Cleared to a fix, VOR-FMS question

[bc2209]

During my first airline IOE I have noticed that we are often cleared direct to a fix, or a VOR. Now, even as a GA pilot that would happen often flying an IFR flight plan. However, I was generally familiar with the names of the VOR's and or way-points in the area.

Given that I will be based out of ORD, which is unfamiliar territory, I've started to wonder how to make this easier so I don't get hung up. In the FMS it will abbreviate the VOR identifiers. As an example if cleared direct Thermal, I would need to go into the FMS and move up TRM to go direct.

If you are flying in a part of the country or place where you are not familiar with the abbreviations how do you make this easier for yourself? Do you get cleared direct xyz and then look it up on the chart? Ask the controller? Ask the other pilot?

 

[ClarkGriswold]

During my first airline IOE I have noticed that we are often cleared direct to a fix, or a VOR. Now, even as a GA pilot that would happen often flying an IFR flight plan. However, I was generally familiar with the names of the VOR's and or way-points in the area.

Given that I will be based out of ORD, which is unfamiliar territory, I've started to wonder how to make this easier so I don't get hung up. In the FMS it will abbreviate the VOR identifiers. As an example if cleared direct Thermal, I would need to go into the FMS and move up TRM to go direct.

If you are flying in a part of the country or place where you are not familiar with the abbreviations how do you make this easier for yourself? Do you get cleared direct xyz and then look it up on the chart? Ask the controller? Ask the other pilot?

Ask the controller.

 

[Finny]

We have the names of the VORs on our flight plan. That's where I look.

 

[phill1174]

As time goes on you'll remember the fixes, idk how SkyWest releases are but on our flight plan page we have the names of the VOR's. if that's not the case the controller usually has no issue clarifying it for you. Like you, they don't want you going direct to somewhere you shouldn't be.

 

[thevideographer]

Ask the captain?

 

[subpilot]

Normally the fix is in your flight plan so it should be easy to find.

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

Normally the fix is in your flight plan so it should be easy to find.

Isn't the entire flight plan programed into the FMS?

 

[AAPalmTree]

I always enter the FAF at the destination. Then apologize if they catch on.

 

[Cory Trevor]

Just remember
BVT = Boiler
VHP = Brickyard


Even after flight training in central Illinois and flying routes with both of the fixes several times I'll still get it wrong. Hell I wouldn't be surprised if I actually got them mixed up here

 

[JustinS]

The best thing to do is look up the name of all the VORs along your route so when they give it to you it's not a surprise. On our charts we can also look at the names of the VORs. When it's not on the route I ask for the identifier. ATC has no issue telling you.

 

[Jordan93]

Ask the controller. I'm sure your release has the names of VORs as well.

 

[phill1174]

Isn't the entire flight plan programed into the FMS?

Yep it is, but in the FMS it just shows the 3 letter VOR code, not the whole VOR name.

 

[Cessnaflyer]

I'm part 91 but the same issue if it is something down the line and I am having a bad day or it is off our route I'll ask the controller for the identifier. Takes a couple seconds and it is a whole lot better then messing things up for all involved.

 

[T/O w/FSII]

These use to be the things you learned before becoming an airline pilot.

But to answer your question its "all of the above"

 

[Cloud Surfer]

These use to be the things you learned before becoming an airline pilot.

But to answer your question its "all of the above"

Haha nowadays it's CFI-A for a thousand hours and no IFR flight plan since earning the instrument rating, and presto you're an airline pilot. What's that IFR thing again?? Is that a VOR?

 

[Roger Roger]

Haha nowadays it's CFI-A for a thousand hours and no IFR flight plan since earning the instrument rating, and presto you're an airline pilot. What's that IFR thing again?? Is that a VOR?

Or "do we have to fly an ODP?"

 

[Deleted member 27505]

During my first airline IOE I have noticed that we are often cleared direct to a fix, or a VOR. Now, even as a GA pilot that would happen often flying an IFR flight plan. However, I was generally familiar with the names of the VOR's and or way-points in the area.

Given that I will be based out of ORD, which is unfamiliar territory, I've started to wonder how to make this easier so I don't get hung up. In the FMS it will abbreviate the VOR identifiers. As an example if cleared direct Thermal, I would need to go into the FMS and move up TRM to go direct.

If you are flying in a part of the country or place where you are not familiar with the abbreviations how do you make this easier for yourself? Do you get cleared direct xyz and then look it up on the chart? Ask the controller? Ask the other pilot?

Always ask for the vector to Hector.

More seriously, ATC will rarely direct you to a fix that's not already on your flight plan, so, because you always will have acted in complete accordance with 91.103, you'll know all those and their status, and radial/distance limitations, and outages, etc. If ATC does switch up on you it's via an amended clearance, in which case they will almost always spell it out for you.

 

[ASpilot2be]

Our FMS has a plain language option that shows the names of the vor.

 

[Deleted member 27505]

Our FMS has a plain language option that shows the names of the vor.

Yeah? Well, I just ask Siri!

 

[ComplexHiAv8r]

It's like doing a backcourse........ oh wait


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk