Definition
A ground-based radio navigation aid that transmits signals on VHF frequencies (108.0–117.95 MHz), allowing a properly equipped aircraft to determine its bearing to or from the station along any of 360 selectable courses called radials. VORs form the backbone of the federal airway system and are also used to broadcast voice services such as weather advisories.
Plain English
A radio station on the ground that lets a pilot work out which direction they are from it, and fly toward or away from it along a chosen line.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter VORs on aeronautical charts, in cockpit navigation equipment, and in FAA weather-service discussions such as HIWAS service outlets.
Derivation
VHF means Very High Frequency, the radio band the station uses. 'Omnidirectional' comes from Latin omni- ('all') and directio ('direction') — the station sends signals out in every direction. 'Range' here means a navigational reference station, not a distance. So the name describes a VHF station that gives directional guidance all the way around.
Why Pilots Care
VORs let a pilot navigate point-to-point without GPS, identify position along an airway, and fly published instrument procedures. Many VORs also broadcast HIWAS, so pilots tune them to receive hazardous weather information in flight.
Intuition Check
Range' here does not mean how far away something is. A VOR is a station that provides directional guidance — the 'range' is the station itself.
Example Sentence 1
She tuned the VOR frequency, identified the Morse code, and tracked the 270 radial outbound.
Example Sentence 2
HIWAS advisories are transmitted continuously over selected VOR frequencies.