After centering the CDI during a VOR check, the next step is to note the course set on the VOR indicator.

Navigation isn’t just about twirling knobs and flipping switches. It’s a steady rhythm of checks that keep your path true. When the Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) centers on a VOR, there’s a simple, telling next step that many pilots overlook in the rush of a busy cockpit. It’s not flashy, but it’s essential. And yes, it’s the kind of detail that saves you from wandering off course when you’re miles from a selected VOR.

Let me explain the moment that matters most

In a VOR receiver check, centering the CDI on the designated VOR signal tells you something very specific: you’re on the published course to or from the VOR. But centering is only half the job. The other half—being precise about what you see and what you do next—ensures your navigation system is actually giving you the right information, not just a pretty needle.

So, after you achieve that centered CDI, what should you do? The correct answer is: note the course set on the VOR indicator. This seems almost quaint, but it’s the keystone of verifying equipment integrity. Recording the course confirms that the system’s output matches the expected course setting. In the real world, you’re not just chasing a number on a dial—you’re confirming that the navigation data you rely on will route you correctly through airspace, weather, and traffic.

A quick mental model you can keep handy

Think of the VOR and CDI like a compass with a built-in memory. The VOR station broadcasts a radial, and your CDI shows how you’re oriented relative to that radial. When the CDI centers, you’re aligned with that radial. But you won’t know whether the receiver’s output is correct unless you compare and record the course that’s set on the indicator. It’s a simple check, but it’s one of those small steps that adds up to big reliability.

Here’s the routine in a digestible form

If you’re flying a standard VOR check as part of your workflow, here’s a practical way to proceed—straightforward, not flashy, and easy to remember:

• Select the VOR station and set the course you intend to fly.

• Center the CDI by tuning in the VOR and adjusting the OBS (the course selector) until the CDI needle sits dead center.

• Note the course displayed on the VOR indicator. Write it down or enter it into your flight log.

• Compare the recorded course with the intended route or the published radial you’re using. If they line up, you’re in good shape; if not, you’ve got a signal to investigate (antenna position, potential interference, or equipment drift).

Two tiny but mighty ideas to keep in mind

• Centering is not the finale; it’s a checkpoint. The moment the CDI centers is when you verify that the system is listening correctly. The real game is between what you expect to fly and what your instruments actually show.

• Recording matters. A fresh note, a clean stamp in the log—whatever helps you remember what you checked and what the readout was—creates a reliable trail. In aviation, that trail isn’t just paperwork; it’s a track record you can trust in the air.

Why this matters beyond a single check

You might wonder, “Does this little step really affect anything outside the cockpit?” Absolutely. The VOR is a backbone for en-route navigation and instrument procedures. If the CDI centering point is incorrect but you don’t catch it, you could drift off course sooner or later. When you later cross-check with a GPS route, an alternate VOR, or even a published procedure, that early verification provides a safety net. It’s about ensuring the instrument panel isn’t lying to you and that your navigation picture remains coherent.

A real-world tangent that helps the idea click

Think about driving with a GPS that’s stubbornly off by a few degrees. You’d notice the discrepancy when you cross a road you know should line up with your map. In the cockpit, the VOR/CDI check serves a similar purpose. You’re validating that the navigation picture you rely on—line, track, course—is lining up with the ground truth of the VOR signal. That small alignment clue can save you from misreads when you’re in the soup or trying to hold a precise altitude and heading through tricky airspace.

Common snags and how to sidestep them

• Not recording the course: It’s easy to center the CDI and move on. Resist that impulse. Jot down the course and the time. A quick log entry can save confusion later.

• Forgetting which way you’re tracking: VOR can be “to” or “from” the station. Make a quick note about the sense of the course (inbound vs outbound) to avoid second-guessing.

• A mismatch between expected and observed: If you see a discrepancy, don’t pretend it’s fine. Check antenna placement, signal strength, and possible interference. If the discrepancy persists, log it and seek a deeper glance at the receiver’s age or maintenance status.

Tools and touches that help

• A reliable flight log or checklist app to capture the date, VOR used, course set, and CDI centered status.

• A basic understanding of VOR radials and how they relate to the aircraft’s position.

• A simple mnemonic to keep the steps straight: Center, Note, Compare, Confirm. It’s not fancy, but it’s effective.

• Occasional validation with GPS cross-checks when available, to see how your VOR-derived track lines up with satellite navigation.

A few words on tone and safety

Navigation is as much about habit as it is about technique. The cadence you bring to a VOR check—quiet confidence, careful notes, and a willingness to loop back if something doesn’t line up—speaks to your overall airmanship. You aren’t chasing perfection; you’re pursuing dependable accuracy. And yes, you’ll sometimes find yourself pausing to verify a blip on the indicator, because those moments matter.

Putting it all together: the take-home idea

When the CDI centers during a VOR check, your job isn’t finished. The next, crucial move is to note the course shown on the VOR indicator. That simple act confirms the receiver is doing what it’s supposed to do and that you’re on the right path. It’s a small, steady practice that reinforces safety, clarity, and trust in your instruments.

If you’re building a navigator’s mindset, this becomes a touchstone you can return to in any flight. It’s easy to underestimate how a single line in a notebook, a moment of attention, or a precise wording of a readout can shape your flight path. Yet those moments accumulate. They give you a cleaner cockpit, calmer nerves, and a clearer route through the sky.

Final thought: stay curious, stay precise

The VOR system is a bit old-school in a modern cockpit full of screens, but it remains a backbone of reliable navigation. Center the CDI, then note the course. It’s a ritual, not a ritualistic repetition, but a practical habit that keeps your navigation honest. And that honesty is what helps you fly with confidence, even when the weather or the air traffic load tries to shake things up a bit.

So the next time you set up a VOR check, picture that tiny center dot and the number you’re about to record. It’s a moment that keeps your entire flight plan grounded in reality—and that, more than anything, is what good pilots do.