Instructions for VOR Trainer v1.2
Introduction
VOR
VOR (VHF omni-directional radio range) beacons are used to mark out many of the world’s airways and provide terminal approach aids. Bearing information from these beacons can be presented to the pilot in many different forms and an understanding of these displays is essential for the correct performance of navigation procedures. VOR beacons are often integrated with DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) providing range information.
VOR Trainer
VOR Trainer is a user friendly, ‘click-and-go’ program that enables a student pilot to quickly gain familiarisation with various forms of VOR display. With real-time 3D visualisation of the aircraft and VOR information, pilots can enhance their understanding of the relationships between the VOR information and the various forms of display.
Instant positioning controls allow pilots to repeatedly perform and perfect the following entry procedures into a holding pattern around a VOR beacon:
By using the wind controls, pilots can observe the effect of wind on heading and timings and practice how to compensate for it.
For quick access to any information on controls and indicators, click on the relevant section of the screen layout below:
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Display Screen
The real-time 3D display screen can be used to view the aircraft, the environment and any selected visual aids, such as the selected course (or track). The display can be turned OFF or set to one of four modes:
Normal Mode
Normal mode is the default real-time 3D mode in which
the camera moves with the aircraft. The exact ground position of the aircraft
is indicated by the ground position indicator, in the form of cross-shaped shadow.
Plan Mode
Plan mode is a real-time 3D mode in which the camera is
positioned to give a plan view of the aircraft.
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Track Mode Menu Mode |
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Display Controls
Power Switch (PWR)
The PWR switch defaults to ON at the beginning of any flight but can be set
to OFF to allow flying by instruments only.
Mode Switches
The switches either side of the mode display are used
to cycle through the three display modes.
Zoom Switches
The switches marked with plus and minus signs are used to zoom
in and out.
Rotate Function (Drag on 3D Display)
Dragging the mouse cursor up or down within any
of the 3D modes allows the display to be rotated. Note that the drag function
does not operate within track mode.
Automatic Positioning
Zero Switch
Pressing the ZERO switch positions the aircraft directly
over the VOR beacon on a heading of 360.
Random Switch
Pressing the central area of the RANDOM switch places
the aircraft in a random position on a random heading at a distance of 6 nm
from the VOR beacon.
If you wish to perform a specific sector 1, 2 or 3 entry procedure, press the RANDOM switch around its outer area. Selection in this manner places the aircraft in a random position within the selected sector. The selected sector may be confirmed by the associated sector indicator.
Repeat SwitchManual Positioning
Manual Positioning Switches
The aircraft can be nudged North, South, East or West
by pressing the switches marked N, S, E or W. The position of the aircraft changes
by 0.1 nm with each press of a switch.
Manual Heading Switches
The aircraft heading can be changed by pressing the switches
marked with a plus or minus sign. The heading of the aircraft changes by 15
degrees with each press of a switch.
Note that the heading switches are only operational when the airspeed is zero.
Airspeed Controls
The airspeed of the aircraft is increased or decreased by pressing or holding down the switches either side of the airspeed indicator. Below 180 kts, the airspeed changes by 30 kts with each press of a switch (or every 0.5 seconds that the switch is held down). Above 180 kts, the airspeed changes by 60 kts. The maximum airspeed that can be selected is 540 kts.
Keyboard control of airspeed is available by operating the up and down arrows in the same manner.
Pressing the STOP switch immediately reduces the airspeed to zero.
Turn Controls
The turn of the aircraft can be increased or decreased, left or right, by pressing or holding down the switches either side of the turn indicator. The turn of the aircraft changes by rate 0.25 with each press of a switch (or every 0.75 seconds that the switch is held down). The maximum rate of turn that can be selected is rate 2.
Keyboard control of turn is available by operating the left and right arrows in the same manner.
Level flight can be selected immediately by either clicking on the aircraft symbol within the turn indicator or hitting the space bar.
Rate 1 left or right turns can be selected immediately by clicking on the relevant rate 1 graduation on the turn indicator.
Note that the aircraft will not turn if the airspeed is zero.
To facilitate timings, a stopwatch is provided. The stopwatch has a START/STOP switch, a RESET switch and a display showing minutes and seconds.
Keyboard control of the stopwatch available by operating the S and R keys.
For users who wish to fly with the HSI set to OFF, an additional DME located alongside the stopwatch can be used to provide slant range information.
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To simulate the effects of wind on heading and timing, wind controls are provided. Wind direction is set by dragging the wind direction indicator to the required wind direction. Wind speed is set by using the switches to the right of the wind indicator. |
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Four visual aids are provided which are selected/deselected by using the visual aids switches:
HSI Course Switch (HSI CRS)
With power to the HSI, pressing HSI CRS provides 2D or 3D visualisation of the course selected on the HSI.
Note that selection of HSI CRS will automatically deselect VOR IND CRS.
VOR Indicator Course Switch (VOR IND CRS)
With power to the VOR indicator, pressing VOR IND CRS provides 2D or 3D visualisation of the course selected on the VOR indicator.
Note that selection of VOR IND CRS will automatically deselect HSI CRS.
Cone of Confusion Switch (CONE)
Pressing CONE provides 3D visualisation of the cone of confusion that exists overhead a VOR beacon. When within this cone, the flight instruments cannot be regarded as accurate. This function is not operational in track mode.
Note that in the real world, the radius of the cone is approximately 4 nm at 30,000 ft.
North Symbol Switch (NORTH)
Pressing NORTH toggles between hiding or showing the symbol that indicates the direction of True North. Note that the symbol is only visible in normal mode.
VOR information can be presented in many forms. VOR Trainer provides the following types of display:
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Combined RBI/RMI The RMI (Radio Magnetic Indicator) displays aircraft heading and magnetic bearing to the VOR beacon. Bearing is indicated by the pointer whilst magnetic heading is indicated by a rotating compass card registering against a fixed lubber mark at the top of the display. When RMI PWR is deselected, the compass card will continue to rotate but the pointer will park at 090/270. VOR Trainer provides the instrument with the ability to also function as an RBI (Relative Bearing Indicator). This function is selected by pressing the RBI switch located at the lower left of the instrument. When selected, the compass card does not rotate and therefore the pointer indicates a relative bearing to the VOR beacon. When RBI PWR is deselected, the pointer will freeze.
On start-up, VOR Trainer defaults to RMI with RBI/RMI PWR selected. |
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HSI The HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator) displays the following information: Range to
VOR Beacon Selected Course (or Track) To set a course using the CRS control, click on the control and drag in a circular motion around the control. For fine adjustment, drag in a large circle. Heading Selected Heading To set a heading index using the HDG control, click on the control and drag in a circular motion around the control. For fine adjustment, drag in a large circle. Deviation from Selected CourseDeviation of up to 10 degrees left or right of the course (indicated by the yellow track index) is indicated by the yellow deviation bar central to the display. The deviation bar registers against a scale of dots that each represent 5 degrees of deviation. To centralise the deviation bar, the aircraft should be flown towards the bar. ‘To’ or ‘From’ IndicationsThe ‘To’ and ‘From’ indicators identify which sector the aircraft is in relative to a line 90 degrees off the selected course. Therefore the ‘To’ indicator will be displayed only when the bearing is less than 90 degrees off the selected course and the ‘From’ indicator will be displayed when the bearing is greater than 90 degrees off the selected course. The ‘To’ indicator is a filled white triangle whilst the ‘From’ indicator is a white triangular outline. Note that the indicators do not confirm that the aircraft is heading towards or away from the VOR beacon as the logic disregards aircraft heading. Power Failure |
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VOR Indicator The VOR Indicator displays the following information: Selected CourseThe course set by the rotary CRS control is indicated by the rotating card registering against the larger of the two fixed yellow triangles. The reciprocal of the selected course is indicated by the smaller of the two yellow triangles. To set a course using the CRS control, click on the control and drag in a circular motion around the control. For fine adjustment, drag in a large circle. Deviation from Selected CourseDeviation of up to 10 degrees left or right of the selected course is indicated by the deviation bar. The deviation bar remains vertical and registers against a scale of dots that each represent 2 degrees of deviation. To centralise the deviation bar, the aircraft should be flown towards the bar. ‘To’ or ‘From’ IndicationsThe ‘To’ and ‘From’ indicators identify which sector the aircraft is in relative to a line 90 degrees off the selected course. Therefore the ‘To’ indicator will be displayed only when the bearing is less than 90 degrees off the selected course and the ‘From’ indicator will be displayed when the bearing is greater than 90 degrees off the selected course. The words ‘To’ or ‘From’ are displayed on the same rotating barrel indicator that displays the red and white power failure flag. Note that the indicators do not confirm that the aircraft is heading towards or away from the VOR beacon as the logic disregards aircraft heading. Power Failure |
Web Site Links
Click on the above link or the sphaera.co.uk button at the end of the start-up sequence to visit the Sphaera Web site.
© 2003 Sphaera Limited. All rights reserved.
