Fly runway heading, cxlimb and maintain etc.

[Gringo6]

When ATC gives you your instrument clearance they frequently will tell you to "fly runway heading, climb and maintain 3000 feet, ETC." I suppose they have factored in the effect of wind and that your course will be different than the runway heading haven't they ?

Just curious !

[Webb]

ATC isn't that picky and it won't give you an "off course" warning so soon.

I usually just flip on the autopilot anyway.