Definition
A small arrow or flag on a VOR or HSI display that shows whether flying the selected course will take the aircraft toward the tuned VOR station or away from it. It reverses as the aircraft passes over or abeam the station, and shows a flag (often 'OFF' or a barred indication) when the signal is unreliable or the aircraft is near the zone of ambiguity perpendicular to the selected course.
Plain English
A little pointer on the navigation display that tells you whether the course you've dialed in is leading you to the station or away from it.
Context Anchor
Seen on an HSI or similar instrument when using course guidance from a VOR or another navigation source.
Why Pilots Care
It confirms whether the aircraft is inbound or outbound on a radial, preventing reverse sensing and supporting correct navigation decisions during en route and approach phases.
Intuition Check
Do not read TO as “the airplane is currently moving toward the station” or FROM as “the airplane is currently moving away.” The indication is about the selected course’s direction relative to the navigation point.
Example Sentence 1
After tuning the VOR and centering the needle, the TO/FROM indicator showed TO, confirming the selected course would take her to the station.
Example Sentence 2
After passing the station the TO/FROM indicator switched to FROM, showing the aircraft was now outbound on the same radial.