Chart Wise: Flying a DME Arc

For many pilots, the only time we’ll ever encounter a DME arc is during instrument training or on a check ride. Still, it’s a good idea to know how to fly one. The good news is that a DME arc is simple once you understand how to execute it. One common misconception many pilots have is that an arc should be flown as if it were a continuous circle around the station. To make things easier, think of it instead as a series of short, straight lines that form a type of polygon. Have a look below for a deeper explanation.

Chart courtesy of Jeppesen