How do you say a heading of 5 degrees?

To communicate a heading of 5 degrees in aviation, the standard phraseology involves specifying the number with full clarity to avoid any potential misunderstanding. The phrase "heading zero zero five" provides explicit information by stating both the directional intent (heading) and the specific angle (005 degrees), ensuring that any ambiguity is eliminated.

Using the full term "zero" before "five" indicates that it is a two-digit number, signifying that it is indeed 5 degrees rather than possibly being misinterpreted as part of another number. For instance, saying "heading five" might lead to confusion, as it doesn't specify that it's 5 degrees; it could potentially signify 50 degrees. Similarly, "heading three hundred sixty" or "zero degrees heading" doesn’t accurately reflect 5 degrees and would refer to different headings altogether. Therefore, "heading zero zero five" is the correct and precise way to articulate a heading of 5 degrees in air traffic control communications.