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DME Arc (Read 180 times)
Reply #15 - Jun 30th, 2005 at 11:24pm

Brett_Henderson   Offline
Colonel
EVERY OUTER MARKER SHOULD
BE AN NDB

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Flying plates like these (for real) is kinda like when you were learning steep turns. You know that there is a +/- airspeed.. BUT.. if you you're making a smooth, constant  turn and aren't gaining or losing altitude, the airspeed will take care of itself (just like staying on the arc).

Firstly.. if you were flying to this airport in real IMC .. AND there weren't other planes trying to get in too.. ATC would prob just vector you straight in (from the south). Coming from the north might be a little different. The whole theory behind these tricky approaches is to firstly, work around any obstacles, but most important.. if ATC is busy, YOU have a built in set of instructions to follow (other planes will have an idea where you are). If you were coming in from the north, you already have a feel for the winds. If you pick up the arc at the proper radial and  know your plane, it'd be pretty tough to get too far off that arc.  All you gotta do is turn onto the arc at the intersection.. remember the winds, watch your DME and just "feel" your course around the short arc (watching your altitude) (I'd tune the OBS to the final-approach heading as soon as I was on the arc) turning a nice, smooth (DME referenced) course .

There really wouldn't be much difference in the path you'd follow if you were constantly fiddling with your OBS (and making constant bank changes) if you just watch your DME.

Once you reach the final approach radial, turn indound and start descending.

 
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Reply #16 - Jul 7th, 2005 at 4:04pm

OTTOL   Offline
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Fintas, Kuwait (OKBK)

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Quote:
Is it just me or does a DME Arc seem like alot of work in just a few minutes/secons  Shocked

From setting up the radios and such to the OBS and distances.  I guess in a slow aircraft it would not be as bad but suppose you are in a B1900D how does the pilots set this up in such a short period of time, also what about pilots who are by themselves?
The key is(and this applies to ANY approach), reviewing the approach and setting up as much of the panel as possible (without disturbing your enroute navigation guidance) as early as possible. In the jets, we generally 'brief the approach' and setup the airplane as much as possible at least 20-30 minutes from the destination. You are correct though, even in a two man cockpit, it is alot of work and rapid-fire situational awareness in a short period of time. 
 

.....so I loaded up the plane and moved to Middle-EEEE..........OIL..that is......
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