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The "why" about VORs

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JMillar

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2007
Messages
233
Location
Antigonish, NS, Canada
Why is it, that VORs are set up the way they are? I'm not (yet) a pilot far less instrument rated, so I don't really understand it all that well (not having seen one working "in the flesh"), but it seems wierd to me.

As I understand it, you set the angle from the station to you that you want to achieve (radial), and then fly on a course that intersects that radial. You know when you reach it from the movement of the needle. Then you follow the course, adjusted for wind. If you need an intersection, you aim to hit one of them so you know which side of the other one you're on, and then follow it to the intersection.

On the other hand, why not set up the dial to actually read out the radial you're CURRENTLY intercepting? With a "bug" to mark what you're aiming for? Would make it a lot easier to know where you are, in my opinion. I suppose you could do the same thing by just setting the dial till the needle centers, but why should you have to?

I know it doesn't really classify as homebuilt-related, but if this makes sense, my airplane will have one of my own design :D.
 
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