VOR intercept and tracking technique

Intercept = turn onto a radial from anywhere. Tracking = hold needle centred once on it.

Set up the intercept (TP 1102):

• Wrong flag: cannot readily intercept that radial from present position.
• Wrong flag for direction: needle sense reverses.

Turn onto it:

• Fly heading until needle starts moving toward centre, then reduce angle.

Intercept angle (PHAK ch.16, Angle of Intercept):

• Larger than degrees off course, never over 90 degrees.
• 90 degrees = shortest route to radial.
• Near station: shallower. 90 degrees overshoots new radial; drift can exceed wide angle before turn finishes.
• Shallower angles also serve wind drift correction.

Radial width vs distance (degrees off from NM off): see one-in-sixty-off-course.

Correct drift once tracking (TP 1102, Correcting for Drift):

• Wind unknown: hold heading equal to course, watch for deflection.
• When it strays, turn back with larger correction; over 20 degrees may be needed in strong wind.

Don't chase the needle:

• Brief flicker is not a course change. Hold heading; see if it recentres.
• Turning straight at needle, not steady heading: overshoots, S-turns across radial.

Station passage (TP 1102, Station Passage):

• Needle swings to full deflection one side, then the other. TO flips to FROM.
• Outbound on exact reciprocal: no OBS change.
• Different outbound course: new OBS setting, fresh intercept.

Trap: turning directly at a deflected needle, instead of flying a steady intercept heading; it overshoots the radial instead of closing on it.

Practice