I fly 1 or 2 miles right of track but ATC hate it. Doesn't suit their system apparently.
and:
In the old days, airways were 10nm wide, ie 5nm either side of centre. We used to be able to maneurvre within it without getting clearances. When did that change and how wide is an airway these days?
I agree in concept with the safety benefits of track offsets. However, without getting into the debate about how logical these requirement may be, the Jepps do have this to say on the matter (ATC pg 508 sec 5.6):
5.6.1 "In controlled airspace, separation standards are based on the pilot maintaining track as closely as possible at all times. Corrective action must be taken to regain track as soon as any deviation is observed"
5.6.2 d. "where track guidance is provided by an RNAV system - an indicated cross-track deviation of +/-2 NM or more"
and the sub note at the end of it all:
"The values given above must not be interpreted as definining a sector within which the pilot is permitted to navigate." Which is followed by:
5.7.1 "In controlled airspace, any deviation from track requires prior clearance from ATC, except in emergency. The values given in paragraphs 5.6 and 5.11 must
not be interpreted as tolerances within which deviations from track without clearance are permitted."
The current rules don't condone uncleared pilot initiated lateral offsets in CTA.