← All explained questions · Supplemental · VI — Navigation
If your VOR receiver displays a TO/FROM flag swinging back and forth, you are most likely
Choices
experiencing radio failure.
Failed receivers display a NAV flag, not flag swing.
✓ ABEAM the VOR station.correct
that is, you are crossing the imaginary line that defines the boundary between the TO and FROM half-planes. The flag swings as you transition. VOR TO/FROM logic: TO indicator means flying that radial would take you to the station; FROM means it would take you away. Abeam (90° to set radial) is the transition point — flag swings as you cross. Direct overhead = cone of confusion (full needle deflection + flag swing). 100+ nm = signal too weak (NAV flag).
directly over the station (cone of confusion).
Cone of confusion is over the station — full deflection and ambiguity.
more than 100 nm from the station.
Distance shows as a NAV flag (no signal).
Why
that is, you are crossing the imaginary line that defines the boundary between the TO and FROM half-planes. The flag swings as you transition. VOR TO/FROM logic: TO indicator means flying that radial would take you to the station; FROM means it would take you away. Abeam (90° to set radial) is the transition point — flag swings as you cross. Direct overhead = cone of confusion (full needle deflection + flag swing). 100+ nm = signal too weak (NAV flag).
FAA source: PHAK Ch 16; PHAK Chapter 16 — Navigationbrowse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.