Hi Everyone,
Just have a question.
I was performing the I-3 check-ride and after takeoff, I was given a heading of 175 to 200 ft. After getting up to altitude I was given the instruction to turn heading 310 and intercept the SMO 125 RADIAL. After turning to heading 310 it was obvious that I was not on a track to intercept the reciprocal 305 into SMO and I would need to bank left to actually intercept.
My question is am I free to turn a different heading to intercept the radial. Normally I am used to controllers giving me a heading that actually crosses the radial, that was not the case this time.
What I did was to turn to heading 310 and after I banked left 25 degrees left to actually intercept. Just wondering if that was the correct procedure, or should I have asked for a heading to intercept?
I passed the exam, so I am guessing that I was in the clear. Unfortunately, the controllers switched out I was not able to ask the question at the conclusion of the flight.
Thanks
Question about intercepting a radial
Re: Question about intercepting a radial
The simplest answer I can give you is to request a new heading. There are virtually no cases in which you can deviate from an assigned heading or route without approval from ATC.
Harold Rutila
COMM-MEL/CFII
COMM-MEL/CFII
Re: Question about intercepting a radial
Unless an emergency exists. Or, the heading will place the aircraft in an unsafe condition, (wx, terrain, traffic. 91.3 and 91.123)HRutila wrote:There are virtually no cases in which you can deviate from an assigned heading or route without approval from ATC.
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Re: Question about intercepting a radial
Thanks everyone for the replies. Curiosity made me want to see what really happened so I pulled up my track on PEaware (what a great tool). Turns out I was well off course (see attached)...Still trying to figure out why I strayed north. Some of my confusion came from the fact that I was not expecting to be given a path other then what I filed.
Lessons learned:
1. I should have just stayed the course and I would have eventually intercepted the radial. I guess my thought was that while turning I missed the radial.
2. "If" for some reason, the course given is not correct to intercept, ATC will eventually give me a new course.
3. Communication with ATC is about listening and following directions. Where I stray is when I second guess myself. I should just follow the instruction and ask a question if unsure.
4. A filed route is not always the route ATC will assign you. Be ready for changes.
While I was given a pass, I think it's clear I need to redo this one.
PEaware info
Lessons learned:
1. I should have just stayed the course and I would have eventually intercepted the radial. I guess my thought was that while turning I missed the radial.
2. "If" for some reason, the course given is not correct to intercept, ATC will eventually give me a new course.
3. Communication with ATC is about listening and following directions. Where I stray is when I second guess myself. I should just follow the instruction and ask a question if unsure.
4. A filed route is not always the route ATC will assign you. Be ready for changes.
While I was given a pass, I think it's clear I need to redo this one.
PEaware info
- Attachments
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- PEaware____N5WD_KSNA-KBUR.jpg (252.92 KiB) Viewed 4051 times
Re: Question about intercepting a radial
it appears you did what most pilots do when they are confused by that instruction; they turn direct SLI.
Re: Question about intercepting a radial
Indeed!Mudhen wrote:Unless an emergency exists. Or, the heading will place the aircraft in an unsafe condition, (wx, terrain, traffic. 91.3 and 91.123)HRutila wrote:There are virtually no cases in which you can deviate from an assigned heading or route without approval from ATC.
Harold Rutila
COMM-MEL/CFII
COMM-MEL/CFII