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:
- Exhibits adequate knowledge of the elements related to intercepting and tracking navigational systems and DME arcs.
- Tunes and correctly identifies the navigation facility.
- Sets and correctly orients the course to be intercepted into the course selector or correctly identifies the course on the RMI.
- Intercepts the specified course at a predetermined angle, inbound or outbound from a navigational facility.
- Maintains the airspeed within +/-10 knots, altitude within +/-100 feet, and selected headings within +/-5°.
- 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.
- Determines the aircraft position relative to the navigational facility or from a waypoint in the case of GPS.
- Intercepts a DME arc and maintains that arc within +/- 1 nautical mile.
- 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- VOR operating characteristics
- VOR components
- VOR orientation, tracking
- VOR course interception
- Course interception without initial turn to parallel:
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Determine present radial you are on
Find difference between radial on and radial to intercept
Double this difference to find intercept angle between 20 and 90°
Turn to intercept new radial at this angle
- Coach student practice
- VOR orientation, tracking
- VOR course interception
- Critique student performance
COMMON ERRORS
- Incorrect tuning and indentification procedures
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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
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Tracking TO or FROM station?
- Failure to use proper procedures for course interception and tracking
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Follow proper procedures in order like a checklist
References