SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-vor-to-from-course

You want to fly to a VOR, but a centered CDI shows FROM. What should you do?

Rotate the course selector 180 degrees.

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  1. Keep the same course setting
  2. Rotate it 180 degrees ✔
  3. Turn the receiver off

Why: A centered CDI can represent either direction along the same line. Rotating the selector 180 degrees changes the reciprocal FROM course to the desired TO course.

Huh, didn't know that: After selecting the TO course, fly a heading and apply wind correction to keep the CDI centered.

The dad joke
The VOR said FROM, so the pilot gave the knob a complete change of perspective.
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References

Answer: Rotate it 180 degrees. A centered CDI can represent either direction along the same line. Rotating the selector 180 degrees changes the reciprocal FROM course to the desired TO course.

  1. Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 16 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/18_phak_ch16.pdf
    If the needle centers with a “FROM” indication, the azimuth should be rotated 180°
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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