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I've been having a heck of a time trying to pass the VOR checkride.  At the very beginning where it says, Sit back. Rod is flying.... even though the plane is on AP while Rod is going over the checkride instructions, the plane does not maintain altitude. I have to actually hold the joystick steady so it remains at 5,000 ft.  Minor inconvenience.

The biggest problem I have is trying to find the 340 degree VOR.  Rod says, turn left to a heading of 340. So I do.  Then about 10 seconds later, he says "Turn slightly left to intercept the 340 VOR".  My problem is how much do I turn?  3 degrees? 5 degrees?  What is slightly left??  It's all subjective isn't it?  I've been using a 5 degree turn and holding it for about 8-10 seconds. At which point I turn back to the 340 degree VOR.  But the program thinks that I am too far left and keeps prompting me to turn RIGHT (to 340 VOR).  Can anyone please tell me how to pass this stupid checkride?  I've tried every combination I can think of, I figured there must be a bug in the program.  And yes, before y'all ask, I have applied the latest patch available for FS 2004.

We gotta slow down here, and get on the same page.

Do you understand how VOR navigation works .. what a radial is, and how the VOR gauge works ?

And it's important to be precise in your wording.

The biggest problem I have is trying to find the 340 degree VOR

Do you mean finding the 340 radial ?  Or just finding the VOR itself ?

I've put together some basiic lessons:

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1208113107

Part 5 touches on tracking VOR radials..

Maverick, the key to this is the VOR1 gauge. Basically, you set the frequency to the designated VOR station and the bearing to the desired heading (in this case 340 degrees).

The gauge will tell you whether the desired course is to your left or your right. In this case it is to your left, so you should turn left to close the VOR radial (beam) at a reasonably shallow angle (say 20 degrees in this case, that is, a course of 320 degrees).

From then it's not a matter of 'how long' - fly the course until the instrument begins to 'centre,' then turn smoothly on to the required course. Remember that this may or may not be 340 degrees - the wind can be a factor in what course you actually finish up on. So concentrate not on a specific course but keeping the VOR gauge lined up - 'keep the ball in the middle.'

The first screenshot on here shows the VOR1 gauge in use on a 737. In this case it's set to the Instrument Landing System beam, not a VOR station, but the principle's the same. Later pictures show the process of lining up.

Hope that helps. I forget which aeroplane that checkride is flown in. If it's the Cessna, the relevant gauge is a bit more primitive, crosshairs rather than a 'plan view' gauge; but the principles are the same, you should have no trouble.

Anything that's not clear, don't hesitate to come back on and ask for more info.

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=COF;action=display;num=1111322151

PS, just checked in the actual game and there is no such "VOR Checkride' by Rod Machado. The only 'VOR checkride' is one 'supervised' by that rather sour and critical lady - I wouldn't bother with her if I was you - life's too short...... Please indicate precisely which flight you're trying?

Secondly, forgot to give an answer on your query that said, [i]"I have to actually hold the joystick steady so it remains at 5,000 ft.

VOR radials are like spokes of a wheel.