Navigation

[Joshrk22]

Okay when flying to a VOR, NDB, Intersection... do you start your turn before the waypoint? or after you cross it? I've been told that you should do like an "anticipated turn" if you will and begin your turn before you get to the waypoint, but I have also been told that you should cross the waypoint first. If you start your turn early you will be able to stay on your course for the next waypoint, if you fly over the waypoint, you would have to correct for your NEXT waypoint. How do you guys do it?

 

[MauleSkinner]

Check out section 5-3-5 of the AIM.

Fly safe!

David

 

[lumax]

It depends on how fast you are going (groundspeed).
If you are in a speed demon such as a C-172, you can probably wait until you get to/from reversal and still remain within the ariway. The airway is 8 NM miles wide to about 50 NM from the VOR.(anyone confirm?) However, in a fast turboprob or jet you should lead your turn to stay inside the airway parameters.

 

[RockbrigadePC1]

good switch from 4 to 8!

 

[A Squared]

Check out section 5-3-5 of the AIM.

However, in a fast turboprob or jet you should lead your turn to stay inside the airway parameters.

Well, actually, despite what the AIM says, airways have a generous allowance in the protected area for a turn started upon station passage. In this day and age of GPS and DME, it's easy to forget that the Victor arways are designed for the lowest common denominator, the guy with only a VOR receiver. yes it is true that guy with no DME or GPS should also be keeping track of actual airspeed and should have an estimated time for station passage, but it would be unwise to start a turn to a new route segment based on an estiomated arrival over the station. So, the airways are designed for that DMEless guy to positively identify station passage, then turn onto the next airway segment.

*should* you do this, even though you have DME, GPS, whatever? Certainly, it is more elegant to start the turn so as to neatly roll out on the new course centerline. On other hand, doing that will take you much closer to the edge of the protected area than would turning after station passage, probably not close enough to cause concern, but it's food for thought.

Just be aware that the guy who says "if you don't start your turn early, you'll exit the protected airspace (and that includes the AIM) is wrong.