Small aircraft pilot track deviation due to metal object on glare shield affecting compass.

Attributes
ACN	660453
Time
Date	200506
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : zzz.tracon
State Reference	US
Altitude	msl single value : 2300
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zzz.artcc
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 10 flight time total : 700 flight time type : 300
ASRS Report	660453
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Events
Anomaly	non adherence : clearance other spatial deviation
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : became reoriented
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft Flight Crew Human Performance
Primary Problem	Flight Crew Human Performance

Narrative:

While fling VFR with flight following; I was given a heading of 200 degrees; however; I was actually flying approximately 170 degrees. I then discovered my flight guide book was on the glare shield causing my magnetic compass to be off because of the metal binding.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SMA PLT TRACK DEV DUE TO METAL OBJECT ON GLARE SHIELD AFFECTING COMPASS.

Narrative: WHILE FLING VFR WITH FLT FOLLOWING; I WAS GIVEN A HDG OF 200 DEGS; HOWEVER; I WAS ACTUALLY FLYING APPROX 170 DEGS. I THEN DISCOVERED MY FLT GUIDE BOOK WAS ON THE GLARE SHIELD CAUSING MY MAGNETIC COMPASS TO BE OFF BECAUSE OF THE METAL BINDING.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.