What is VOR and how is it used in navigation?

• A. A VHF navigation aid providing azimuth information; pilots use it with a CDI to determine their bearing relative to a VOR station.
• B. An HF communication system.
• C. An automatic flight control system.
• D. A weather radar display.

Answer: (A)

VOR stands for VHF Omnidirectional Range, a ground-based radio navigation aid that provides azimuth information to pilots. The station broadcasts signals that define radials, or bearings, emanating from the VOR. The aircraft’s VOR receiver decodes these signals and, by selecting a course with the OBS, the cockpit instrument (the CDI) shows how far left or right you are from that chosen bearing. When the CDI is centered, you’re on the desired radial relative to the station, and the TO/FROM indication tells you whether you’re flying toward or away from the station. This lets you navigate along airways or intercept and follow a specific bearing to a fix or destination. Often VOR is paired with DME to provide distance, but VOR alone supplies the bearing information, using the VHF band rather than HF, weather radar, or automatic flight control.