What is the most common practice when using VOR to navigate-
Do pilots usually fly directly to a VOR then away from in in the heading of their destination?
Or do they use two VORs to triangulate their position, and use rulers on charts in the cockpit?
Is there another way to use them that I am missing?
If using VORs, I normally go direct inbound and outbound, until I can receive the next VOR and then direct to it. Only exception is if I want to see a POI. I’ll go outbound direct to that point, then direct from there to the next VOR. Basically you just make your own intersection. But there are ways to make offset points and fly more direct routes. With the advent of GPS, VORs are becoming less meaningful in some areas.
Other things for VORs and NDBs.
Time to NDBminutes = Time in seconds / Degrees in relative bearing change
Time to VORminutes = Time in seconds / Number of radials Crossed
Distance to NDB(VOR)(nm) = Ground Speed x Time to NDB (VOR)mins / 60
If you check a VFR map (like skyvector.com) you’ll note that there are “airways” between VOR stations, in light blue and designated with a “V” and then some numeric designation.
To the best of my understanding those airways come with certain guarantees for obstacle clearance and signal reception so you can fly VOR-to-VOR even in poor visibility without having to worry about running into things or losing signal. So in that case you’d fly directly from one and then to the other following those “sky highways.”
That is super useful, thanks
I just got done flying a few 152 VOR night flights and I was wondering how they could fly in pitch black without hitting something.
It’s mainly elevation changes with no roads or towns around that are the scariest. The skyvector maps are bad at showing elevation.