Definition
FAA-certified VOR accuracy checkpoints that are flown over in the air, rather than taxied to on the ground. The pilot positions the aircraft directly over a published visual landmark at a specified altitude, then verifies that the VOR receiver indicates the published radial and bearing within allowable tolerance.
Plain English
Specific spots in the sky, marked over a known landmark, where you fly over to test whether your VOR is reading correctly.
Context Anchor
Seen in VOR equipment checks, especially when a pilot needs to verify VOR accuracy before or during instrument flying.
Why Pilots Care
Verifies that navigation equipment meets required accuracy standards before it is relied upon for instrument flight.
Grounding Statement
Picture flying over a known point at a stated altitude, tuning the VOR, and checking whether the needle shows what the published checkpoint says it should show.
Intuition Check
Do not read “airborne checkpoints” as general visual landmarks used for navigation. In this FAA context, they are specific approved in-flight points used to check VOR receiver accuracy.
Example Sentence 1
Before the IFR cross-country, she used an airborne checkpoint published in the Chart Supplement to confirm the VOR was within tolerance.
Example Sentence 2
Before entering the clouds the crew used an airborne checkpoint to verify their navigation instruments were accurate.