Radial
A radial is a magnetic bearing FROM a VOR station — one of 360 lines radiating outward from the station. Radials are the fundamental reference for VOR navigation: a VOR receiver identifies which radial the aircraft is on, and the OBS is set to the desired radial for course guidance.
Radial vs. Bearing
- Radial: Always FROM the station; expressed as the magnetic bearing the aircraft would fly if heading directly away from the VOR
- Bearing TO: The reciprocal of the radial; expressed as the magnetic bearing the aircraft would fly if heading directly toward the VOR
Radials and Airways
Low-level VOR airways are defined by specific radials from VOR stations. For example, an airway defined as “the 095° radial of YYZ VOR” means all aircraft on that airway are tracking outbound on the 095° radial (magnetic bearing 095° from the Toronto VOR).
On the TC Written Exam
Know that a radial is FROM the station; to fly toward the station on that radial, you fly the reciprocal course (radial ± 180°) with a TO indication on the CDI.