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Teaching and Learning Flying - Airplane Instrument Rating

VOR Navigation


DEFINITION

VOR navigation consists of determining location relative to, tracking to and from, and intercepting radials to and from VOR stations.

SAFETY FACTORS

Knowledge and skill in VOR navigation leads to enhanced positional awareness and safer, more accurate flight.

TOLERANCES

Instrument Rating PTS (FAA-S-8081-4D)
V.A. Intercepting and tracking navigational systems
To determine that the applicant:
  1. Exhibits adequate knowledge of the elements related to intercepting and tracking navigational systems and DME arcs.
  2. Tunes and correctly identifies the navigation facility.
  3. Sets and correctly orients the course to be intercepted into the course selector or correctly identifies the course on the RMI.
  4. Intercepts the specified course at a predetermined angle, inbound or outbound from a navigational facility.
  5. Maintains the airspeed within +/-10 knots, altitude within +/-100 feet, and selected headings within +/-5°.
  6. Applies proper correction to maintain a course, allowing no more than ¾-scale deflection of the CDI or within +/-10° in case of an RMI.
  7. Determines the aircraft position relative to the navigational facility or from a waypoint in the case of GPS.
  8. Intercepts a DME arc and maintains that arc within +/- 1 nautical mile.
  9. Recognizes navigational receiver or facility failure, and when required reports the failure to ATC.

OBJECTIVES

Encourage mastery of the elements of VOR navigation.
Develop student knowledge and skill in VOR navigation to meet the Instrument Pilot PTS.

PROCEDURES

Preflight Discussion Inflight Postflight
  • Critique student performance

COMMON ERRORS

  • Incorrect tuning and indentification procedures
      1. Check correct facility
      2. Correct frequency
      3. Correct radio
      4. Correct Morse code/voice ID
  • Failure to properly set the navigation selector on the course to be intercepted
      Tracking TO or FROM station?
  • Failure to use proper procedures for course interception and tracking
      Follow proper procedures in order like a checklist

References
    14 CFR parts 61, 91
    AIM
    Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15


Greg Gordon MD, CFII
Updated: