FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)Airspace and NavigationHard
An aircraft's VOR receiver indicates the aircraft is on the 090° radial FROM VOR Station A, and simultaneously on the 180° radial FROM VOR Station B. Based on these two radials, where is the aircraft positioned relative to each station?
- AEast of VOR Station A and south of VOR Station B
- BEast of VOR Station A and north of VOR Station B
- CWest of VOR Station A and north of VOR Station B
- DNorth of VOR Station A and east of VOR Station B
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. East of VOR Station A and south of VOR Station B
A radial is defined as a magnetic course FROM the station. The 090° radial from Station A points due east of Station A, so the aircraft lies east of A. The 180° radial from Station B points due south of Station B, so the aircraft lies south of B. The aircraft's actual position is the intersection of these two lines.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. This correctly places east of A but incorrectly places north of B instead of south.
- C. This reverses both radial directions incorrectly.
- D. This swaps the relationship between the two stations.
VOR Radial Triangulation
A pilot's position can be fixed by identifying two VOR radials from different stations; the aircraft is located at the intersection where both radial lines cross.
- A radial is defined as a course FROM the station, matching a compass direction
- 090° radial = due east of the station; 180° radial = due south
- Two radials from different stations intersect to give a position fix
Memory trick: Radial = compass direction pointing away FROM the station.