What is the general range of a VOR station?

• A. 20 NM
• B. 40 NM
• C. 60 NM
• D. 100 NM

Answer: (B)

VOR range is determined by the station’s signal power and line-of-sight. For a typical VOR used in everyday IFR navigation, the reliable coverage is about 40 nautical miles from the station. This 40 NM figure is the common, general range pilots memorize and use for planning and navigation.

As you climb, the signal can be received farther away, and some VORs are designed to cover much larger areas at higher altitudes, but the standard, everyday range most courses emphasize is 40 NM. The other numbers relate to specific cases (short-range terminal coverage or higher-altitude service volumes) and aren’t the typical general range.