At Angel Aviation, we know flying IFR means more than following the magenta line. Intercepting and tracking courses—whether they’re on a VOR, GPS, or DME arc—demands precision, situational awareness, and solid technique. Your DPE isn’t just looking for button-pushing; they want to see that you are in control of the navigation, not your panel.

This guide breaks down Instrument Rating ACS Area III: Navigation Systems, including the techniques, common errors, and checkride tips that will help you nail this section with confidence.

🎯 What the Examiner Is Looking For

Under ACS Area III Task A, the examiner will expect you to:

  • Tune, identify, and verify navigational aids (VOR, LOC, GPS, RNAV)

  • Intercept and track radials, bearings, or courses to/from a station or fix

  • Recognize and correct for wind drift

  • Demonstrate situational awareness during all phases of tracking

  • Fly a DME arc with correct entry, radius, and heading adjustments

🧭 Intercepting and Tracking a Course: Step-by-Step

Whether you’re flying to a VOR or following a GPS course, the steps are largely the same:

  1. Tune and Identify the Station
     Always verify the Morse code or visual ID on your PFD. Don’t skip it.

  2. Set the Desired Course
     Twist in your desired radial or course using the OBS or course selector.

  3. Determine the Intercept Angle
     Use a 30–45° intercept angle for enroute, tighter angles for terminal work.

  4. Intercept the Course
     Fly the intercept heading until the CDI starts to center, then turn to track.

  5. Track the Course with Wind Correction
     Crab into the wind. Don’t chase the needle—stabilize and watch for drift.

📐 DME Arcs: The Hardest Part Made Easy

DME arcs can be intimidating, but they’re just a series of mini-intercepts around a circle.

Here’s how to fly them cleanly:

  1. Intercepting the Arc

    • Fly inbound to the arc entry radial.

    • As you hit the correct DME distance (e.g., 10 DME), turn 90° to the arc.

  2. Maintaining the Arc

    • Keep the DME constant (±1 NM).

    • Adjust heading every 10° of bearing change to stay on the arc.

    • Use “twist 10, turn 10”: twist the OBS 10°, then turn 10° to stay aligned.

  3. Exiting the Arc

    • Twist in the inbound course to your next fix.

    • As the bearing pointer nears the desired radial/course, make your turn inbound.

💡 Checkride Tips

  • Always brief the nav aid or procedure before entering the area.

  • Don’t forget station passage—watch for flag switches or full deflections.

  • Keep one eye on the CDI, one eye on your situational picture.

  • Smooth turns and heading corrections beat last-second overcorrections every time.

  • Use your DME, GPS distance, or bearing pointer to validate position—never rely on just one source.

🚫 Common Mistakes

  • Failing to identify the nav aid

  • Forgetting wind correction during course tracking

  • Overshooting the intercept angle or DME arc entry point

  • Not twisting in the inbound course early enough during arc exits

  • Making large heading corrections that cause needle chasing

✅ Final Word

Intercepting and tracking isn’t just a technical skill—it’s a mindset. Stay ahead of the airplane, cross-check often, and fly with intention. The goal is not perfection, but control, precision, and understanding.

Whether you’re flying a raw-data VOR approach or GPS-to-DME arc transition, Angel Aviation trains you to fly like a pro—not just pass a test.

Want to sharpen your IFR flying or prep for your checkride? Schedule a sim session or flight with one of our instrument instructors today.

Fly smart. Fly sharp. Fly Angel.