5.29 How do I use the VOR and the DME indicators in FS98?
From FlightSim
First, you have to be tuned into a VOR. This will normally be indicated by a DME reading. Which brings up the next question. What airplane are you using? They are all a little different, however they all use the same principles. The Cessnas and small planes using the Cessna panel have a VOR indicator gauge, some of them have two. This gauge becomes active when the VOR is tuned in and in range. The vertical, hinged needle is the VOR indicator. You can either fly toward it, if the compass info is what you want, or you can adjust it to be vertical by using the OBS knob and then flying to the compass bearing indicated or with the autopilot turned on activate NAV hold and the airplane will automatically change heading to keep the needle vertical. The horizontal needle is used for glide slope during ILS landings. If it is up from center it means that you are below the glide slope. This is a good thing if you are flying level because it means you are going to run into the glide slope beacon soon. If it is down from center you are above the glide slope and if you keep flying level you will never intercept the beam. Lose altitude at a greater rate than the glide slope angle to get below, or on, it. Neither of the ILS needles will work unless you are in a rather narrow angular zone from the runway heading. The HSI on the Lear and Boeing panels look different, but are essentially the same thing. When a VOR is tuned in and being received, a NAV1 message appears to the left of the instrument. It will also show the distance DME info and the speed of closure. On these panels the course is adjusted in the dials below the autopilot switches. There is a "broken" arrow in the gauge and adjusting the course will cause it to "join" at the center. At that point the course it pointing to the VOR. You can then fly to that course or connect the autopilot NAV hold to automatically fly there.
Be sure to download and install the FS98 Converter (even if you don't intend to convert any airplanes, because it contains patches and fixes for the main program also. There is a patch download out there too that you will need. These should increase the reception range of most VORs to make them more useable. I have downloaded NAV 1.8, which is a very handy program for seeing the navigational stations and airports in relation to your airplane. I highly recommend it.
Bob Fiedler
