VOR and DME - ATP Flight School Flashcards

1
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What does VOR stand for?

A

Very High Frequency (VHF) Omnidirectional Range

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2
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What does DME stand for?

A

Distance Measuring Equipment

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3
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What is TACAN?

A

Tactical air navigation equipment, basically the military equivalent of a VOR/DME.

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4
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

Can civilians use TACAN?

A

Only the distance component, which is functionally identical to DME. (TACAN is often colocated with VORs to create VORTACs.)

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5
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What is a radial?

A

A straight-line course extending outwards from a VOR.

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6
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

Describe the radio signals emitted by a VOR.

A

The VOR transmits signals in all directions (hence “omnidirectional”). The signal in each direction is different, so the VOR receiver can detect which radial it is on.

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7
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

How are radials referenced/named?

A

By the number of degrees clockwise from magnetic north. For example, a course extending due east from a VOR would be the “zero niner zero radial.”

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8
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What radio frequencies do VORs use?

A

108.0 MHz to 117.95 MHz.

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9
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What is the standard useful range for a VOR below 14,500’ MSL?

A

25 NM for terminal VORs, 40 NM for low- or high-altitude VORs

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10
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

Why might a particular VOR have a lower useful range on certain radials or at certain altitudes?

A

VOR signals are line-of-sight. You can’t pick up a VOR signal if there is terrain between the receiver and the ground station.

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11
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What are some ways to test the accuracy of your VOR receiver?

A
  • VOR test facilities (VOTs)
  • Certified airborne checkpoints
  • Certified ground checkpoints
  • Dual VOR cross-check
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12
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

Are VOR checks required for VFR flight?

A

No (they’re only required for IFR), but they’re a good idea.

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13
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

How do you confirm that you are receiving the correct VOR?

A

Listen for the VOR’s 3-letter identifier being broadcast in Morse code. (The dot-dash sequence to listen for is listed on the sectional chart.)

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14
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

List three navigation instruments you might find in the cockpit that can display VOR navigation information.

A
  • Course deviation indicator (CDI)
  • Horizontal situation indicator (HSI)
  • Radio magnetic indicator (RMI)
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15
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What is an OBS?

A

Omnibearing selector - the control knob that the pilot turns to select a desired radial.

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16
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What does the CDI needle indicate?

A

Assuming the aircraft is flown on the course selected on the OBS, is the selected radial to the left or right of the aircraft? The needle represents the course, so if the radial is to the left, the needle deflects to the left.

17
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What is reverse sensing?

A

If you mistakenly enter on a CDI the reciprocal of your intended course, the needle deflection will reverse - e.g. if you are off-course to the left, the needle will deflect left (instead of right).

18
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

Why is a VOR receiver susceptible to reverse sensing?

A

The VOR receiver has no way of knowing the aircraft’s heading, only the bearing from the station.

19
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What does the TO/FROM indicator on a CDI indicate?

A

Assuming the aircraft is flown on the course selected on the OBS, will it get closer TO or further FROM the VOR?

20
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

If the CDI needle is deflected by 1 dot, how far is the aircraft off the selected radial?

A

2 degrees

21
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

At what distance from the VOR does 1 degree off course equal 1 nautical mile off course?

A

60 nautical miles

22
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

How is an HSI different from a CDI?

A

An HSI combines a CDI and a heading indicator. In a CDI, the selected course is always at the top of the dial, regardless of the aircraft’s heading. In an HSI, the dial rotates so that the aircraft’s heading is at the top. The course deviation bar rotates with the dial, rather than staying vertical. This makes it easier to visualize the aircraft’s course relative to the selected VOR radial.

23
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

What information does an RMI display?

A

The aircraft’s heading, and the heading to two selected navaids or waypoints.

24
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

How do you determine which VOR radial you are on?

A
  1. Tune and identify the VOR.
  2. Twist the OBS knob until the needle centers with a FROM indication.
  3. The number under the course index is the radial you are on.
25
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

If you track a radial to a VOR, what indications should you expect as you overfly the VOR station?

A

As you near the station, the needle will become more sensitive (a given distance off course translates to a larger angle off course when closer to the VOR). It may start fluctuating side to side, and eventually the NAV flag will appear when you are directly over the station (where the signal is unreliable). Once past the VOR, the TO/FROM indicator flips to FROM, and the needle will re-center.

26
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

You are on the 180 radial from a VOR and want to fly to the VOR, so you fly a heading of 360. As you do so, the CDI needle gradually deflects to the left. What is happening and what should you do?

A

A crosswind from the left is blowing you off course, and you need to establish a wind correction angle to the left:

  1. Turn about 20° left to re-intercept the radial.
  2. Once the needle is centered again, turn back to the right, but not all the way to 360 - leave a correction angle.
  3. Hold that heading and see what the needle does. If it deflects left again, you need a bigger correction angle, and vice versa.
  4. Repeat this process until you find a heading that keeps the needle centered.
27
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

Describe the process for intercepting and tracking a VOR radial that you aren’t currently on.

A
  1. Tune and identify the VOR.
  2. Turn to parallel the desired course.
  3. Use the CDI to determine which radial you are currently on.
  4. Take the difference between your current radial and desired radial.
  5. Double the difference to determine the interception angle. If this angle is less than 20°, use 20°. If it is more than 90°, use 90°.
  6. Twist the OBS knob to your desired course.
  7. Turn left or right (towards the needle) by your interception angle.
  8. Wait for the needle to approach center, then turn to track the desired radial.
28
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

How does DME measure distance?

A

The receiver in the aircraft sends a radio signal to the unit on the ground, which then sends a signal back to the aircraft. The signal travels at the speed of light, so by measuring the time between sending and receiving the signal, the DME receiver can calculate the distance to the station.

29
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

Explain the concept of “slant range.”

A

DME measures the straight-line distance between the aircraft and the ground station, not the distance over the ground. This distance is affected by the aircraft’s altitude. If you flew directly over a VORTAC at an altitude of 6,076’ AGL, the DME would indicate 1.0 NM.

30
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

How do you enter the frequency for a DME?

A

The UHF radio frequencies used for DME are paired with VHF frequencies used by VORs. Dialing in the VOR frequency automatically enters the paired DME frequency as well.

31
Q

ATPFlightSchool.com

ATP’s aircraft do not have DME. Instead, they use…

A

GPS.