Quote:
Originally Posted by meritflyer 
You will stay the new heading until you've reached your next point in your route ...
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INcorrect. You'll stay on the assigned heading until receiving another clearance, or until you lose radio contact, at which point those rules intervene. The "next point in your route" is irrelevant.
When you're assigned a heading, fly the heading. It really IS that simple.
ATC SHOULD give you a reason for the vector, but often times they'll skip that because they're busy trying to DEAL with the reason. If it's been a while, and it's quiet, and you're curious or suspicious, just ask, "Say reason for vector, and when can I expect further clearance?" Then you might hear something like, "Short vector for traffic, expect clearance on course in 6 miles." That's good information to have if you go NORDO, right?
OK... quick review. Your flight plan goes from Airport A to VOR B then to VOR C and then to VOR D, and eventually to Airport X. You take off, and are cleared direct to VOR B. Prior to reaching VOR B, you are given a vector. This vector takes you abeam VOR B, and directly over VOR C. What do you do? Turn towards VOR D, since that's what your flightplan calls for? Or continue on the assigned heading? Yeah, that's the ticket.
Meritflyer, perhaps you meant to say that. I just wanted to clarify on the chance that someone would interpret your advice literally.
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