Narrative:

We were cruising at FL360 on a course of approximately 240 degrees. Center gave us a left turn for traffic to 190 degrees. After being on this heading for only a couple of minutes; the controller cleared us to proceed direct XXXX1-XXXX2-XXX2; flight plan route. We were already in managed mode and immediately complied with the clearance. The turn from the 190 degree assigned heading to XXXX1 was an easy turn though we were relatively close to XXXX1. The right turn from XXXX1 to XXXX2 is an approximate 60 degrees. The plane began an early (lazy) turn; as is the airbus characteristic. The controller told us to stop our turn at approximately 220 degrees and told us we were near a restricted area. The controller had a hot mike; and while he talked to someone else in center; we heard him say the airbus had cut the corner. Subsequently; we were cleared direct XXX2 and flight planned route. Neither XXXX1 nor XXXX2 are mandatory overfly fixes; and we were not told to overfly either fix. The airbus flight characteristic to fly-by a fix; combined with the close proximity of XXXX2 to the restricted airspace; and the large 60 degree right turn to XXX2 caused the plane to fly closer than desired to the airspace. At altitude; in the higher mach range; the airbus cannot turn as tightly as a boeing; and unless overfly instructions are given; a wide lead turn will result. Controllers system wide should be rebriefed on the characteristics of the airbus. Crews need to remind controllers of these limitations if a tight turn is expected. Clearances that just barely miss a sensitive airspace should not be given.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An A319 FMC; by design; made a shortened turn over a flyby airway waypoint at FL360 and nearly entered a nearby restricted area.

Narrative: We were cruising at FL360 on a course of approximately 240 degrees. Center gave us a left turn for traffic to 190 degrees. After being on this heading for only a couple of minutes; the Controller cleared us to proceed direct XXXX1-XXXX2-XXX2; flight plan route. We were already in managed mode and immediately complied with the clearance. The turn from the 190 degree assigned heading to XXXX1 was an easy turn though we were relatively close to XXXX1. The right turn from XXXX1 to XXXX2 is an approximate 60 degrees. The plane began an early (lazy) turn; as is the Airbus characteristic. The controller told us to stop our turn at approximately 220 degrees and told us we were near a restricted area. The controller had a hot mike; and while he talked to someone else in center; we heard him say the Airbus had cut the corner. Subsequently; we were cleared direct XXX2 and flight planned route. Neither XXXX1 nor XXXX2 are mandatory overfly fixes; and we were not told to overfly either fix. The Airbus flight characteristic to fly-by a fix; combined with the close proximity of XXXX2 to the restricted airspace; and the large 60 degree right turn to XXX2 caused the plane to fly closer than desired to the airspace. At altitude; in the higher mach range; the Airbus cannot turn as tightly as a Boeing; and unless overfly instructions are given; a wide lead turn will result. Controllers system wide should be rebriefed on the characteristics of the Airbus. Crews need to remind controllers of these limitations if a tight turn is expected. Clearances that just barely miss a sensitive airspace should not be given.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.