Definition
A specific VOR radial used as a navigation reference, identified as the 132-degree radial outbound from the Salinas (SLI) VOR. In RNAV and instrument procedure design, this notation is used to define a path along that radial — for example, the leg of a procedure that follows or terminates on the 132° radial from SLI.
Plain English
A line in the sky pointing 132 degrees out from a ground-based navigation station called Salinas. Procedures can tell pilots to fly along this line or to fly until they cross it.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument procedure descriptions, chart notes, and path-leg examples where a route is tied to a specific navigation station and radial.
Derivation
SLI is the three-letter identifier for the Salinas VOR. R stands for radial — a magnetic bearing line extending outward from a VOR station, like a spoke from a wheel hub. The number 132 is the magnetic bearing of that radial in degrees. So 'SLI R-132' reads as 'the 132-degree radial from Salinas VOR.'
Why Pilots Care
Following this leg keeps the aircraft on the protected route and within required obstacle clearance.
Analogy
Think of the navigation station as the center of a wheel. A radial is one spoke extending outward from the center; SLI R-132 is the spoke pointing in the 132-degree direction.
Intuition Check
Do not read R-132 as “turn right 132 degrees” or “fly heading 132.” It means the 132-degree line extending outward from the SLI navigation facility.
Example Sentence 1
The departure procedure instructs pilots to fly heading 120° until intercepting SLI R-132, then track that radial outbound.
Example Sentence 2
The FMS sequenced the next fix once the aircraft reached the end of the SLI R-132 leg.