VOR Question

[Compass]

Do you have to be within a certain distance to intercept a VOR?  I've noticed on occasion that when flyng a VOR to VOR flight, after changing my course heading and Nav frequency, my auto pilot won't follow the proper course to the next VOR.

[idahosurge]

You have to be able to receive the signal, some are 195 mile range, some are 60 mile range, some are DME only.

[Fozzer]

..and, if you are flying at low level, its best not to have a large mountain between you and the VOR/NDB Beacon.... ... ...!

(You can lose the signal!).

Paul...G-BPLF..FS 2004...FS Nav....and a Bendix-King Radio Stack.. 8-)...!

[Compass]

Ok thank you.  Do you have any idea why if I flip the switch fom "NAV" to "GPS" the autopilot will start to track the VOR? 

[vgbaron]

Because then you are using GPS to navigate not the VOR. The GPS system is satellite based so, although it may track to the VOR it is not using the VOR signal to do so.

Vic

[Compass]

Please forgive my ignorance.  Before my flight if I set up a fight plan from Buffalo to Boston (VOR to VOR), the simulator maps a course in my nav log.  When I begin the sim, that course is already pre-programed in my GPS; I'm not using it to navigate.  When I take off from Buffalo, I'm programing each VOR frequency into my NAV radio and selecting my course based on the frequency and heading in the Nav log, as I go from VOR to VOR.  So that means I'm not flying VOR to VOR?

[Fozzer]

Having planned my course in FS Navigator, I make a note of all the VOR and NDB frequencies en route on paper.
Tune my Nav1 radio to each one in turn, and set my course from the Compass reading on the VOR 1 Indicator, and then apply it to the Heading Indicator, and then set the Autopilot, with slight variations of the Heading Indicator Bug to keep on course.

The same with the ADF Indicator when tuned to the NDB Beacon.

It mostly gets me to my destination, safely!... ...!

(I also track myself on the GPS display).

Paul...G-BPLF...FS 2004...FS Nav... 8-)...!

[Brett_Henderson]

Actual VOR-to-VOR navigation can be inneficient..

Plot a direct course and then plot a few checkpoints along that course where two VOR radials intersect.. and adjust your heading as need at each waypoint..

[Fozzer]

Actual VOR-to-VOR navigation can be inneficient..

Plot a direct course and then plot a few checkpoints along that course where two VOR radials intersect.. and adjust your heading as need at each waypoint..

I'm afraid I will have to get around to practising my; "flying by VOR radials", more often!*.... ...!

My way, VOR to VOR, often costs me extra fuel, and takes me on a zig-zag route!... ... ...!

VOR to VOR is easy-peasy.....Radials takes a few more mathematical calculations...(I'm not very good at Maths!).... .... ...!

Paul...twiddling the Bendix-King radio knobs!... 8-)...!

* My precious FS 2000/Pro Pilot, etc, Manuals... :-*...! (We don't get them any more!)... ....!

[Brett_Henderson]

Actual VOR-to-VOR navigation can be inneficient..

Plot a direct course and then plot a few checkpoints along that course where two VOR radials intersect.. and adjust your heading as need at each waypoint..

I'm afraid I will have to get around to practising my; "flying by VOR radials", more often!*.... ...!

My way, VOR to VOR, often costs me extra fuel, and takes me on a zig-zag route!... ... ...!

VOR to VOR is easy-peasy.....Radials takes a few more mathematical calculations...(I'm not very good at Maths!).... .... ...!

Paul...twiddling the Bendix-King radio knobs!... 8-)...!

* My precious FS 2000/Pro Pilot, etc, Manuals... :-*...! (We don't get them any more!)... ....!

LOL

[Fozzer]

Ta Brett!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

(But don't call me a "POOF"!)... ... ... ...!

I'm going to have a go at that tomorrow, around SOCAL in my Baron 58...lots of VOR's and NDB's there... ...!

Paul...Radiating my Magnetism as usual... 8-)...!

P.S...You referred to "2 needles"...I assume you mean to use BOTH NAV 1 and NAV 2 radios tuned to their respective VOR's, and observe BOTH VOR1 and VOR 2 Indicators needles?

[olderndirt]

Ta Brett!... [smiley=thumbsup.gif]...!

(But don't call me a "POOF"!)... ... ... ...!

I'm going to have a go at that tomorrow, around SOCAL in my Baron 58...lots of VOR's and NDB's there... ...!

Paul...Radiating my Magnetism as usual... 8-)...!

P.S...You referred to "2 needles"...I assume you mean to use BOTH NAV 1 and NAV 2 radios tuned to their respective VOR's, and observe BOTH VOR1 and VOR 2 Indicators needles?

Assuming the top of the page is magnetic North, set the one on the left to about
105 FROM and the other to 350 FROM - more or less  .