Cutting Corners at VORs

[TonyC]

Like A Squared said, it is proper to turn before sation passage in an effort to fly from centerline to centerline. Turning earlier than that because you know there is a tolerance or width is improper.


In the example you specified, you arrive at station XYZ on a 360 course, and you plan to depart the station on the 280 course -- an 80 degree left turn. It is proper to begin the turn approximately one turn radius' distance prior to reaching the station. If your groundspeed is 120 Kts, and you use the 1% of groundspeed method to determine turn radius, you should begin the turn approximately 1.2NM prior to reaching the station - - not 4.


Your goal should be centerline.

 

[crudeoilpilot]

Did we make a turn

Tony; you did mean to say the 280 course I'm guessing. You're right, the groundspeed trick works perfect. A 90 degree turn at 250 kts, start at 2.5 miles etc. to fine tune it take your 90 degree window in your HSI and divide it into 3 sections, if you have a 60 degree turn at your 250 kts use 1.8 miles, a 30 degree use .8. Leading early for passenger comfort or should I say less drink spillage is easy to accomodate with this rule.

 

[TonyC]

Tony; you did mean to say the 280 course I'm guessing.

Why, of course that's what I meant! My eyes were too blurry to notice the error; thanks for the help!

Next stop, the EDIT button!

 

[coonass one]

The way I do it:

No matter what altitude, at 4 nm prior (corrected for slant error on the dme) I set up a 20-30 degree intercept, and just wait a few seconds. Works out well most of the time(depending on speed of course).

 

[philo beddoe]

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. 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.

 

[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).