Air Facts

MAY 5, 2025

Just north of Jefferson City, the Kansas City Center controller cleared us to the Jeff City VOR, which was on the airport, to hold at 4,000 feet. I got out my instrument approach chart and studied the holding pattern and the VOR approach procedure. Then my worst fears became reality.

VOR 52

VOR Weather Approach Runway 52

Air Facts

MAY 7, 2025

The longest runways had front course and back course ILS (Instrument Landing Systems) and an on-field VOR that provided navigation and approach capabilities for aircraft on instrument flights. In the 70s, enroute navigation was usually on VOR Airways (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Radio). The Tower had no radar.

Weight-Shift-Control 52

Weight-Shift-Control VOR Runway Distance Measuring Equipment 52

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

Before RNAV, pilots had to rely on radios (NAVAIDs) and antennas on the ground such as VORs (Very High-Frequency Omnidirectional Range) and NDBs (Non-Directional Beacons). The image at the beginning of this section is an example of an RNAV approach plate for Monterey Regional, California. on the final approach.

Approach 52

Approach Pilot Descent Airplanes 52

Photographic Logbook

JULY 11, 2024

We were assigned a slightly ridiculous alteration to the route I filed: MANCH T316 LAMMS T608 ROC that had us flying past Sodus to the Rochester VOR before setting up for Sodus. But I accepted the clearance knowing that I could change it with a local Approach control like Syracuse. This was even better than I requested.

Ceiling 52

Ceiling Approach Weather Runway 52