"A Lieberman" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 09 Jul 2005 20:47:41 -0600, Newps wrote:

You have a digital readout that gives exact distance. The controller
looks at the little space between you and the VOR symbol on the radar
scope. That symbol, a circle, is about a mile in diameter. The
controller looks at that space and he came up with 3 miles. He was off
a mile. No big deal.

Newps,

Thanks for your reply.

It may not be too big a deal from the ATC side, but one mile would be a
big
deal for a spam can like myself.

Its not a big deal if you realize that ATC isn't going to give your exact
distance.

1) ATC is not responsible for calibrating your DME.
2) ATC assumes you will be able to figure out when you cross the VOR
3) This specific approach can use time to identify the MAP

As a CFII, I always seem to have students with GPS and DME who feel
compelled to question ATC for distance discrepancies of about a mile. After
we visit an ATC approach control facility (its on my instrument syllabus)
and see how controllers determine distance, that annoying habit usually goes
away