In VOR navigation, the radial or line from the VOR station is defined as the direction measured clockwise from which reference?

• A. Geographic north
• B. True north
• C. Magnetic north
• D. Local magnetic variation

Answer: (C)

Radials from a VOR are defined in magnetic terms. The direction of a radial is measured clockwise from magnetic north, so the bearing you read for a given radial is a magnetic bearing. This alignment with magnetic north matches what pilots use on their compass and VOR receivers, keeping radials consistent with instrument readings.

Geographic north or true north would not fit the way VOR radials are defined, and local magnetic variation is only relevant when you convert between magnetic and true bearings on charts or in planning. For example, if the local variation is 10 degrees west, a 090 magnetic radial points due east relative to magnetic north, which would be 100 degrees true.