Definition
A specific VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) navigation station located at Ephrata, Washington, used as a fix or waypoint on instrument procedures including Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs) in the northwestern United States. It transmits radio signals that allow properly equipped aircraft to determine their bearing to or from the station.
Plain English
A ground-based radio navigation beacon at Ephrata, Washington, that pilots tune in to fix their position or fly a published route. It shows up by name on charts and arrival procedures.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument procedure charts, including STARs, where it may mark a point the aircraft is expected to cross or use for navigation.
Derivation
Named after the town of Ephrata, Washington, where the station is sited. VOR stands for VHF Omnidirectional Range -- a radio aid that broadcasts bearing information in every direction (omnidirectional) on VHF frequencies.
Why Pilots Care
It supplies an exact geographic reference pilots must overfly or turn at while complying with altitudes and routing on an arrival.
Intuition Check
Do not read Ephrata VOR as just the city of Ephrata. In this context, it means the specific radio navigation facility named for that location.
Example Sentence 1
The arrival procedure begins at Ephrata VOR, so we tuned its frequency and confirmed the station identifier before crossing the fix.
Example Sentence 2
After passing the Ephrata VOR, the pilot turns to intercept the next segment of the arrival.