Definition
A short-range VOR navigation station, typically located on or near an airport, that provides azimuth (bearing) guidance to aircraft within roughly 25 nautical miles and up to about 12,000 feet above the station. It transmits on VHF frequencies and is used primarily for terminal-area navigation, instrument approaches, and departures rather than long-distance enroute navigation.
Plain English
A small VOR ground station near an airport that tells aircraft what direction they are from the station. It is designed for use close to the field, not for long cross-country flights.
Context Anchor
You may see TVOR on navigation charts, airport-area procedures, or approach charts when a nearby VOR facility is used for local navigation.
Derivation
Terminal' refers to the area around an airport where aircraft are arriving or departing. 'VOR' stands for VHF Omnidirectional Range — 'omnidirectional' meaning it sends usable bearing signals in every direction (omni = all). The 'T' on the front simply marks it as the lower-power, shorter-range version intended for terminal-area use.
Why Pilots Care
Provides reliable azimuth information for non-precision approaches and terminal navigation when GPS or radar vectors are unavailable.
Intuition Check
Do not read terminal as the passenger building or as the end of something. In TVOR, terminal means used in the airport area, especially close to an arrival or approach environment.
Example Sentence 1
The instrument approach used the TVOR on the field as the final approach fix.
Example Sentence 2
With the TVOR centered, the aircraft maintained the published track into the airport.