NDB Related Topics 
Flying Magazine
JULY 29, 2025
Months ago I promised a friend who lives in Texas that I would teach him how to fly a non-directional beacon (NDB) approach. There are those who argue that the NDB is antiquated technology—and it is. According to the FAA, there are less than 150 NDB approaches still in use in the United States, so yes, they are rare.
Pilot Institute
JUNE 9, 2025
Usually, it will be a ground-based navigational aid such as a VOR or NDB. For VOR and NDB holding procedures, you’ll have to constantly monitor the audible ident to ensure that the beacon is radiating and providing you with reliable information before entering the hold. This fix can be defined in several ways. Is that it?
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Air
JUNE 17, 2025
VOR , NDB). Holding patterns: Depicts the specific circuits where an aircraft must orbit if instructed to hold by air traffic control. Navigation systems: Shows the location and frequency of ground-based radio aids, if any (e.g.,
Vintage Aviation News
MAY 12, 2025
Equipped with VOR and NDB navigation aids, Smith still faced significant challenges throughout her 27,750-mile journey. However, seasonal weather and wind conditions proved unfavorable, requiring her to adjust her course as the flight progressed.
Pilot Institute
FEBRUARY 22, 2025
Non-precision approaches (such as a localizer, VOR, LNAV, or NDB) use a Maltese cross for the FAF. Precision approaches (such as ILS) use a jagged arrow to mark the FAF. This is the point where you should intercept the ILS glideslope. At this point you should start descending to the Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA).
Flying Magazine
JULY 1, 2025
If there is an NDB (Non-Directional Beacon) along the route and an Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) in the airplane, learn to use that too. For comparison, there are 149 NDB/ADF approaches in the U.S. You will be navigating by using ATC-assigned radar vectors, GPS, and VORs.
AV Web
FEBRUARY 2, 2025
Years ago, a friend who was then a training captain at a major airline, showed me a video of a pilot totally cratering an NDB approach. SecDef Hegseths avowed opposition to women in combat may mean this wont get a fair hearing, but just more political posturing. It was laughably incompetent for someone with an ATP. The pilot was a woman.
Expert insights. Personalized for you.
Let's personalize your content