Online Tool Store
VOR Radial Plotter
VOR Radial Plotter is a training aid that shows why a shallow crossing angle is a poor fix — it is not for navigation. Runs entirely in your browser with no.
🔒 This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Tools
VOR Radial Plotter
Frontend preview — no upload or external service.
Results
Using VOR Radial Plotter to calculate and analyze your data.
How the VOR Radial Plotter works
- Enter each VOR identifier and the radial you are on, remembering that a radial is measured outbound from the station.
- Check the intersection angle. Anything below about 30 degrees produces a poor fix regardless of how carefully it was read.
- Treat this as a training and planning aid only — it is not a navigation instrument and must not be used for flight.
The method
Two radials define a position where they cross, and the certainty of that point depends on the angle between them.
a shallow crossing angle stretches the error ellipse along the radials
At 90 degrees the error area is roughly circular; at 20 degrees a one-degree radial error can displace the fix by miles.
FAQ
Why does the crossing angle matter?
Because it determines how a small angular error translates into position error. Two radials crossing near 90 degrees give a tight fix; a shallow crossing stretches the uncertainty into a long ellipse.
Is a radial the same as a bearing to the station?
No, and confusing them puts you 180 degrees out. A radial is measured outbound from the VOR. The bearing to the station is its reciprocal.
Can this be used for actual navigation?
No. It is a training and planning aid. Actual navigation requires certified equipment and current charts, and nothing in a browser is either.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | Pen and paper | A classroom platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intersection angle quality | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Explains radial direction | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| No sign-up | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Training use only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
VOR Radial Plotter is a training aid that shows why a shallow crossing angle is a poor fix — it is not for navigation.