Off Route and Outside of the Service Volume
11-15-2006, 02:02 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: UAL 756 FO
Posts: 169
Off Route and Outside of the Service Volume
Situation:
/A equipped aircraft changes IFR destination where the VOR is located on field. ATC assigns vector and says “when able proceed direct to ABC.” Pilot tunes and identifies the ABC VOR and gets positive course guidance then goes direct and notifies ATC. Pilot then realizes that he is 30 from the service volume of the VOR.
Question:
Was the pilot LEGAL in resuming own navigation or should the pilot have maintained the ATC vector until within the VOR service volume? (Off published route)
/A equipped aircraft changes IFR destination where the VOR is located on field. ATC assigns vector and says “when able proceed direct to ABC.” Pilot tunes and identifies the ABC VOR and gets positive course guidance then goes direct and notifies ATC. Pilot then realizes that he is 30 from the service volume of the VOR.
Question:
Was the pilot LEGAL in resuming own navigation or should the pilot have maintained the ATC vector until within the VOR service volume? (Off published route)
11-15-2006, 03:01 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: UAL 756 FO
Posts: 169
I should have mentioned: This is not a “Real life flying question” just a legal question.
ATC, however, is supposed to keep you on a vector until you are within the service volume, as I read the 7110.65:
5−6−2. METHODS
e. Provide radar navigational guidance until the aircraft is:
1. Established within the airspace to be protected for the nonradar route to be flown, or
2. On a heading that will, within a reasonable distance, intercept the nonradar route to be flown, and
3. Informed of its position unless the aircraft is RNAV, FMS, or DME equipped and being vectored toward a VORTAC/TACAN or waypoint and within the service volume of the NAVAID.
ATC, however, is supposed to keep you on a vector until you are within the service volume, as I read the 7110.65:
5−6−2. METHODS
e. Provide radar navigational guidance until the aircraft is:
1. Established within the airspace to be protected for the nonradar route to be flown, or
2. On a heading that will, within a reasonable distance, intercept the nonradar route to be flown, and
3. Informed of its position unless the aircraft is RNAV, FMS, or DME equipped and being vectored toward a VORTAC/TACAN or waypoint and within the service volume of the NAVAID.
11-15-2006, 05:04 PM
#4
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,273
Originally Posted by Bascuela
I should have mentioned: This is not a “Real life flying question” just a legal question.
ATC, however, is supposed to keep you on a vector until you are within the service volume, as I read the 7110.65:
5−6−2. METHODS
e. Provide radar navigational guidance until the aircraft is:
1. Established within the airspace to be protected for the nonradar route to be flown, or
2. On a heading that will, within a reasonable distance, intercept the nonradar route to be flown, and
3. Informed of its position unless the aircraft is RNAV, FMS, or DME equipped and being vectored toward a VORTAC/TACAN or waypoint and within the service volume of the NAVAID.
ATC, however, is supposed to keep you on a vector until you are within the service volume, as I read the 7110.65:
5−6−2. METHODS
e. Provide radar navigational guidance until the aircraft is:
1. Established within the airspace to be protected for the nonradar route to be flown, or
2. On a heading that will, within a reasonable distance, intercept the nonradar route to be flown, and
3. Informed of its position unless the aircraft is RNAV, FMS, or DME equipped and being vectored toward a VORTAC/TACAN or waypoint and within the service volume of the NAVAID.
Sometimes they are smaller or larger depending on geography or other interference. As was noted, some airways have segments that appear to exceed the standrd service volumes, this is because the actual service volume along that route has been determined and utilized.
Pilots have no way of knowing actual service volumes off-route, they have to trust ATC (your own instruments can be a big clue however).
