Free interactive ground lesson Works offline after saving

See what your VOR is telling you.

Move the airplane, twist the OBS, and watch the map, CDI, and HSI agree. Try guided examples or hide the answers and test yourself. No account or download required.

Navigation map

Drag the airplane or either station. Tap the map to move the airplane. Map positions are schematic.

AircraftVOR AVOR BDashed line = selected course

Instructor notes

Radial = FROM the station. An airplane south of a VOR is on the 180° radial regardless of its heading. OBS selects a course; it never changes which radial the airplane is on.

TO/FROM is about the selected course. Centered with FROM means the selected course goes outward along the radial; centered with TO means it goes inward on the reciprocal course. Near 90° to the selected course, the indication is ambiguous and the flag is shown as OFF.

The CDI is a course pointer, not a steering command. Reverse sensing can happen when you fly the reciprocal heading while tracking a selected course. Match the course and intended direction before correcting.

Teaching simulator only. The display uses idealized geometry, a nominal ±10° full-scale VOR CDI, and no signal errors, cone of confusion, range, or real-world navigation data. Never use it for flight navigation.

Set the scenario

Use the range control or set an exact course below.

Panel

Station A tuned

VOR INDICATOR · CDI

OBS selects the course

HORIZONTAL SITUATION INDICATOR

Compass follows heading
Current radial—
Flag—
Needle—
Other station radial—
Relative bearing—
Selected course—
What this means

Guided examples

Quick-check drills

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Questions randomize aircraft location and OBS. The map and panel show the live problem. Your score stays in this browser until you reset it.