Definition
A ground-based radio navigation aid that transmits signals in the VHF band (108.0–117.95 MHz), allowing a suitably equipped aircraft to determine its bearing to or from the station along any of 360 selectable courses, called radials, measured in degrees from magnetic north.
Plain English
A radio station on the ground that lets a pilot work out which direction they are from it, or which direction to fly to reach it, by tuning in and reading the bearing on a cockpit instrument.
Context Anchor
Seen on aviation charts, in flight planning, and during instrument navigation when choosing or following routes based on ground radio stations.
Derivation
‘Omnidirectional’ comes from Latin omnis, meaning ‘all,’ combined with ‘directional.’ The station broadcasts useful course information in all directions at once, not just along a single beam, which is what made it a major step forward from earlier radio navigation aids.
Why Pilots Care
Provides reliable directional guidance independent of visual references, forming a core part of instrument navigation and airway tracking.
Analogy
A VOR is like a landmark that also tells your aircraft which direction you are from it. Instead of seeing the landmark out the window, your receiver reads the radio signal.
Intuition Check
Do not read “range” here as only “how far the signal reaches.” In this term, it means a radio navigation system that gives direction information from a ground station.
Example Sentence 1
She tuned the VOR to 113.5, identified the Morse code, and centered the needle to track inbound on the 270 radial.
Example Sentence 2
She identified the 090 radial from the station using the VOR indicator.