Intercepting dme arc on A320
 

Hi all. Is there any way to intercet a published dme arc on an approach on the A320 at any point other than at the IAF? Soo far, the only way I'm told is to create waypoints say every 10 degrees at the required distance. This can be time consuming and tedious especially if ATC gives late clearance for the approach.

For the record I don't fly the A320, just an aircraft with a similar fmc system.

Thanks

Aside from flying on HDG I assume?

As far as I know there is no way for a pilot to create a DME arc in the FMGS using the MCDU - if it's in the database then you can use it, great, otherwise as you rightly say, create a series of points - painful.

However, you can do it manually: Display the arc using FIX INFO (1L - 1R FIX INFO - Navaid - Radius if your FMGS is the same as the A320). Select TRK/FPA on the FCU (again, assuming it is the same as the A320) then steer the aircraft around the corner.

Yes. Nothing wrong with the old fashion way of HDG and bearing needles, just wondered if there was a way for the FMC to do it seeing as though it so nicely draws the arc in the MFD.

@The_African_Dude. Thanks for your reply. I don't want to "create" an arc. Just want to intercept one already published on an approach.

I haven't tried it yet, but it should work on the A320 FMS/FCU:

f you want to intercept an arc that is already published and available in the FMS, but taking it downstream of the IAF, get the IAF as "FROM" waypoint in the FMS while steering in HDG mode and join at the desired place with NAV blue (HDG selector pushed while in HDG mode away from FMS planned track), it should intercept the track, shouldn't it?

As I said, haven't tried it, anyone who did?

IN NAV-Mode: up to date, MSN fivethousendandsomething, NO WAY to itcpt a FMS data base programmed arc at any point other than via the IAF. Any other trials makes the date base arc getting lost

Option: manual only = HDG + RMI or VOR-needle = basic IFR like "in the good old times" or you build an arc with several PBD's if your prefer to fly the arc in NAV. Once you have good proficiency playing with the FMS it's not that big deal. A PBD every 15 to 20 degree gives from a pragmatic point of view quite a nice arc. Better than flying the arc with basic IFR skills if you haven't done it for a longer time. or if you do not know how to do.

EGLL27L/150/11
EGLL27L/140/11
EGLL27L/120/11
EGLL27L/095/11

How is that painful?

Some database providers will code a DME arc in the procedure. Arcs are rare in my part of the world, but the few we have on our network are available as tracks.