Cutting Corners at VORs

[TonyC]

I use 1% of GS minus .5 nm, which works well for me. But then again, I tend to roll into turns with a fair amount of enthusiasm.

It is my understanding that most "Rules of Thumb" are predicated on Standard Rate turns, which is what ATC expects.

This rule works pretty good with arcs as well, since it is better to be a tiny bit late turning onto the arc than be too early. Which brings up another point: why does every one teach a 90 degree turn onto the arc? Since you are going to join further along the arc as you turn, an 80 degree turn works better, since you will not have to immediately turn again just to maintain the arc.

Again, the Rule of Thumb applies to standard rate turns, and generically to all turns from a radial to an arc. The amount of turn would vary depending on the distance from the station (a 10 DME arc would require a different turn than a 50 DME arc) and whether you are intially headed towards the station (outside of arc) or away from the station (inside the arc).