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VOR radials are referenced to which north?

Magnetic north.

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  1. True north
  2. Magnetic north ✔
  3. Grid north

Why: The FAA handbook says VOR radials are referenced to magnetic north. A radial is a magnetic bearing going outward from the station, numbered 001 through 360.

Huh, didn't know that: VORs transmit on VHF between 108.0 and 117.95 MHz, so reception is line of sight and improves with altitude.

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Why does the VOR have so many friends? It reaches out in 360 directions.
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References

Answer: Magnetic north. The FAA handbook says VOR radials are referenced to magnetic north. A radial is a magnetic bearing going outward from the station, numbered 001 through 360.

  1. Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 16 Navigation (FAA-H-8083-25C) www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/18_phak_ch16.pdf
    The course or radials projected from the station are referenced to MN. Therefore, a radial is defined as a line of magnetic bearing extending outward from the VOR station.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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