Where Am I?
One of my followers asked me to give an explanation of VOR navigation, and this reminded me of how abstract a concept VOR navigation can be. Hopefully I can simplify it some and explain what to do if all else fails.
VOR navigation requires two pieces to work, a transmitter on the ground and a receiver in your aircraft. Many aircraft have two of these receivers, which can be very helpful in finding out where you are. Every VOR transmits *(read edit below)360 specific directional signals that correlate directly with the degrees of the compass rose.
To navigate by VOR you should first turn in your VOR receiver to the appropriate frequency of your selected VOR, and identify it by listening and comparing the morse code to what is printed on the aeronautical chart. This is important to verify that you are tuned into the correct VOR and that it is operational.
Once you have tuned in and identified your VOR you can start navigating with it. Remember those radials? Think of each of them as a freeway or course that we can dial into with the OBS (Omni Bearing Selector on the VOR). When you tune in your VOR you can twist the OBS until your CDI (Course Deviation Indicator) centers with a flag pointing towards the station. There is a TO/FROM flag on your VOR that will indicate whether you have tuned in a radial heading towards or away from the VOR station; this is easier understood visually so I have included a video. You can also select a radial that you want to track by twisting your OBS to that radial, remember to have your to/from flag point towards the station. Once your desired radial is dialed in your CDI will show where that radial is in relation to your aircraft. Navigate to intercept the radial and center the CDI. Your heading and OBS setting should be similar when tracking the radial (your heading may be different due to necessary wind correction to maintain your course).
Chasing the needle. If you are on a similar heading to your selected course then all you have to do is center the needle, and keep it there. It sounds easier than it is, and any pilot could tell you this. Many pilots get impatient chasing the needle and over correct, but if you keep your flying smooth and simple you will have an easier time. When the needle moves away, turn towards it slowly until it stops moving away, note this heading because that is your approximate wind correction. Turn more to intercept the needle, when it begins to center, go back to your wind correction heading and keep the needle centered by making minor adjustments when you see it moving.
With dual VORs and an aviation sectional you can perform a gee-wizardry trick and find out almost exactly where you are. Tune your VORs in to two seperate stations, and twist the OBS on each VOR to center the needles. On your sectional map you can then draw a line from each VOR corresponding with the radial, where these lines cross is where you are. Pretty amazing, satellites aren't needed. But what happened before that, or when the electrical equipment decides to take a nap?
If all else fails, and trust me it does, then use pilotage. Pilotage is the oldest navigation skill in the book and it works. Carry your sectional chart with you, and know how to read it. Being familiar with your surroundings is important for pilots for many reasons. The electronic aids are wonderful, but when the electronics are lost all you are left with is the compass and what's outside.
VOR navigation is actually quite simple after a bit of practice, but learning about is is very abstract. Don't get discouraged if the nuances of VOR navigation confuses you, it will come together with practice.
For those of you who are better visual learners watch this video. Hopefully you can stand the voice of nerdy flight instructor who is a bit full of himself.
(This is not my video, nor am I in the video or have any affiliation with the video or its creators)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eno0p1n2H84
*As JHeath mentioned in a comment, the VOR only transmits 2, not 360 signals, but that is beyond the scope of this explanation. For the simplicity of understanding it is often explained as 360 signals.
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