"Direct to ..."

[skiandsurf]

Question for ATC guys...

Situation....Flying from Point A to Point B (LAX-GEG). We ask for a straighter flight (Direct Pendelton then Spokane). ATC clears us Direct Spokane. Does this mean the VOR (GEG) or the Airport (KGEG)?

 

[GravityHater]

I always ask, and invariably if its my destination we are talking about, the fix is the airport - not the vor.
If it is an enroute section, its the vor.
They are trying to phase out those paired names to avoid such confusion but haven't quite finished yet.

 

[Seadogrun]

Generally it's the fix in your flight plan. You may have both in the flight plan and in that case you should verify. Also if it happens you could read back "cleared direct destination" and if that's not what ATC wanted they should clarify it.

Long story short is ATC won't mind if you ask.

 

[say again]

I always head to the airport, and havent been corrected.

 

[skiandsurf]

FMS flight plan show...

KLAX
SAC
PDL
GEG
KGEG


"Cleared direct Spokane"....I would select "GEG".


Now I have seen guys do this too...

Flying to "XYZ airport". "Cleared direct destination" ....then guys will put build a 5 mile final fix, and go to that point....not destination.

Since no controllers have answered, but you pilots are experts, what do you think....

Direct Spokane means direct GEG or KGEG? (me thinks the VOR).

Cleared to destination....ok to go to a 5 mile fix instead of destination? (me thinks the destination).

( after being a captain for the past 15 yrs, I am now an FO, and seeing some different ways of doing things).

 

[say again]

I believe that they mean the VOR.

 

[satpak77]

it is direct to the VOR unless clarified as "direct the field"

 

[say again]

Liking the avatar satpak. I'll give the back view.

 

[satpak77]

Liking the avatar satpak. I'll give the back view.

Dude I like the back view !

YES

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Here's a similar thread for you.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=102260

 

[kf4amu]

How do you navigate direct to an airport unless you use dead reckoning/pilotage or have the field in sight? Its not a navaid. If your doing GPS or RNAV, your navigating to a reference point on the field which is fine, but the system is set up to use navaids and fixes, not airports.

 

[skiandsurf]

Here's a similar thread for you.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=102260

Thanks for the link. This seems to be a grey area, and I was hoping from some input from some ATC guys, but they have no input on this.

I will continue to go to the Navaid, unless told "Direct destination".

 

[CallmeJB]

IMHO, it's not rocket surgery. Those center radar screens aren't HDTVs. If you feel like you're saving fuel going direct to a 5 mile final fix, go for it; I don't THINK Center will care. It's our job to navigate. Their job is to maintain seperation. To that end, if they need you to go to the VOR to maintain sequence or seperation, they'll make sure you know.

Flame away.

 

[skiandsurf]

IMHO, it's not rocket surgery. Those center radar screens aren't HDTVs. If you feel like you're saving fuel going direct to a 5 mile final fix, go for it; I don't THINK Center will care. It's our job to navigate. Their job is to maintain seperation. To that end, if they need you to go to the VOR to maintain sequence or seperation, they'll make sure you know.

Flame away.

Well here is my story...flying into Denvers Centenial (APA) Airport from the west. We are cleared to destination. I am the non flying pilot (on the radio), and the flying pilot goes to a point 5 miles south of the airport, for a left base to final. The controller asks "are you direct to Centenial?" I let the flying pilot talk his way out of that one. (so apparently, his screen was good enough to see our deviation).

Again, I meant this question for any ATC guys, not pilots with opinions.

 

[satpak77]

Check my Post, #18

IMHO, it's not rocket surgery. Those center radar screens aren't HDTVs. If you feel like you're saving fuel going direct to a 5 mile final fix, go for it; I don't THINK Center will care. It's our job to navigate. Their job is to maintain seperation. To that end, if they need you to go to the VOR to maintain sequence or seperation, they'll make sure you know.

Flame away.

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=102260&page=2

The POI in the jumpseat answer is "Direct always to the Navaid/Waypoint unless specifically stated as to the airport."

what we do in real-world ops is another story, yes, I know.