What is the result of "northerly turning errors" as described in aviation terminology?

Northerly turning errors occur when the heading indicator or magnetic compass provides inaccurate readings during a turn towards the north. This phenomenon is primarily due to the magnetic variation and the magnetic dip that affects the compass's reliability in certain situations, particularly when turning in a northerly direction.

When an aircraft turns towards the north, the compass tends to lag behind the actual heading, resulting in a discrepancy between the indicated and true heading. This leads to potential navigation errors, as pilots may inadvertently follow incorrect headings based on the faulty compass readings. Therefore, the result of northerly turning errors is indeed inaccurate readings during flight, which is critical for safe navigation and can affect flight path and situational awareness.

In contrast, other options like cellular communication failure, maintenance of course direction, and improper navigation on autopilot do not accurately describe the implications of northerly turning errors as they pertain to navigational accuracy and compass functionality.