VOR characteristics
VOR (VHF):
- Not bothered by night or weather: static free (TP 1102:5944).
- Line-of-sight signal (TP 1102:5797).
Range by altitude:
| Range type | Altitude | Range | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| VOR range | 1 500 ft AGL | About 50 NM, subject to shadow effect (terrain can still block) | TC AIM COM 4.5(b) |
| VOR range | Above 30 000 ft | 150 NM or more | TC AIM COM 4.5(b) |
| Line-of-sight range | 1 000 ft AGL | 39 miles | TP 1102:5797 |
| Line-of-sight range | 2 000 ft AGL | 54 miles | TP 1102:5797 |
| Line-of-sight range | 3 000 ft AGL | 66 miles | TP 1102:5797 |
| Line-of-sight range | 4 000 ft AGL | 77 miles | TP 1102:5797 |
Radial:
- Magnetic bearing from a VOR, TACAN, or VORTAC.
- Exception: facilities in Northern Domestic Airspace may be oriented on true or grid north (TC AIM GEN 5.1).
Radial you are on (TP 1102:6132; PHAK ch.16, Variation):
- Take true bearing from VOR to aircraft.
- Apply variation: add west, subtract east.
VOR role and band (TC AIM COM 4.5, COM 4.5(a)):
- Continuous azimuth: 360 usable radials.
- Basis of the VHF airway structure.
- Flown for VOR non-precision approaches.
- Channels spaced 50 kHz apart, 112.0 to 117.95 MHz.
Trap: reading the 50 NM figure as range at every altitude. It applies at 1 500 ft AGL; above 30 000 ft, 150 NM or more.
References
- TC AIM COM 4.5
- TC AIM COM 4.5(a)
- TC AIM COM 4.5(b)
- TC AIM GEN 5.1
- FAA-H-8083-25 PHAK ch.16 (Variation)
- TP 1102:5797
- TP 1102:5944
- TP 1102:6132