HSI and mag compass MH/TH error

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Err if Variation is East you subtract the variation from the True Heading:

"Variation East Magnetic Least"

Mission Editor Ruler gives the runway at Senaki a True Bearing of 095

So 095 - 6 = 089 so the HSI is displaying Mag heading.

DCS map has always shown true heading and FC planes too.

The runway numbers painted on the surface in game are Magnetic rounded up to the closest digit ... as is the real world convention.

Mission Editor does everything in True.

You can have some other explanations reading this :

http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=104140&page=3

edit: the DCS manual also states that the headings are magnetic (p141)

This part of manual talk about a specific function relative to A-10C that's why it's in magnetic.

All others number in mission editor are true heading.

This implies that when flying multiplayer, players flying the F-15 will have a 6° difference in heading vs a player who's flying the F-5?

Yes.

There's a serious mix up somewhere...

 

Sukhumi runway number 30 = QFU 296°

mission editor heading = 296° (manual also states that heading is magnetic)

info bar = 296°

F-15 and MiG 21 (mag) instruments = 296°

 

F-5E and MiG 15 (mag) instruments = 290° (this would mean that Sukhumis runway numbers should be 11/29)

 

edit: Is there a way to check if the mission editor shows true heading although 5! sources indicate that it's magnetic?

After looking DCS charts in the Doc folder there is effectively a mix... it depend of the airport. Some have runway number relative to true heading some others to magnetic heading.

EDIT: in facts only Vaziani and Senaki have runway numbers rounded to magnetic heading... all others are rounded to true heading.

FC3 planes all use true heading, then others modules use real aircraft heading systems. Most occidental aircraft use magnetic heading whereas Russian often use true heading. Depending of the aircraft you are able or not to switch between magnetic or true heading to display by an in cockpit switch.

Is that more clear for you now ?

Though the general rule is that Rwy numbers are Magnetic rounded up to the nearest digit there are lots of local exceptions exist around the world. LAX/DFW etc is typical all runways are Parallel with the same heading but to ensure no confusion Two of the runways are given arbitrary numbers that don't actually reflect the convention.

In the end airfield charts/AIP will tell you both the Rwy designation and its exact Magnetic heading that is all you really need to know.

Not in DCS:

EDIT: in facts only Vaziani and Senaki have runway numbers rounded to magnetic heading... all others are rounded to true heading.