Intercepting and flying QDMs and QDRs.

Peter Bremer
16 February 2007

To intercept QDM
1) Use another compass rose as a map, e.g. a VOR indicator. Set QDM or QDR at the top of the rose. The NDB is the middle. The line from the bottom of the rose to the NDB is the QDM line to fly. From this line we have two times 4 sectors (left and right): 0 30: sector 1 30 60: sector 2 60 90: sector 3 90 180: sector 4 2) Determine current sector with back of ADF arrow.
Example: Intercept QDM 090. Initial heading 135. Add wind corrections as necessary.

Sector 4 3) Fly a reverse track of QDM until abeam NDB. 4) Fly another two minutes in same direction. 5) Fly a track perpendicular towards the QDM until in sector 1.

Sector 3 3) Fly a reverse track of QDM until in sector 2 or 1 for a maximum of 2 minutes. 4) If still in sector 3 fly a track perpendicular towards the QDM until in sector 1

Sector 2 3) Fly a track perpendicular towards the QDM until in sector 1.

Sector 1 3) Intercept QDM at 45 intercept angle.

a) Position 120 Sector 4 b) Fly track 270 until abeam c) Fly track 270 for another two minutes.

a) Position 200 Sector 3 b) Fly track 270 until in sector 2 or sector 1.

a) Position 220 Sector 2 b) Fly track 360 until in sector 1. (position 240)

a) Position 250 Sector 1 b) Fly track 045 to intercept.

d) Fly track 360 until in sector 1 (position 240).

c) If still in sector 3 fly track 360 until in sector 1 (position 240).

To intercept QDR
1) Use another compass rose as a map, e.g. a VOR indicator. Set QDR or QDM at the top of the rose. The NDB is the middle. The line from the NDB to the top of the rose is the QDR line to fly. From this line we have two times 2 sectors (left and right): 0 90: sector 1 90 180: sector 2 2) Determine current sector with ADF.
Example: Intercept QDM 090. Add wind corrections as necessary.

Sector 2 3) Fly the same track as QDR until abeam NDB, is same as entering sector 1.

Sector 1 3) Intercept QDR at 45 intercept angle.

a) Position 240 Sector 2 b) Fly track until abeam (position 180).

a) Position 150 Sector 1 b) b) Fly track 045 to intercept.

To fly QDM
Here More, Steer More Here Less, Steer Less Steer a track, which is twice the distance of the arrowhead from the QDM.

10 degrees left of track heading 060

10 degrees right of track heading 060

10 degrees left of track heading 120

10 degrees right of track heading 120

Example: Follow QDM 090. No wind. Wrong heading. Off track sector 1.

QDM 090 Here More Steer More Fly heading 110

QDM 090 Here Less Steer Less Fly heading 070

QDM 090 Here More Steer More Fly heading 110

QDM 090 Here Less Steer Less Fly heading 070

Arrowhead will fall to QDM 090

Arrowhead will fall to QDM 090

Arrowhead will fall to QDM 090

Arrowhead will fall to QDM 090

To fly QDR
Steer Reverse. Steer a track, which mirrors the back of the arrow in the QDR.

10 degrees left of track heading 060

10 degrees right of track heading 060

10 degrees left of track heading 120

10 degrees right of track heading 120

Example: Follow QDR 090. No wind. Wrong heading. Off track sector 1.

QDR 090 Steer Reverse Fly heading 100

QDR 090 Steer Reverse Fly heading 080

QDR 090 Steer Reverse Fly heading 100

QDR 090 Steer Reverse Fly heading 080

Arrowhead will fall; Back of arrow will be pulled to QDR 090

Arrowhead will fall; Back of arrow will be pulled to QDR 090

Arrowhead will fall; Back of arrow will be pulled to QDR 090

Arrowhead will fall; Back of arrow will be pulled to QDR 090

To fly QDM with wind correction

Here More, Steer More Here Less, Steer Less Steer a track, which is twice the distance of the arrowhead from the QDM.
Example: Follow QDM 090. Wind correction: 10 degrees left. Correct heading 080 Off track sector 1.

5 degrees left of track

On track

5 degrees right of track

Here More Steer More Fly track 100 Fly heading 090

Fly track 090 Fly heading 080

Here Less Steer Less Fly track 080 Fly heading 070

Compared to track 100 arrowhead will fall to QDM 090

(Compared to track 080) arrowhead will fall to QDM 090

To fly QDR with wind correction

Steer Reverse. Steer track, which mirrors the back of the arrow in the QDR.

5 degrees left of track

On track

5 degrees right of track

Steer Reverse Fly track 095 Fly heading 085 Example: Follow QDR 090. Wind correction: 10 degrees left. Correct heading 080 Off track sector 1.

Fly track 090 Fly heading 080

Steer Reverse Fly track 085 Fly heading 075

Compared to track 095 Arrowhead will fall; Back of arrow will be pulled to QDR 090

(Compared to track 085) Arrowhead will fall; Back of arrow will be pulled to QDR 090