MSFS: VOR Navigation Basics in the Cessna 152 - Microsoft Flight Simulator

Learn the basics of navigating using VORs in Microsoft Flight Simulator (version 1.11.7.0). In this tutorial, I fly a simple 2-VOR route in the Cessna 152. This is meant to serve as a simple intro to using VOR navigation in the simulator, so I'll likely make more videos in the future to cover more advanced aspects of it.
=== Chapters ===
00:00 Introduction
01:02 Locating VORs
01:34 How VOR navigation works
03:27 Planning a VOR-to-VOR flight
06:44 Preparing for the flight (CDI and OBS)
10:25 Takeoff
10:54 Tracking the 126 radial outbound
13:16 TO and FROM flags on the CDI
13:51 Changing to the second VOR
16:49 Flying over the second VOR
17:36 Changing the outbound radial
19:06 Landing
=== Resources ===
skyvector.com/
=== Discord Server ===
If you'd like to chat with me or others in our growing KZbin community here, consider joining the "On the Ground" Discord server here: / discord
=== Disclaimer ===
I am not a flight instructor and this video is not to be used as a resource for real-world flight training. It's only intended as a tutorial for casual use in flight simulators such as Microsoft Flight Simulator.
#msfs #microsoftflightsimulator #flightsimulator

[@KipOnTheGround]

Here's a newer (2022), full-flight video I made using VOR navigation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4OvlGqNnsarrac

[@owenlittle9172]

What do you do if the nav light doesn't come on when you push the swap nav button

[@CessBee123]

​@owenlittle9172 4 months late I know but when you get airborne it should come on. Sometimes the VHF signal is blocked when on the ground.

[@Tabfren]

This tutorial needs more attention on KZbin, excellent delivery, easy to follow and not filled with extraneous information

[@Tabfren]

@@joerihuffmeijer3247 pick up the Waco from the market place, you won't be sorry

[@grizzle273463]

NO SHIT!. I despise those who explain ad nauseum their background, their last family vacation, the color of their dogs eyes only to desperately filter thru all the BS of the lesson.

[@ericfleming5522]

I feel like the youngsters watching this are missing out on just how revolutionary this low-tech navigation tool was. If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, all you knew of the world in Microsoft Flight simulator was doing loops around Meigs Field. Maybe you'd do a short hop from there to Chicago O'Hare if you were feeling adventurous. But learning VOR was like earning your flight simulation black belt: it was the moment you dug the manual back out, found the map of VOR transmitters and frequencies, and realized you could theoretically go anywhere. Now nearly everything in the game comes with a simulated Garmin, and flying a simulated plane between airports is only slightly more complicated than using your phone to navigate your car to an airport's departures terminal in real life.

[@kraudavid5975]

What's crazy is that once you get a grasp of VOR it's just as efficient as GPS. The only problem is getting a good grasp of it because it is extremely confusing. But once you get a hold of it, it's okay. I'm like 70% of the way through of understanding them.

[@ericfleming5522]

@@kraudavid5975 I don't necessarily know about "just as efficient" since you're still tethered to particular transmitting stations which are located at fixed points on land rather than an orbiting network of satellites that can help you chart a direct line between any two points on the globe. But it's still amazingly flexible--I recently spent an entire day in the simulator taking a Cessna 152 from Seattle to San Diego using VOR just to prove to myself that I still remember how to do it.

[@nitemunky76]

Quick tip: hold ALT when you rotate the OBS knob to increment it in a single degree.

[@scottboyan]

It was so good. I’ve been teaching for 15 years (an unrelated subject) and your teaching was excellent.

[@grizzle273463]

Now that is a pro black belt tip. GTK

[@AstrogeoJay]

Thanks I was wondering how you could get it more precise,

[@Pchvsky]

This is a great video :)

[@KipOnTheGround]

Removed their comment.

[@rerun3283]

My whole family is teachers and I was in high school for 7 years so I know a thing or two about education. You're an expert educator. Cheers, pal.

[@jonwilliam3597]

When I learned to fly (When Pontius was a pilate!!) actually in the mid 1960's, our initial instrument training was with an ADF and NDB beacons. This was quite a challenge at first but very pleasurable when mastered. Moving up to VOR especially when combined with DME was a god send, it was so easy providing you could understand TO and FROM and a 360 deg. compass rose. My first privately owned aircraft was a Grumman AA5B and I had it fitted with a King KNS80 which allowed you to move a VOR to almost any location, fantastic at the time. I recall also being able to make my first instrument approach using a VOR DME. However after a 40 year flying career and having used just about every navigation system available both military and civil, my favorite is still the mark I eyeball and a chart. A little difficult when crossing the Atlantic of course, there aren't too many waves on the chart!! But is extremely important to understand the limitations of any system and paramount to keep a mental picture of your current position should any system fail.

[@fly2golf985]

Always nice to see my home airport on KZbin..also someone that pronounces San Luis right ;)

[@Kevlux86]

Heading and course aren’t the same thing and it’s a really important distinction to keep straight, especially for instrument flying. And when the flag says “TO,” that doesn’t mean you’re flying to the VOR. You could be flying away from it. The “TO” flag indicates that in order to fly TO the station, if the needle is centered, fly a course of what you’ve dialed in. This is a really hard concept for students to grasp and we’ve got to be precise as to not mess them up.

[@KGSOsimpilot]

Man, as an IRL student pilot this is awesome! I was looking for a tutorial on VORs so I could simulate them in MSFS2020, and I made a 200nm trip with ease using only VORs! Thanks for the guide, you deserve more views!!

[@ebarrin625]

You teach it way easier than the flight school

[@Rizashi]

Oh man, i've been flying the cessna for so long with vfr maps and had a lot of fun but want to progress. Seen a lot of videos of navigation but they all lose me so quickly as i dont have the back knowledge needed for even their rookie tutorials so just felt stupid watching them. Here you are, explaining in 20 minutes what others couldn't in 20 hours (at least that i could grasp). I FINALLY GOT IT! THANK YOU! If this had been my first lesson for a flight sim, it would have shortened my learning curve so so much. KUDOS

[@es330td]

When I was working on my private pilot's license my instructor said VOR navigation is easy if you remember "Tune, Twist and Turn." "Tune" to the frequency. "Twist" the knob to either "To" or "From" "Turn" the plane to the proper heading to bring the needle to center. Never had a problem again. I love flying VOR to VOR.

[@SeattleMarc]

Every time I see one of Kip's tutorials I think, "I've done this many times already, how can I possibly learn more than I already know?" And yet each time I learn a ton. Like the others, I'm sure I'll be re-watching this a few times. Kip's clarity of thought and language allows him to thoroughly present complicated topics with stark simplicity. Keep 'em coming please!

[@Avionics1958]

Feel sorry for those who are trying to learn VOR and dont find this video. This is by far the best VOR navigation I have come across. 👍👍👌👌

[@jeffdeluca1153]

Awesome! I FINALLY GET IT! I've watched a bunch of tutorials and usually ended up more confused. You nailed it! Thx

[@TheStlgg]

Clearly one of the best VOR tutorials on KZbin. subscribed :)

[@leeyft]

I have currently been watching all of your video to refresh myself for IFR flight! it is really helpful!! thank you!

[@Gemolitics]

Best VOR tutorial. To the point. I like the use of simple aircraft with analog instruments to better explain the meaning of those gauges and radios. Thanks!

[@jonathanpadoa8987]

I have to say. Even thought I know this vid is a little old now, I found it so informative and never knew a thing about aviation at all. Thanks man. Will check out your new video now.

[@fuzzyboi1721]

This has been by far the best explanation I've seen!

[@sunsetsarsaparilla3485]

Best VOR video on KZbin

[@MrPardal]

Man, your videos are awesome. I'm new to MSF2020 and I'm learning a lot watching your video tutorials. Thank you!

[@wkboggs5]

Hey man. I just found your stuff and these two VOR vids gained you a new subscriber. Great content and very well done. You're a very effective instructor.

[@calegonrj]

You're a natural born teacher. Congratulations.

[@corisco7590]

Here's a ramification of the VOR logic: If you want to just fly from your present position toward a VOR station, just tune in the frequency, adjust the OBS until the CDI needle is centered with the "TO" flag displayed, and then fly the heading indicated on top of the CDI. Or, more succinctly, *_center the CDI with TO flag and fly the heading shown on top._*

[@ranjeetchadda5156]

Was about to watch this whole video then I saw your comment and I understood and didn't watch this video . Thanks so much bro 😇

[@ErikNonIdle]

Fantastic video! I knew nothing about VOR before this video, and now I feel like I really grasp the concept. I am going to watch your newer video, too, then mess around with it in MSFS202. Cheers!

[@alejandrogarcia-tq1jr]

The best VOR navigation tutorial, thanks.

[@timothybucher2588]

KZbin randomly fed me this video based on watching so many MSFS'20 tutorials lately. This was so well explained I'm subscribing immediately. I finally know what that dial on the right is, lol. Thanks for this!

[@Adrianlovesmusic]

Well explained. Didnt even feel like 19 minutes

[@mortal_tomkat_]

perfect video! had to learn the radial with the course. every time i fly with vor i forget 😂

[@ashwinkoshti9991]

I have seen so many vids on VOR, totally new to such things, coudnt understand one bit but you explained it very well. Thank you so much.

[@1972challenger]

One of the best flight tutorials I have seen. Thank you.

[@RionPhotography]

This makes so much more sense than just hearing them tell you about it in the in-game training!

[@PlantingMoistly]

I just learned more in 20 minutes than I have in a long time! This lesson is great, thank you!

[@nickbrennan1866]

Late to this party as I'm an xbox user, at 40 I never thought I would understand this stuff. That was crystal clear, thank you.

[@hiortintexasracing]

You do the best intruction of any videos i have seen on the MSFS!

[@willschmidt7191]

Good stuff Kip. Clear, concise, not complicated. Thanks mate, from Will S. Down Under. [Sydney Australia that is]

[@stevecullen5415]

I’m very new to msfs and flying in general. Your video was a huge help to letting me use and enjoy the experience. Thank you!

[@jessejones1102]

Sooo, it was this simple? Why on earth does everyone make it sound so confusing. Thank you so much!

[@nick11927]

This is great. Hope you make more videos in the new year!

[@Apollyon_Rev911]

Nice video. Back when marshalers still had 2 wands...

[@geiadude]

I love this video especially sine I live near KSBA your videos are great

[@LowescC]

Damn, that is a very pretty trip at sundown...( beats Block island to New Bedford in the rain )

[@scottboyan]

Well-done! That was a great explanation!

[@BipolarBLKSheep]

Dude this is an awesome tutorial! Thanks a lot!

[@_Sweet_Pete]

You should be a CFI! Great explanation

[@enriquebriceno]

Excellent my friend,

[@lvachon]

I went through a half dozen videos before I found one that was concise and well laid out enough for me to follow. Thanks!

[@BigHabibi43]

Awesome video man, easy to understand and clear. Thanks!

[@ctawolf8230]

Thanks for that great explanation!

[@yusufhoda4588]

I usually never leave comments but I'm appalled by the production quality of this video. As far as the educational value of this video is concerned I didn't understand VORs till this video and to see it being implemented in a realistic scenario flying from slo to Santa barbara really helped me! Thank You so much and keep doing the great work!

[@alandonn8031]

Excellent! Great description of VOR.

[@TheWoodyou12]

This was excellent - thank you for the tutorial.

[@jakew9887]

Great presentation. Thanks

[@akdavis3450]

Very well explained and demonstrated. Thank you.

[@twistedyogert]

Always wondered what that instrument was for. Never used it when I would play with Microsoft flight. I also would always end up crashing trying to land. *A trained pilot I am not.*

[@Jlord42069]

This was Great! Thank you so much, I learned heaps!

[@r1ckn0rr15]

This tutorial was absolutely fantastic!!! Thanks so much.

[@AstrogeoJay]

Thank you so much for this, I have never bothered with VOR navigation before, simply because I thought it was to complicated, your tutorial explained it so well that I decided to give it a go and now I have had several successful flights using VOR navigation! It was so satisfying when my destination airport on my first attempt came into view, and thinking, this actually works! first one was a relatively short trial flight, the next one I was feeling more confident so I did my first international VOR flight, (although it was still not a great distance between the UK and France) I did that one in stages departing from Southampton and stopping of at Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey and then heading over to Dinard, my return flight I flew directly to Alderney and then back to Southampton.

[@DuckCreekGamingTTV]

Hey man thanks for taking the time to make this video it helped a ton.

[@KenJames9911]

Brilliantly explained...

[@jaspar797]

Amazing explanation! Thank you

[@me81ii]

This was super helpful! Easy to follow. thanks!

[@simracingflying1450]

Really great and easy to follow. Thanks!

[@cshoffie6593]

This is awesome! Thank you!

[@meekoshmoo1626]

I swear, this guy is on another level of helpful and explanatory its crazy! By far the best MSFS tutorials!

[@AmbitiousAviator]

The quality of this video is amazing, you're an excellent content creator. Thank you very much!

[@FightbackMediaGroup]

I was at the point all of this was just too complicated for me. This video explained VOR perfectly! Thank you!

[@user-zc9zt2vl5s]

You make the best MSFS tutorials ever. So straight forward and easy to understand! I really look forward to more tutorials from you, especially the G1000 NXi!

[@zackwest1]

Many thanks for the clear instructions. Following your flight made this learning go smoothly, and right to the target airport. Looking forward to more instructions.

[@yankunflies]

This was clear, concise, and everything I needed to rock some VOR navigation. Thank you so much!

[@tangotango256]

Thanks for the refresher!!!!

[@Brian_Pike]

You are da man sir!! Sooo appreciate your hard work on these. Very, very beneficial! Will be promoting your channel every chance I get! 👍

[@TaroIkai]

Excellent tutorial. Easy to follow from SkyVector to implementation. Thanks!

[@ZionistSoldier]

Excellent video. Thanks man.

[@samsung7678]

Thank you for the tutorial, It was a huge help for me.

[@fuzzmex3]

Your tutorials really pack a punch. Full of clearly communicated useful info, yet lean and concise. Great teaching skills! Thanks.

[@bcsimpilot3497]

Kip, great video, your voice is soothing and full of knowledge. I believe every word that drops from your yapper. If we understand the lesson on the ground, then it will work in the sky. Thanks...SUBSCRIBED!

[@uzur4217]

you make it so easy to understand your tutorials are amazing

[@dillank3240]

Thank you very much for taking the time to make this video.

[@charleszee3394]

Excellent!

[@andrewmgoss]

Excellent video

[@tomshieldsmith9687]

Thank you! Very good, helpful video.

[@mitchapalooza]

This is super helpful, thank you for the in-depth explanation!!

[@Native_love]

Excellent video!!!! Thank you!

[@njbpaul]

This is by far the best demonstration I've seen on KZbin on how to use vor navigation . i get very frustrated trying to understand vor navigation . Thanks a lot for this . keep up the excellent teaching

[@dkinney6229]

excellent!

[@MrKmcgee69]

Great VOR video.

[@A-A_Z]

Best video explaining VOR navigation ever thanks !

[@wm973]

Yep. You dunnit right and proper. I been listening to these Aholes who start out on the topic and then completely veer off on an all together subject. Ya wanna tell people how to replace a green dash led then don't explain how to remove and fix the speedometer. Completely understood from beginning to end. Great job!

[@grizzle273463]

You were a total mom. You fully explained, held my hand and reassured me throughout the entire flight. This was what "I" needed. Thank you so very much. 3 thumbs up. And you now have a new subscriber.

[@derekraines8175]

Hahaha I agree THANKS!

[@richardpoile2118]

A great, 'easy-to-understand' video, many thanks!

[@Gceger84]

Great tutorial! will be using this myself next time I'm in MSFS2020

[@RS-gn4bv]

Subbed in the first 20 seconds. I think this channel is going to become one of my favs very quickly.

[@nageshrao9945]

Excellent video. Have liked it very much and have learnt a lot from it. Thanks once again for the excellent video. Best regards.

[@CessBee123]

This is really good, thank you. VOR has been a game changer for me. Earned a sub.

[@coloneljakesza5780]

Thanks for this. I'm finally starting to understand VOR navigation. Your video was very helpful.

[@taissawoods3359]

This is explained so much more understandably than other places. Thank you for the clear explanation.

[@louiswest2279]

Fantastic Tutorial. Thank you.

[@jonbuggins5575]

Great tutorial, really want to learn the basics of navigation in the cessna before moving onto the automated stuff, this is super helpful 👌