How to intercept a VOR Radial using an OBS CDI

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:00]How to intercept a VOR radial using an OBS CDI.

[00:00:05]We'll start with a simple task. [music] Fly a course of 310 inbound to KTN. Step one, select, tune, identify, and display the VOR. Step two, set [music] the course.

[00:00:17]Here the desired course relative to the station is 310, so select 310 with the OBS. You should see a two indication.

[00:00:26]This is important. With the TO indication, you know it is in the correct sense. Step three, pick an intercept heading. This will be between the CRS and the dots in the direction of the CDI. Normally 30 to 60° depending on distance from the VOR. Here we'll go for 355°.

[00:00:45]Five, calculate wind corrected heading [music] to hold the course.

[00:00:49]Here the wind is 270° 18 knots. At 120 knots true airspeed, max drift is 9°.

[00:00:57]270 is 40° from 310, so it's 2/3 max drift, [music] 6° correction into wind. A heading of 304°.

[00:01:07]All that's left is to pick the point to turn onto your wind corrected heading based on closure [music] rate.

[00:01:13]That's how you intercept a VOR radial using an OBS CDI. Like [music] and subscribe or follow for more. Want to try this yourself? Go to radionavigator.app, link in bio, and try out the intercept trainer.