Ever since I sat next to a hawtie AF chickie in the back of an AA "Super 80" and she told me they taught this, I've always wanted to know how to do it.
Something you can explain via PM?
-mini
Rather than trying to provide a bastardized explanation, here's what our Instrument Manual says:
7.10. Proceeding Direct to a VOR/DME or TACAN Fix. To proceed direct from one fix
to another is often required during departures, approaches, or when maneuvering in a
terminal area. Bearing and range information from a VOR/DME or TACAN facility is
sufficient for navigating direct to any fix within reception range. The following are some
techniques to accomplish a fix-to-fix (Figure 7.13):
7.10.1. Tune. Tune the TACAN or VOR/DME equipment (VOR and DME stations
must be collocated).
7.10.2. Turn. If not proceeding in the general direction of the desired fix, turn to a
heading approximately halfway between the head of the bearing pointer and the radial on
which the desired fix is located. The objective is to turn in the general direction of the
desired fix rather than fly away from the fix while attempting to determine a precise
heading.
7.10.2.1. HSI. When using an HSI, the desired radial should be set in the course
selector window and the aircraft turned to a heading between the head of the bearing
pointer and the head of the course arrow.
7.10.2.2. Initial Turn. The initial turn may be adjusted to roll out on a heading other
than halfway between the bearing pointer and the desired fix and present location. If
the range must be decreased, roll out on a heading closer to the bearing pointer. To
increase the range, roll out on a heading closer to the desired radial.
7.10.3. Visualize. Visualize the aircraft position and the desired fix on the compass card
of an RMI or similar instrument. The following factors must be understood when
visually establishing the aircraft position and the desired fix on the compass card.
7.10.3.1. Station Location. The station is located at the center of the compass card,
and the compass rose simulates the radials around the station.
AFMAN 11-217V1 3 JANUARY 2005 127
7.10.3.2. Aircraft Position. The aircraft position is visualized along the reciprocal
(radial) of the bearing pointer.
7.10.3.3. Fix. The fix with the greater range is established at the outer edge of the
compass card. The fix with the lesser range is visualized at a point that is
proportional to the distance represented by the outer edge of the compass card.
7.10.4. Determine Heading. Determine a precise heading from the aircraft position to
the desired fix. Determine the heading to the fix by connecting the aircraft position to
desired fix with an imaginary line. Establish another line in the same direction, parallel
to the original line through the center of the compass card. This will establish a no-wind
heading to the desired fix.
7.10.5. Adjust Heading. Adjust aircraft heading as necessary and proceed to the fix.
7.10.5.1. Drift. Apply any known wind drift correction. The effect of wind drift and
any inaccuracy of the initial solution may be compensated for by repeating the
previous steps while en route. As the aircraft approaches the desired fix, adjust the
heading as necessary to intercept the arc or radial or to comply with route clearance
beyond the fix.
7.10.5.2. Distance. The distance to the desired fix can be estimated since the
distance between the aircraft position and the desired fix is proportionate to the
distance established from the center to outer edge of the compass card.
7.10.6. Update. Update heading continuously enroute to refine your solution and correct
for winds.
7.10.6.1. NOTE: The same problem can be easily and more accurately solved on the
CPU/26A computer. This is done on the wind face by imagining that the center
grommet is the station and applying the same basic techniques as in 7.10.3 though
7.10.5 above.
