Diversion Procedures

[Scorpion83]

Hey Ppruners,

Just have a quick question regarding VFR diversion procedures.

Is it
Time - Log the time and position from where you diverted
Turn - Turn onto a heading that you think is in that general direction
Talk - You must tell Flight Watch about your ammended Flight Plan

or

Work out your diversion route first from your next 6 minute marker, then Turn Time Talk?

It seems the first method is faster, but I could see myself getting lost over tiger country doing it.

[Capt Mo]

Mate,

It depends on the situation - if you know in advance that you will be making a diversion, plan it as accurately as you can, but if you dont have alot of time, estimate tracks, distances, consider the wind, pick large features (if there are any) for track guidance work out a position fix and turn - once turned, get a fix asap and make any corrections to your heading - work out eta's etc and once you know where you were, are and are going call up flightwatch. It all comes back to Aviate.Navigate.Communicate. Remember to keep your head outside the cockpit as much as you can!

Early on in the PPL training, I would give students plenty of notice so that they could plan their diversion and make all the necessary considerations so that the diversion is (in most cases:p) successful, later on as you become more comfortable with the procedure we might give you an unexpected diversion with little time for planning, but you would expect this more during your later CPL training.

I have a good handout at work for diversion procedures, if you're after more information PM me and I'll send it through.

Cheers,

Capt Mo :ok:

[Capt Claret]

Whilst the old maxim is "Aviate, Navigate, Communicate"; if you Log, Turn, and then TALK, you risk popping into things unknown and without having the chance to warn anyone you're coming.

If you work it out then talk, others hear what you're intending, and if you've planned unwittingly to fly through a live firing range, there's a chance ATS can warn you.

[Scorpion83]

Thanks for the info!