Skip to main content

Ground-Based Navigation

VHF Omni-directional Range (VOR)​

VORs operate within the 108.0 to 117.95 MHz frequency band and have a power output necessary to provide coverage within their assigned operational service volume. They are subject to line-of-sight restrictions, and the range varies proportionally to the altitude of the receiving equipment.

  • During periods of maintenance, the facility may radiate a T-E-S-T code (- ● ●●● -) or the code may be removed
  • Most VORs are equipped for voice transmission on the VOR frequency. VORs without voice capability are indicated by the letter “W” (without voice) included in the class designator (VORW).
  • Charted: VOR / VORDME / VORTAC
  • Signal sweeps around starting at north
  • We turn our VOR to a specific frequency, which corresponds
  • TO/FROM flag
  • To go to the VOR, go "to it and through it", meaning through the course
  • Intercepting radial:
    • Fly an intercept
    • Radials get further apart as you get farther from the station

Same-side safe​

"Same side safe" is a convenient mental process when intercepting between two radials to determine which side of the radial you are on.

Same-side safe of the VOR

Service Volumes​

VOR Service Volumes

For IFR flight VOR must be checked every 30 days.