What frequencies do VORs operate on?

VORs transmit on VHF, between 108.00 and 117.95 MHz. Frequencies 108.00–111.95 are shared with the ILS localizer; only the odd-tenth 100 kHz channels in that band are VOR.

What is the difference between a bearing and a radial?

A radial is a magnetic bearing measured FROM the VOR station. A bearing TO the station is the reciprocal of the radial you are on. The CDI shows deflection relative to the course you have selected, not the radial you are actually on.

How far can a VOR be received?

VOR is line-of-sight VHF. Reception ranges typically extend 40 nm at 1,000 ft AGL and 130 nm or more at 18,000 ft, subject to terrain and station class (T, L, H).

Is VOR being decommissioned?

The FAA is trimming the VOR network into a Minimum Operational Network (MON) as GPS/RNAV becomes primary, but a resilient VOR backbone will remain to support GPS-outage navigation. Pilots should stay proficient with both.

NAV-01 · Navigation

VOR Navigation Basics

How a ground-based VHF omni-range station tells an aircraft its bearing, and how to use the CDI without lying to yourself.

By Dmitry ShteynWisconsin, USAPublished May 5, 20268 min read

A VOR — VHF Omnidirectional Range — is a ground station that broadcasts 360 distinct signals, one for each degree of the compass. An aircraft receiver compares two components of the signal to determine the aircraft's magnetic bearing from the station.

Fig. 1A VOR station broadcasts one radial per degree. The receiver identifies which radial the aircraft is on.

How the CDI actually works

The Course Deviation Indicator does not tell you which radial you are on. It tells you how far you are from the course you selected, and whether that course is TO or FROM the station. If you rotate the OBS until the needle centers with a FROM indication, the number under the pointer is your radial.

Intercepting a radial

Tune and identify the station by Morse code — never trust an unidentified signal.
Set the OBS to the radial you want to fly, TO or FROM.
Turn to an intercept heading of typically 30–45° into the deflected needle.
As the needle centers, roll out onto the selected course and correct for wind.

VOR is the historical backbone of instrument navigation and the conceptual foundation for how modern RNAV waypoints are named. For the instruments that display the receiver's data, see The Pitot-Static System, or explore the full Navigation hub.

Advisory

Educational content, not flight instruction. Consult a certificated flight instructor and current official publications.

Frequently asked

Questions & answers

Return to Navigation hub →