FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Navigation and AirspaceHard
A pilot rotates the OBS on a VOR receiver until the CDI centers with a FROM indication at a setting of 270°. What does this indicate about the aircraft's position relative to the VOR?
- AThe aircraft is currently positioned on the 270° radial from the station
- BThe aircraft is currently positioned on the 090° radial from the station
- CThe aircraft is south of the station regardless of OBS setting
- DThe aircraft is inbound to the station on a heading of 270°
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The aircraft is currently positioned on the 270° radial from the station
When the CDI centers with a FROM indication, the OBS setting equals the radial the aircraft is currently on. Since the OBS reads 270° with a FROM flag, the aircraft is located on the 270° radial from the VOR station.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. 090° would be the reciprocal course used to fly TO the station, not the current radial.
- C. Radial position depends directly on the OBS/CDI reading, not a fixed direction.
- D. A FROM indication with 270° means the aircraft is moving away from, not toward, the station on that radial.
VOR Radial Identification (FROM)
When the CDI is centered with a FROM flag, the OBS setting directly indicates the magnetic radial the aircraft currently occupies relative to the VOR station.
- FROM + centered CDI = current radial equals OBS setting
- TO + centered CDI = OBS setting is the course TO the station (reciprocal of radial)
- Radials are always numbered outward from the station
Memory trick: 'FROM means From-Here — the OBS number IS your radial.'