How to Identify VOR With DME

When flying a small piston-powered aircraft, it is necessary to understand the information that the indicators on the installed navigation equipment convey. While many modern small aircraft utilize GPS navigation, many aircraft produced before 2000 rely on the older VHF omnidirectional range -- or "VOR" for short -- navigation equipment. A VOR indicator provides a directional bearing to the VOR station. However, the VOR indicator must be tuned to the proper VOR frequency; otherwise, you may end up flying toward a different airport than you intend to.



One way that you verify that you are flying along the correct pathway is by using a VOR indicator that is DME (distance-measuring equipment) enabled. This type of VOR indicator displays the distance to or from the VOR station. It also helps you identify the VOR station if you are in an area where you know the approximate distance from the VOR station.

Things You'll Need

• Small aircraft
• Aircraft sectional chart
• Installed DME-capable VOR indicator

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Find the frequency of the VOR station that you wish to navigate to in the aircraft sectional chart.

   • 2

     Tune the VOR indicator frequency dial to the frequency of the VOR station.

   • 3

     Check the DME window on your VOR indicator. The DME window indicates the distance to the VOR you have tuned in.