Difference between revisions of "Navigate Using a VOR"

{{fa}}VOR, short for VHF Omni-directional Range, is a type of radio navigation system for [[Identify a Commercial Aircraft|aircraft]]. VORs broadcast a VHF radio composite signal including the station's [[Learn Morse Code|Morse code]] identifier (and sometimes a voice identifier), and data that allows the airborne receiving equipment to derive the magnetic bearing from the station to the aircraft (direction from the VOR station in relation to the earth's magnetic North, at the time of installation). This line of position is called the "radial" in VOR parlance. [[Become an Airline Pilot|Pilots]] then use this information to determine their exact position and navigate to their destination. This article assumes you already have some basic working knowledge of flying an aircraft.

{{fa}}VOR, short for VHF Omni-directional Range, is a type of radio navigation system for [[Identify a Commercial Aircraft|aircraft]]. VORs broadcast a VHF radio composite signal including the station's [[Learn Morse Code|Morse code]] identifier (and sometimes a voice identifier), and data that allows the airborne receiving equipment to derive the magnetic bearing from the station to the aircraft (direction from the VOR station in relation to the earth's magnetic North, at the time of installation). This line of position is called the "radial" in VOR parlance. [[Become an Airline Pilot|Pilots]] then use this information to determine their exact position and navigate to their destination. This article assumes you already have some basic working knowledge of flying an aircraft.

== Steps ==

== Steps ==

#Tune and identify. Tune the VOR frequency in the navigation radio. It will be listed on VFR and IFR charts as well as instrument approaches if it is a part of the approach. Identify that you have the correct station and the signal is reliable by listening to the Morse code identifier. If you see a red “NAV” or “VOR” flag, barber pole, or OFF instead of a  TO/FR indication, the signal is unreliable, you are overhead, or roughly 90º from the selected radial.  The signal is unreliable when you cannot hear the Morse Code identifier. A red “GS” flag is not a VOR indication.

#Tune and identify. Tune the VOR frequency in the navigation radio. It will be listed on VFR and IFR charts as well as instrument approaches if it is a part of the approach. Identify that you have the correct station and the signal is reliable by listening to the Morse code identifier. If you see a red “NAV” or “VOR” flag, barber pole, or OFF instead of a  TO/FR indication, the signal is unreliable, you are overhead, or roughly 90º from the selected radial.  The signal is unreliable when you cannot hear the Morse Code identifier. A red “GS” flag is not a VOR indication.