Which do you do; stay on a heading or proceed on course?

Question

If ATC tells you to turn to heading 090, maintain 5000, proceed on course, do they want you to fly 090 until further notice of turn to get on your flight planned route?

Answer 1

Fly 090 until you intercept the radial/bearing/course that defines your route, then resume your own navigation. That isn't standard phraseology, though. You're more likely to hear "Fly heading 090, intercept V226, resume own navigation" or "Fly heading 090, proceed direct SBJ when able, resume own navigation."



That "resume own navigation" is key. That means that the controller is done vectoring you and that you are back on your own. If in doubt, ask.

Answer 2

Proceed on course means you should follow what they tell you. If they say turn to 090, stay on 090. If they say Resume Own Navigation, that means you can switch to GPS navigation, and you are on your own. Fly until ATC gives further instructions.

Answer 3

If you are flying IFR and they tell you to steer 090 and maintain 5000, then you MUST steer 090 until you are released by the controller to steer another heading. When they say "proceed on course", they mean to proceed on heading 090 until told otherwise.

Answer 4

I'll add to Bizjets correct answer that your hypothetical clearance is incomplete and would not be issued by ATC in that format. Either they will tell you to fly a heading, possibly to intercept something or until reaching some point, or they will tell you to proceed on course, but not both unless additional information is provided.



A proper example would be:



"fly zero niner zero degrees and maintain five thousand feet until leaving class bravo airspace, then proceed on course".



Or it might be



"fly zero niner zero degrees to intercept the one two zero degree radial of the XYZ Vortac , then proceed on course. Maintain five thousand".



or it might be



"fly zero niner zero degrees until reaching five thousand feet, then proceed on course.

Answer 5

You should never hear that from ATC, as it is non-standard and ambiguous. Ask for clarification if you hear it. "Resume own navigation" is more likely, and is standard.



You may hear it on VATSIM or IVAO, where some controllers persist in using this phrase from time to time even though it is non-standard and unclear.



If you ever do not understand what ATC is telling you, always ask for clarification. Never guess.

Answer 6

You turn to the heading, maintain 5,000, then proceed on course I believe

Answer 7

where do you fly/i want to make sure i am not near you