Definition
A visual technique used in VFR or partial-panel flying where the pilot maintains a desired track around a point or station by keeping the wingtip aligned with a chosen ground reference or bearing. In the context of a DME arc, it refers to flying the aircraft so that the wingtip points approximately at the station, which keeps the aircraft on a constant-distance arc around it.
Plain English
Using the tip of the wing as a sighting line. By keeping the station or a ground feature lined up with the wingtip, the pilot can fly a curved path that stays the same distance from that point.
Context Anchor
Used during DME arc procedures in instrument flying, where the pilot must stay a set distance from a navigation station while turning around it.
Why Pilots Care
Provides a simple, reliable visual trigger that reduces timing errors and keeps the aircraft on the desired arc distance without constant instrument cross-check.
Analogy
Think of swinging a ball on a string around your hand. The string stays the same length because it always points back to the centre. The wingtip pointing at the station does the same job — it keeps the aircraft at a fixed distance as it curves around.
Grounding Statement
On a DME arc, the station should feel like it is beside you while you travel around it, not like a point you are flying directly toward or away from.
Intuition Check
Do not read “wingtip reference” as looking at the physical wingtip to find the station. In this context, it means using the side of the aircraft—the 90-degree position from the nose—as a direction reference.
Example Sentence 1
While flying the 10 DME arc, the pilot used wingtip reference to keep the VOR station roughly off the left wingtip and maintain a constant distance.
Example Sentence 2
On the outbound arc the instructor reminded the student to watch for the wingtip reference before rolling out on the 090 radial.