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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-vor-station-passage

What VOR indication marks station passage for a position report?

The first complete TO/FROM reversal.

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  1. CDI half-scale deflection
  2. Loss of the Morse identifier
  3. First complete TO/FROM reversal ✔

Why: As the airplane crosses the VOR, the bearing relationship reverses. The AIM uses the first complete TO/FROM reversal as the reporting time.

Huh, didn't know that: When holding at a VOR, pilots begin the outbound turn at that same first complete reversal.

The dad joke
The VOR changed from TO to FROM because the airplane had passed the point.
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References

Answer: First complete TO/FROM reversal. As the airplane crosses the VOR, the bearing relationship reverses. The AIM uses the first complete TO/FROM reversal as the reporting time.

  1. Aeronautical Information Manual 5-3-2 www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/chap5_section_3.html
    the time reported should be the time at which the first complete reversal of the “to/from” indicator is accomplished.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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