Originally Posted by unfazed
Theresalwaysone
I assume that your knowledge and interest finishes at the UK border
But just in case you wanted to know there are indeed VOR test areas at airports overseas
Suggest you check out FAR/AIM pART 91.171 (2) AND HAVE A READ
Then again I am probably talking gibberish now aren't I ?
Knowledge has no boundaries !
Is there any need to make a response as above, with respect you can make the same point without trying to be smart or sarcastic.
Since you made your post I have looked up the AERAD booklet and you are indeed correct there is a VOR check point symbol shown, thank you for bringing that to my attention, however that does not prove that a VOR needs a ground test as described on here before an IFR flight.
I fly and train on an aircraft with a autoland CAT3B capability (no decison height) and I never check the accuracy of the ILS on the ground (nor am I required to) and we undergo specific Cat 2/3 revalidation/recurrent training every 6 months) and do bear in mind that the aircraft not only flys the ILS it steers the roll out as well in 75 metres RVR! I mention this because I would suggest this is a bit more critical than a VOR let down or en route use of a VOR which in fact is a very reliable aid.
I would ask you how many IFR VOR approaches are carried out in this country every day and how many ILS are carried out, I suspect the number of VOR approaches are not significant. So then how many IR pilots check the accuracy of their ILS receivers on the ground before flight in fact I know of no way of making such a check between the stand and airbourne.
To answer your question my interest extends to all the countries I fly in and have flown in-- Europe-Scandinavia-Africa-Canada- Iceland-Greenland and the USA. However I repeat i have never come across a VOR test area before or heard of anybody going to such an area to test a VOR before flight, as mentioned i know of many airfields that have compass bases so does that mean for instance at Heathrow for instance each departure should taxy there first to check compasses each morning? ( I would come in on a day off to see that!)
I have also been involved in many CAA observed base and IR tests on public transport aircraft and never heard an examiner ask for an accuracy test for a radio aid--only that all aids are to be identified before use as was the position when I did my IR. Good airmanship however would dictate that you would look for an obvious sensible reading.and an RMI sensible needle movement if you have a VOR on the RMI.
As you brought this to our attention and its something you obviously do on a regular basis, can you tell us which of these large airports overseas have VOR check points?
SD--- not being an engineer i know nothing of testing the accuracy of VORs every 30 days etc but i am sure you are correct. Your IFR flying would be severely limited in the UK if you wouldnt go IFR before checking the accuracy of a VOR on the ground you may later use in the air. Please also let me know how you confirm the quoted limits while in the air with a basic IFR aircraft.
Unfazed If you read back, the original post was from a pilot who was talking about taking an IR test in this country and being based a Stapleford which I seem to remember is an airfield within the UK FIR boundary.
You are quite correct knowledge has no boundaries but I believe the IR test in the UK does!