AIM Text
- Pilots of aircraft are required to adhere to airways or routes being flown. Special attention must be given to this requirement during course changes. Each course change consists of variables that make the technique applicable in each case a matter only the pilot can resolve. Some variables which must be considered are turn radius, wind effect, airspeed, degree of turn, and cockpit instrumentation. An early turn, as illustrated below, is one method of adhering to airways or routes. The use of any available cockpit instrumentation, such as Distance Measuring Equipment, may be used by the pilot to lead the turn when making course changes. This is consistent with the intent of 14 CFR section 91.181, which requires pilots to operate along the centerline of an airway and along the direct course between navigational aids or fixes.
- Turns which begin at or after fix passage may exceed airway or route boundaries. FIG 5-3-1 contains an example flight track depicting this, together with an example of an early turn.
- Without such actions as leading a turn, aircraft operating in excess of 290 knots true air speed (TAS) can exceed the normal airway or route boundaries depending on the amount of course change required, wind direction and velocity, the character of the turn fix (DME, overhead navigation aid, or intersection), and the pilot's technique in making a course change. For example, a flight operating at 17,000 feet MSL with a TAS of 400 knots, a 25 degree bank, and a course change of more than 40 degrees would exceed the width of the airway or route; i.e., 4 nautical miles each side of centerline. However, in the airspace below 18,000 feet MSL, operations in excess of 290 knots TAS are not prevalent and the provision of additional IFR separation in all course change situations for the occasional aircraft making a turn in excess of 290 knots TAS creates an unacceptable waste of airspace and imposes a penalty upon the preponderance of traffic which operate at low speeds. Consequently, the FAA expects pilots to lead turns and take other actions they consider necessary during course changes to adhere as closely as possible to the airways or route being flown.
Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 5-3-5.
The short answer
This AIM section is FAA advisory guidance on flying airway and route course changes. It explains how variables such as turn radius, wind, airspeed, bank, and the turn fix affect staying on course, and recommends leading turns (e.g. using DME). It supports 14 CFR 91.181, which requires pilots to operate along the airway centerline and the direct course between aids or fixes.
Research Notes
Common Questions
How should pilots make a course change to stay on the airway?
The AIM identifies an early turn as one method of adhering to airways or routes, and says available cockpit instrumentation such as Distance Measuring Equipment may be used to lead the turn. This is consistent with 14 CFR 91.181, which requires operating along the centerline. Turns begun at or after fix passage may exceed airway boundaries.
At what speed can an aircraft exceed the airway boundary in a turn?
The AIM example shows a flight at 17,000 feet MSL, 400 knots TAS, 25 degrees of bank, and a course change of more than 40 degrees would exceed the airway width of 4 nautical miles each side of centerline. It notes aircraft operating in excess of 290 knots TAS can exceed normal route boundaries without leading the turn.
Why isn't extra IFR separation provided for fast turns below 18,000 feet?
Per the AIM, below 18,000 feet MSL operations in excess of 290 knots TAS are not prevalent, so providing additional IFR separation for the occasional fast turn would waste airspace and penalize the majority of low-speed traffic. Instead, the FAA expects pilots to lead turns and take other actions to adhere as closely as possible to the route.