tscottme writes:

There are a couple of techniques I've never been particularly good at while
flying, proper rudder work, and smooth turn onto a VOR radial without over
or undershooting the needle. What's a good way to smoothly know when to
start a standard rate turn onto the heading to intercept a VOR/GPS course on
the OBS?

My flying these days is with PC sims and often with an HSI. With an HSI you
have the lubber line and can keep the end of the lubber line on the needle
as it swings to get good results. What would be the non-HSI equivalent for
spam can flying?

It is theoretically possible to calculate the exact turn required to land
precisely on a desired radial, but this type of calculation is extremely
awkward to carry out in flight, even with a calculator.

Shortcuts can be very useful for specific situations and specific aircraft,
but they are rarely applicable or accurate outside the very specific
circumstances for which they were developed.

I think the only practical way to turn precisely is with practice in a
specific aircraft. A great deal of practice probably isn't required, just a
few hours of practicing turns. Of course, if you change to a new aircraft, or
to a new flight regime, you'll have to practice again.

Even autopilots don't necessarily turn right on the mark. It depends on how
sophisticated the autopilot is (obviously airliners can afford better ones
than small private aircraft).