About VOR radials, STARs, landing rwy

[pcmaster021]

Hi everybody!

I have a few questions:
1. I don't understand why do I need to change the radial when I fly TO and FROM a VOR?
2. Do I know before I take off the exact runway where will I land or I have to check it by ATIS?
3. What's the difference between IFR or VFR flying? I understand that IFR flying is for bad weather conditions. If the weather is good then we always fly VFR?
4. How can I fly for example a STAR or a SID properly when ATC is always suplying me with vectors for the approach? So do I have to disobey ATC and fly the heading that the STAR is showing? (I mean in X-Plane) Or how can I ask for the full approach, for example full VOR approach?

Can anybody help me with these? I would appreciate it! Thanks,

Tibor

[slider360]

LAST EDITED ON Aug-14-01 AT 10:10PM (EDT)[p]Hi! I'll do my best with what I know.

1. I don't understand why do I need to change the radial when I fly TO and FROM a VOR?

Imagine the VOR radial as a bike spoke. For each degree, there is a spoke extending from the center. Now, lets say you are going to VOR 1 heading due East. The VOR is right in front of you, so you will switch your VOR instrument do 90degrees. I'm guessing you know enough about VOR's, so i won't get too detailed. Now, you are going EAST, heading towards the 90degree radial of VOR1. As you fly over the radial, your instument will switch from TO to FROM. TO, means you are heading towards the VOR at 90degrees. FROM, means you are heading away from the VOR at 90degrees. you do not need to switch anything on you instrument at all. If you need any more help, email me at slider360@msn.com and i will be happy to provide a full explination of VOR's.


2. Do I know before I take off the exact runway where will I land or I have to check it by ATIS?

Sorry, don't know. I fly choppers.

3. What's the difference between IFR or VFR flying? I understand that IFR flying is for bad weather conditions. If the weather is good then we always fly VFR?

IFR means Instrument Flight Rules. In the US, regulations that apply to pilots, aircraft, and aircraft opertaions when weather conditions do not meet the criteria for visual flight, when aircraft are operated in Class A airspace- that is, at altitudes at and above 18,000ft-, or when pilots choose to operate in controlled airspace under those rule regardless of the prevailing weather. AKA, IFR is flying useing your instruments only.
VFR means Visual Flight Rules. The "rules of the road" that govern flight when the visibility and ceiling allow pilots to navigate and avoid obstacles and other aircraft by visual reference. AKA, flying by sight.


4. How can I fly for example a STAR or a SID properly when ATC is always suplying me with vectors for the approach? So do I have to disobey ATC and fly the heading that the STAR is showing? (I mean in X-Plane) Or how can I ask for the full approach, for example full VOR approach?

I'm not to familiar with ATC yet, only 15. I have a site you can go to to listen to live ATC. You don't need a fast connection either, i only have 56k. I'll post it in a min.

ok, got it. http://www.freeweb.pdq.net/dino/liveatc.htm

Nick

[asaxon]

2. Do I know before I take off the exact runway where will I land or I have to check it by ATIS?

As far as I know, There are 2 ways to do this, at a controlled airport you would check ATIS. At a un-controlled airport you would look at the check weather and wind gauges. wind sock, wind gauge on the aircraft. Take off and land into the wind.

AS I.S.