Definition
An in-flight procedure used to verify the accuracy of a VOR receiver by comparing the indicated bearing against a known, charted reference point while airborne. Permitted methods include flying over a designated VOR airborne checkpoint, flying over a prominent ground feature on a published radial at a specified altitude and distance, or, where no checkpoint is available, performing a dual VOR cross-check between two independent VOR receivers tuned to the same station. The maximum allowable bearing error is plus or minus 6 degrees for a designated airborne checkpoint, and 4 degrees between two receivers in a dual VOR check.
Plain English
A test the pilot does in the air to make sure the VOR navigation receiver is showing the correct bearing. The pilot flies over a known point or compares two receivers, then checks that the readings are within an allowed margin of error.
Context Anchor
You encounter this when checking whether a VOR receiver is legal and reliable for instrument flight under IFR rules.
Derivation
“Airborne” means in the air. “VOR” means VHF omnidirectional range, a radio navigation system. “Check” here means an accuracy test, not just a quick look.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the VOR is within legal accuracy limits before relying on it for IFR navigation or approaches.
Analogy
It is like checking a compass against a known direction before trusting it. The checkpoint gives you the known reference, and the VOR receiver must agree closely enough.
Intuition Check
Do not assume an Airborne VOR Check means simply seeing that the VOR display moves in flight. It is a specific accuracy check against a published in-flight reference point.
Example Sentence 1
Before departing on the IFR cross-country, the pilot performed an airborne VOR check over the designated checkpoint and logged the result.
Example Sentence 2
Before starting the IFR leg, the crew completed an airborne VOR check to satisfy equipment accuracy requirements.