Simviation Forums

Hi everybody, you probably get these sorts of questions a lot, but here goes... How do you use VORs, in a 737 700, i dont understand them, and the instructions in the help in FS2004 arnt really helpfull.  I really would like to use this feature, instead of GPS all the time, thanks and keep simming,

Andy

Do you know how to use VORs in, say, a Cessna 172?  The process of using them is much simpler in a 737 than in a 172.  If you don't know how to use them in either, we'd be happy to give you a tutorial.

Also, most modern-day airliners don't navigate using VORs-VORs are only used as checkpoints and ways to confirm their position.  Their system of navigation is through "High Altitude Airways", of which VORs are often waypoints.  GPS is, in fact, the primary form of navigation.  But they don't use direct GPS routing.

In the FS flight planner screen, when you select the departure and destination airports, right below si should say "VFR/IFR".  Select IFR.  Below that, it should say "Direct GPS/HAAWs/LAAWs/VOR to VOR".  Select HAAWs (high altitude airways).  Then hit "find route", and there you go.  Normally, the waypoints will require a bit of editing-it usually has the first waypoint as the VOR of the departure airport.  Also, any waypoint within about 70 nm of your destination should be deleted, since you'll be manuevering on approach by then.

Well, I didn't answer your VOR question, but now you know how to flightplan at least

Thanks Beefhole, thats mainly what i do now anyway, id really like a quick tutorial tho, because its annoying when you dont know how to use all of the instruments, i know its unlikely to happen in flight simulator but what would happen if GPS failed? id b totaly lost, thanks.

Andy

No problem Andy.

For big jets like the 737, the VOR frequency will go in the NAV2 radio.  For example, the frequency for Las Vegas' VOR is 116.90.  So you'd put 116.90 into the active NAV2.  Now, the little needle in the lower left hand side of the cockpit will point directly at LAS (VORs have three-letter identifiers) for as long as it is in range.  If you set the Nav/GPS switch to Nav, when you hit NAV on the AP stack it will automatically track an inbound radial towards the VOR.

That's the bare basics.  As I need to get my own virtual flight off the ground, I'll leave it to somebody else to describe the more complicated procedure of tracking radials-I myself didn't understand it until I started flying for real several months back

If there's one thing the FS lessons can do, it's teach VORs, so I'd recommend them

Tell me if that helped