Not safe nor is it legal.

If you are 90 degrees to the localizer then you know you should be getting
another heading change to intercept. You usally get your clearance
instructions at the same time as the intercept heading. If you are getting
in close to the localizer, it does not take much time to call ATC and say
"NNN is looking for a turn". This is a very friendly reminder when you feel
that you should have already received your intercept heading and further
instructions.

"Doug" wrote in message
om...
Several times, while under IFR flight plan and radar services, I have
been vectored to intercept the localizer and the controller was late
in turning me into the localizer. This usually happens when I need
about a 90 degree turn to the localizer. I have decided not to wait
for his vector and just turn. This has always been when the freq is
busy. There is a very small time window to turn (about 15 seconds), so
if the freq is busy, I can't request a turn before I am past, so now,
if this happens, I just turn. I told a CFII this and he said, ok, but
its not really the legal thing to do. I believe it is the safe thing
to do, and therefore legal. Any opinions from the group?