"Proceed on Course" = "Right turn approved"?

On Thu, 15 Jul 2004 19:44:28 -0400, "Bob Chilcoat"
wrote:

I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn approved".
This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't been cleared for a
right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me on course sooner. I then
said "Request right turn to on course" but the controller seemed a bit
irritated and just added "On course approved". Did I have permission for a
right turn in the pattern or not?

You were given free reign to get on course any way you saw fit. He
must've been slow and didn't need to send you in any particular
direction.

z

"Bob Chilcoat" wrote in message
...

I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course
heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn
approved".
This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't been cleared for a
right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me on course sooner. I
then
said "Request right turn to on course" but the controller seemed a bit
irritated and just added "On course approved". Did I have permission for
a
right turn in the pattern or not?


Why would you need specific permission for a right turn? "Proceed on
course" means a turn on course in the shortest direction. In your case, a
right turn is about 155 degrees while a left turn is about 205 degrees, so
you should turn right.

On Thu, 15 Jul 2004 19:44:28 -0400, "Bob Chilcoat"
wrote:

I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn approved".
This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't been cleared for a
right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me on course sooner. I then
said "Request right turn to on course" but the controller seemed a bit
irritated and just added "On course approved". Did I have permission for a
right turn in the pattern or not?

On course means just that. You had permission to make a turn to
oncourse. Unless previous instructions had been given, I would assume
the shortest turn to 'on course' was expected.

the shortest turn to reach the desired heading..

a good response would have been, "roger, cleared on course, right to heading
105"
that would have given the controller the acknowledgement and some
information without questioning

BT

"Bob Chilcoat" wrote in message
...
I took of from Reading, PA this morning from RW 31 with an on-course
heading
of 105. As I was cleared for takeoff, I was told "Cleared for takeoff,
proceed on course". In the past, they've also added "Right turn
approved".
This time they didn't. I was concerned that I hadn't been cleared for a
right turn, and a right turn would have gotten me on course sooner. I
then
said "Request right turn to on course" but the controller seemed a bit
irritated and just added "On course approved". Did I have permission for
a
right turn in the pattern or not?

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)

I don't have to like Bush and Cheney (Or Kerry, for that matter) to love
America