"Direct to ..."

[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.

 

[CallmeJB]

Thanks for the story! I guess they can see more than I thought. Was it Center or Approach that asked you?

Thanks

edit:
Satpak, here's a quote from the thread you linked to.

I believe they changed to different identifiers all the vor/airport pairs that are more than 5nm apart. There are still a large number that are within 5 miles and have the same identifiers. ICT, SGF TUL MGM LIT SPA off the top off my head. If a center controller clears you direct it is your choice. When you check in with approach you might want to clarify it.

As I said, center just isn't going to care; Satpak, you are absolutely right about the AIM definitions and procedures.

 

[Kenny]

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.

Funny how you ask two different feds the same questions and get two different answers. Asked the ZW POI this exact question and he said that when the ATC types want you to go to the VOR they will say "Direct XXX VOR".

Just for a 2nd opinion, I asked a friend of mine who works a TRACON and he agreed.

Take it for what it's worth.............

 

[satpak77]

Funny how you ask two different feds the same questions and get two different answers. Asked the ZW POI this exact question and he said that when the ATC types want you to go to the VOR they will say "Direct XXX VOR".

Just for a 2nd opinion, I asked a friend of mine who works a TRACON and he agreed.

Take it for what it's worth.............

I hear you. I can't even get the IRS helpline to give me the same answer if I call them on two different days of the week.