings?

• A. 090 degrees and 270 degrees
• B. 050 degrees and 230 degrees
• C. 100 degrees and 280 degrees
• D. 130 degrees and 310 degrees

Answer: (B)

Runway numbers come from the magnetic heading of each end, rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, and the two ends are always 180 degrees apart. A label like 5/23 means one end points about 50 degrees and the opposite end about 230 degrees (since 50 + 180 = 230). So the opposing headings for a 5/23 runway are roughly 050 degrees and 230 degrees. The pair given in the question—230 degrees and 050 degrees—matches those directions, which is why that option is correct.

Runway numbers come from the magnetic heading of each end, rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, and the two ends are always 180 degrees apart. A label like 5/23 means one end points about 50 degrees and the opposite end about 230 degrees (since 50 + 180 = 230).

So the opposing headings for a 5/23 runway are roughly 050 degrees and 230 degrees. The pair given in the question—230 degrees and 050 degrees—matches those directions, which is why that option is correct.