I need help with compass/time turns in the SR-20.?

Question

I am having a problem with time turns in the Cirrus SR-20. The main problem is figuring out where headings are in relation to my current heading. In the Cessna with "steam gauges" I could use the OBS on VOR to do just that, but in the cirrus with the Avidyne, I am left with just the compass during partial panel. With the compass I can only see 40 degrees to the right and left of my current heading which makes it hard to determine which way (right or left) is fastest to get to my desired heading and also how many degrees is it off of my current heading. Any tips to help me out? Thanks.

Answer 1

I have this problem in my airplane, which has a glass panel and no round instruments to use as visual aids for things like computing base leg headings.

Make a compass rose on a sticky note and slap it on the panel when your instruments start failing. Expect the instructor to snatch it from you, though.

If you have an analog clock, use the face of the clock. Every digit is 30 degrees and takes ten seconds for a standard-rate turn. So if your current heading is 210 and you're turning left to 090, that corresponds to 7 and 3 on the clock face, which is 4 x 30 degrees = 120 degrees and 4 x 10 seconds = 40 seconds.

Practice your math. One easy thing for determining direction of the turn is this: If your current heading is less than 180, then if the new heading falls between current and current + 180, it's a right turn. Otherwise it's left. If your current heading is greater than 180, then if the new heading is between current heading minus 180 and the current heading, it's a left turn. Otherwise it's right.

Answer 2

visualise it in your head before turning.