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Saturday 22nd November 2008
Brainteasers
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Brainteasers Interactive Quiz #61:
Very High Frequency Omni Range

VOR navigation has been around for a long time, and it's not likely to go away for quite some time. Although LORAN and GPS navigation have both threatened to make VOR navigation obsolete, that's very unlikely to happen in the near future. Knowledge of how the VOR system works (including both ground and airborne equipment) is essential for both VFR and IFR pilots. This quiz will refresh and test your knowledge regarding this important navigational tool.

by Irv Siegel

INSTRUCTIONS: Answer the questions as best you can, then click on the "Score my quiz answers" button to see your score and read the explanations. If you don't like your score the first time around, you can change some of your answers and resubmit. To get the most out of this quiz, we suggest you keep trying until you get a perfect score.

NOTE: When more than one answer is true, only the most complete correct answer will be scored as correct.

1. For IFR operation, within what preceding time period must an aircraft's VOR equipment be checked?
a. 10 days
b. 30 days
c. 60 days
d. 90 days
2. Regarding the VOR equipment check in Question #1, select the true statement.
a. It must be performed by a pilot holding at least a private pilot certificate.
b. It must be performed by a pilot holding at least a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
c. It must be performed by a certified avionics facility.
d. It must be performed at a certified VOR checkpoint.
e. None of the above.
3. What is one difference between a VORTAC and a VOR/DME?
a. A VORTAC signal can be received at a greater distance from the station than a VOR/DME signal.
b. There is no voice capability with a VOR/DME, as there is with a VORTAC.
c. VORTAC stations are within the frequency range of 108.10 to 111.95 MHz, and VOR/DME stations are within the range of 112.00 to 119.95 MHz.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
4. Which of the following statements is (are) correct?
a. VOR signals are subject to line-of-sight restrictions, and the range varies proportionally to the altitude of the receiving equipment.
b. All VORs have both voice and morse code identification available.
c. As compared to NDBs, VORs are more subject to disturbances that may result in erroneous navigation signals.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
5. Which of the following statements is (are) correct?
a. Certain propeller RPM settings can cause the course deviation indicator (CDI) to fluctuate as much as plus or minus six degrees.
b. You can use any VOR station for communicating with the nearest Flight Service Station by transmitting on 122.1 MHz and listening on the VOR frequency.
c. Most VORs are shut down for system maintenance each night between the hours of 0200 to 0400 local time.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
6. If a VOR TO/FROM indicator is displaying "TO" and the CDI is centered, this means that
a. If you continue to fly your present heading, you will be flying to the station.
b. The course that you've selected with the omni bearing selector (OBS) is also the radial that you're on.
c. You have no crosswind. Either the wind is calm or you have a direct headwind or tailwind.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
7. As you approach a VORTAC you notice that the groundspeed readout on your DME receiver begins to decrease. This is because
a. As the distance decreases, you enter the "zone of confusion" which creates an erroneous groundspeed display.
b. VOR locations are chosen based on certain geographical conditions, and these same conditions often create headwinds in the vicinity of the VOR.
c. DMEs measure actual (slant-range) distance to the station, which creates inaccurate groundspeed readouts when the aircraft is close to the station.
d. All of the above.
e. None of the above.
8. When you use VOR navigation at night you should be aware that
a. You can expect better reception and much greater range at night.
b. You can expect poorer reception and much less range at night.
c. VORs are typically shut down for system maintenance for approximately two hours every night.
d. None of the above.
9. In order to determine your time and distance from a VOR station, you fly northbound across the 095 radial and then across the 085 radial. You note that it took 36 seconds to fly between the two radials. If the wind is calm and your groundspeed is 150 knots, this means that your distance and time from the VOR are approximately
a. 6 miles and 2.4 minutes.
b. 7.5 miles and 3 minutes.
c. 9 miles and 3.6 minutes.
d. 12 miles and 4.8 minutes.
e. 15 miles and 6 minutes.
10. What are the standard service volume ranges for T (terminal), L (Low Altitude), and H (High Altitude) VORs for a flight at 5000 ft AGL?
a. 25 miles (T), 40 miles (L), and 40 miles (H).
b. 40 miles (T), 80 miles (L), and 80 miles (H).
c. 40 miles (T), 80 miles (L), and 100 miles (H).
d. 80 miles (T), 100 miles (L), and 130 miles (H).