Prepare for: Navigation Systems and Flight Following

What you'll do

1. Tune the VOR, identify the Morse code, and center the needle to find the radial you're on (and whether it's TO or FROM).
2. Track a radial: turn toward the needle, then hold a heading that keeps it centered, correcting for wind.
3. Use GPS to cross-check your position and groundspeed, but keep pilotage and the chart as the main reference on VFR training flights.
4. Request flight following: give your call sign, aircraft type, position, altitude, destination and request.
5. Squawk the code you're given, and report traffic in sight or 'looking' when ATC calls traffic.
6. Flight following is workload permitting. You're still responsible for seeing and avoiding traffic and staying clear of airspace and clouds.

The standard you'll be held to

Quoted from the current FAA Airman Certification Standards for each level that tests this.

Prepare the night before

• Read the VOR navigation basics lesson.
• Look up the VOR frequencies and the approach or center frequencies along your route.
• Practice the flight following request out loud.

Common mistakes

• Not identifying the VOR before using it.
• Following the GPS without checking the chart.
• Assuming ATC will keep you out of trouble on flight following.

Questions to ask your instructor

• Can we track a VOR radial on this flight?
• When should I ask for flight following on cross-countries?
• How do you want me to use the GPS on training flights?

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