how to determine track angle using 1 in 60 rule?

Question

This is regarding navigation of aircraft.

Answer 1

This is one of the simpler rules in aviation. If you fly for sixty miles each degree off track will result in a cross track error of the same number of miles. I use it as a simple calculation to give an ILS intercept when intercepting a final approach track close to 90 degrees., e.g. I want a ten mile final so I put in a 11 degree (to allow for the turn) offset at 60 miles or a 22 degree offset at 30 miles.

Conversely if you find yourself 5 miles off track a twenty degree heading change will place you back on track in 15 miles.

Answer 2

A Basic rule is this.

Take your distance gone and divide it by your distance off track. This will give you your angle which you have flown 'off track'.

e.g. If you have travelled 50nm and you are 5nm off track. 50nm divide by 5 would give you 10. Thus you are 10 degrees off track.

Same goes when you are trying to reagain track. Distance to go divided by distance off track would give you your correction angle.

To regain a track to your desired point, add the track error angle and the correction angle together, then turn in the appropriate direction.

Hope this helps