VOR Navigation Simulator

Practice VOR navigation with an interactive top-down map and realistic instrument display. Understand radials, OBS settings, CDI deflection, and TO/FROM indications.

Top-Down Map

10 NM20 NM30 NMNESW090270R-090
VOR Aircraft OBS Course

Controls

0 - 360°
0 - 360°
1 - 30 NM
0 - 360°

VOR Readout

Current Radial

R-090

OBS Set

090°

CDI Deflection

0.0 CTR

TO/FROM Flag

FROM

VOR Instrument (CDI)

N36E1215S2124W3033FR+5-5OBS

Click the +5/-5 buttons to rotate the OBS knob. The CDI needle shows your deviation from the selected course. Each dot represents 2° of deviation.

How VOR Navigation Works

A VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) is a ground-based radio navigation station that broadcasts 360 radials extending outward from the station. Pilots use VOR receivers to determine their position relative to the station and navigate along specific courses.

Key Components

  • Radial: A magnetic bearing FROM the VOR station. If you are due east of the VOR, you are on the 090 radial. Radials always radiate outward from the station.
  • OBS (Omni Bearing Selector): The knob on the VOR instrument that you rotate to select a desired course. The compass card rotates to show the selected course at the top.
  • CDI (Course Deviation Indicator): The vertical needle that shows your lateral displacement from the selected course. Each dot represents 2° of deviation. Full-scale deflection (5 dots) equals 10° off course.
  • TO/FROM Flag: Indicates whether the selected OBS course will take you toward (TO) or away from (FROM) the station. If the difference between your radial and the OBS reciprocal is within 90°, the flag shows TO.

Common Mistakes

  • Reverse sensing: If you fly TOWARD the station with a FROM flag (or vice versa), the CDI needle will deflect in the opposite direction of the correction needed. Always ensure the TO/FROM flag matches your intended direction of travel.
  • Confusing radials with courses: The 090 radial is a bearing FROM the VOR. To fly TO the VOR on the 090 radial, you would set the OBS to 270 (the reciprocal) and expect a TO indication.
  • Ignoring the flag: The CDI is only meaningful when the TO/FROM flag is showing. When the flag shows OFF (red), you are in the “zone of ambiguity” perpendicular to the selected course.
  • Station passage: As you fly over the VOR, the TO/FROM flag will flip. The CDI may swing erratically near the station — this is normal due to the cone of confusion directly above the VOR.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a VOR radial?

A VOR radial is a magnetic bearing extending outward FROM the VOR station. There are 360 radials, one for each degree. If you are north of the VOR, you are on the 360 (or 000) radial. Radials are always defined as the direction FROM the station, regardless of which way you are flying.

How does the CDI needle work?

The CDI (Course Deviation Indicator) shows how far you are from the selected course. Each dot equals 2° of angular deviation. If the needle is deflected 3 dots to the right, the course is 6° to your right. To return to course, turn toward the needle (fly right). Full-scale deflection means you are 10° or more off the selected course.

When does the TO/FROM flag change?

The flag changes when you cross the line perpendicular to the selected OBS course that passes through the VOR. In practice, it flips from TO to FROM as you pass over or abeam the station relative to the selected course. The flag is independent of your aircraft heading — it only depends on your position relative to the VOR and the OBS setting.

What is the zone of ambiguity?

The zone of ambiguity is the area roughly 90° to either side of the selected OBS course where the TO/FROM flag shows OFF or a red striped flag. In this zone, the VOR cannot determine whether you should fly toward or away from the station on the selected course. The CDI reading is unreliable in this region.

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