Which statement accurately describes VOR/DME navigation?

Which statement accurately describes VOR/DME navigation?

• A. DME provides distance and VOR provides bearing
• B. DME provides bearing and VOR provides distance
• C. DME and VOR are unrelated
• D. DME is required for all VOR approaches

Answer: (A)

VOR/DME navigation combines two functions: the VOR provides the bearing (the radial you’re on or to fly), while the DME provides the distance to the station. This pairing lets you know exactly where you are relative to the VOR/DME station and to fly precise courses or fixes. For example, if you’re established on the 090 radial of a VOR and the DME reads 12 NM, you’re roughly 12 nautical miles east of the station along that radial. That’s why the statement that DME provides distance and VOR provides bearing is the correct description. The other ideas mix up the roles or overstate capabilities: the VOR does not give distance, and the DME does not give bearing; DME and VOR are designed to work together, not as unrelated systems; and DME isn’t required for all VOR approaches—there are VOR-only approaches that don’t rely on DME.

VOR/DME navigation combines two functions: the VOR provides the bearing (the radial you’re on or to fly), while the DME provides the distance to the station. This pairing lets you know exactly where you are relative to the VOR/DME station and to fly precise courses or fixes. For example, if you’re established on the 090 radial of a VOR and the DME reads 12 NM, you’re roughly 12 nautical miles east of the station along that radial. That’s why the statement that DME provides distance and VOR provides bearing is the correct description.

The other ideas mix up the roles or overstate capabilities: the VOR does not give distance, and the DME does not give bearing; DME and VOR are designed to work together, not as unrelated systems; and DME isn’t required for all VOR approaches—there are VOR-only approaches that don’t rely on DME.