Definition
A non-precision instrument approach procedure based on a VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) navigation aid that provides only circling minimums, not straight-in landing minimums. The 'A' suffix indicates the approach does not align closely enough with any runway centerline (typically more than 30 degrees off, or with an excessive descent gradient required) to permit a straight-in landing, so the pilot must circle to land on a suitable runway after reaching the circling minimum descent altitude.
Plain English
An instrument approach that uses a VOR ground station to guide the aircraft down through the clouds, but only gets the pilot close to the airport — not lined up with a runway. Once the pilot can see the airport, they fly a visual circle around it and land on whichever runway suits the wind.
Context Anchor
Seen in the title area of an instrument approach chart, where a runway-numbered approach might say something like “VOR RWY 18,” but this one says “VOR-A.”
Derivation
The letter suffix (A, B, C, …) is assigned in order as circling-only approaches are published at an airport. It does not stand for a runway number, because the approach is not aligned with a specific runway. The 'A' simply means 'the first circling-only VOR approach published here.'
Why Pilots Care
It determines that circling minima apply and changes how the pilot plans the final landing segment.
Intuition Check
Do not read the “A” as a runway name or as meaning “best” or “primary.” In this context, “A” means this is a lettered approach with no published straight-in landing minimums.
Example Sentence 1
Because the wind favored runway 15 and the only published procedure was the VOR-A, the pilot briefed a circling approach to land.
Example Sentence 2
Circling minimums for the VOR-A were higher than a straight-in approach would have allowed.