VOR, VOR/DME APPROACHES

For the training purposes we will be using VOR/DME RWY 2 and VOR RWY 20 at KSGF.  Below are the plates that will used for these approaches.  Please download them and use them during the training process.  The pictures following will be taken in the Cessna 172 that is a default aircraft in FSX.  These shots will include shots of the VOR Gauge, DME Equipment, Airspeed indictor, Turn Coordinator and any other pictures that are relevant to these approaches.

These approaches will be explained in the basics so the pilot learning the procedure does not get confused and overwhelmed.  I have tried to use colors to separate things so they will easier to read.  There is a lot of information on these charts.  Please don't get discouraged as they are pretty easy to learn.

Below is a picture with Highlights for VOR RWY 20.  Please look at this and compare it to your chart from above.

RED LABELS
1.  In the upper left corner the red circle indicates the VOR Frequency.  This needs to be programmed into your NAV Radio.  Once programmed into your NAV Radio the VOR Gauge in your Plane will come alive.

2.  The second group of red circles is the Radials for Approach.  These are the radials you are going to be using for your approach.  Radial 016 going outbound and Radial 196 going inbound.  These are the Radials that you will program in on your VOR Gauge.

3.  Third group of red circles are shown as T-pees with numbers under them.  These are obstacles that are significant to your approach.  If you veer off your approach and are too low you may crash into one of these.  The numbers underneath these obstacles are there heights.

BLUE LABELS
1.  The first blue label is the VOR.  This is the one you will be tracking for your landing.

2.  The second label is the precision turn.  This specific precision turn is made just past the 10nm ring of the VOR.  During this precision turn you will be flying away from the VOR on Radial 016.  When you pass just out the 10nm ring you will do a precision turn to the left during this you use your Turn Coordinator and you heading indicator.  On the turn coordinator you want to turn until the wing of the little airplane is on the line just below horizontal (keep the ball in the center).  You will maintain this pitch until your Heading Indicator indicated you are flying at 331 degrees you will fly this briefly (remain within 15 nm of the VOR.).  You will then do a right hand turn using the turn coordinator.  Turn the plane to the right until you are flying inbound at 151 degrees.  During your outbound on your precision turn you will change your VOR Gauge to the 196 degree radial.  Once you start getting close to the 196 the line on the VOR Gauge will start getting closer to the center.  When the line center bank to the right and keep the line in the center (do not exceed 30degrees bank). 

3.  Distance from VOR.  This is used when you have DME equipment in the aircraft.  The number inside the rectangle with the circle on the end is the distance from the VOR.

4.  The last Blue area is the Airport you will be flying into.

YELLOW LABELS
1.  Distance on the DME from the VOR.

2.  Stay within 15 NM.   During your precision turn you must remain with 15 NM of the VOR.

Other Need to Knows:
Lower Right hand corner it shows Knots and MIN:SEC.  These are used in the VOR approach.  In the Cessna you will fly inbound at 90 knots.  Under 90 knots it shows 4 min 20 sec.  From the time you cross the VOR you start your stopwatch and begin your descent at about 500 ft/min.  From the point of Crossing the VOR to the end of the Runway it will take you 4 min 20 seconds to reach the threshold.  If you do not have the runway in sight out the front window at 1700ft MSL at approximately 1.2 miles you must do a missed approach.

On a VOR/DME approach you do not use times because you use the distance measuring equipment in the plane.  On the 20 approach it shows that at 5.3 miles from the VOR you should be at 1700 ft MSL and looking for the runway.   Once your DME equipment reads 6.5 miles you should be over the end of the runway.



Different States of the VOR Gauge

As you can see in this picture the VOR Gauges Flags are Red and White.  For the VOR Approach you will be watching the Red and White Flag next to the word NAV.  When your VOR gauge looks like this there are 4 possibilities.  1.  You don't have your NAV Radio programmed in your plane.  2.  You are to far away from the VOR for the Receiver in the Plane to receive the signal being transmitted from the VOR.  3.  You are immediately over the VOR.  When in such a close proximity your VOR Gauge will be in the process of switching the arrows on your Gauge (Cone of confusion area).  4.  Your Radio or your gauge is inopperable.


As you can see in this gauge the Red and White Flag by the word NAV has now changed to an arrow pointing towards the top of the gauge.  This arrow is pointing towards the VOR Station, which means you are flying to the Station.  According to this gauge we are now flying toward the station on the 016 degree radial of that VOR.


As you now see in this gauge we have passed over the VOR station and the white arrow is now pointing towards the rear of the plane.  This indicates that we have now flown past the station and are flying away from the VOR on 016 degree radial.  With the needle being slightly to the left of center.  This tells you that you are slight to the right of 016 degree radial.  A gentle bank to the left will bring you back inline with the 016 radial.  Remember that once you are in line with radial you need to bank back to the right and make sure your heading indicator is telling you that you are heading in the general direction of 016 degrees.  If you do not make this correction you will overfly the 016 radial and the CDI Needle will flow off the right of center. 


More to come!!!