What is the acceptable range for heading indicators during the instrument cockpit check?

The acceptable range for heading indicators during the instrument cockpit check is within 5 degrees of the runway heading. This standard ensures that the heading indicator is calibrated accurately and reflects the aircraft's actual heading, which is critical for safe navigation and proper instrument flight rules (IFR) operations.

By maintaining this small margin, pilots can ensure that their situational awareness regarding orientation and course tracking is finely tuned, reducing the risk of navigational errors, especially during critical phases of flight such as takeoffs and approaches. A limit of 5 degrees allows for permissible variations while still retaining reliability in maintaining the intended flight path.

The other options, while they imply some degree of variance, do not meet the stringent requirement necessary for precise aircraft control and navigation that is expected during cockpit checks, thereby emphasizing the importance of having tight tolerances in instrument calibration for successful instrument flight.