Intercept angles...
01-21-2007 | 02:55 PM
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From: PA-44/Instructor
Intercept angles...
Please help me refresh my memory. What intercept angle to you use to intercept a radial. For instance, I am on the 182 R, now I am told to turn right and intercept the 253 radial. I would say that I would turn 70 degrees to the right if I was in a hurry to get there, and if I was far from the station. I am not a math wiz here, and I need help in this basic geometry department! Usually, I just use what I feel would best work for me, and then adjust if the intercept seems slow.
01-21-2007 | 05:28 PM
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The textbook answer is to figure out what radial you're on, note the difference between the radial you're on and the radial you want to be on, and then double the difference. No more than 90, no less than 20 degrees of intercept.
One thing to consider is how close to the VOR you are. The closer to the VOR you get, the closer the radials get to each other and the less correction you'll need to intercept. Winds could also determine how much intercept you need. If you have a strong crosswind, you may need more correction.
In your example, difference between radials is 71 degrees, so the textbook method would not work. If you were to double the difference, then you would just wind up flying the opposite direction.
Ultimately, with all of this in mind, good situational awareness and common sense is the key.
One thing to consider is how close to the VOR you are. The closer to the VOR you get, the closer the radials get to each other and the less correction you'll need to intercept. Winds could also determine how much intercept you need. If you have a strong crosswind, you may need more correction.
In your example, difference between radials is 71 degrees, so the textbook method would not work. If you were to double the difference, then you would just wind up flying the opposite direction.
Ultimately, with all of this in mind, good situational awareness and common sense is the key.
Last edited by multipilot; 01-21-2007 at 05:34 PM.
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