7th Bomb Wing · B-1B Lancer · KDYS

VOR Approach Guide

Non-precision VOR/DME approach for the B-1B. Uses a ground-based VOR station for lateral guidance. Step-down altitudes to MDA — no automatic glideslope. Example: VOR/DME RWY 34 at KDYS using ABILENE VORTAC (ABI) 113.70.

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Phase 1 — KDYS nearby navaids
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Navaids serving KDYS approaches
ABILENE VORTAC (ABI)113.70
ABI radial to KDYSR-165 / 3.8 NM
TUSCOLA VOR/DME (TQA)114.85
TQA radial to KDYSR-340 / 11.1 NM
TOMHI NDB (AB)353 kHz
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Published VOR/DME approaches at KDYS
  • VOR/DME RWY 16 — published, uses ABI VORTAC
  • VOR/DME RWY 34 — published, uses ABI VORTAC
  • DME required for both approaches — distance-to-fix step-downs
  • Both approaches recently CHANGED per FAA — verify against current plate
The VOR/DME approach at KDYS is marked CHANGED on current FAA charts. Always reference the current published plate before flying. NOT FOR NAVIGATION.
Phase 2 — FMS setup for VOR approach
1
FMS NAV page — tune VOR
FMS → NAV NAV1 [113.70] → --->VORTAC [ABI] CRS [345] → ← inbound course from plate NAV MODE [NAV] → ← NAV, not GPS
  • Type 113.70 in scratch pad → line-select into NAV1
  • Confirm ident shows VORTAC — ABI
  • Set CRS to the inbound course from the approach plate
  • NAV MODE = NAV so NAV HOLD tracks the VOR radial
  • PFD softkey = NAV1
2
FMS PERF → APPR — set MDA
FMS → PERF → APPR PG FLAPS --> 17° VREF --> □□□ Kt MDA/H --> □□□□ ← from VOR/DME plate LAND QNH --> 29.92
  • Enter MDA from the VOR/DME approach plate
  • MDA is typically higher than an ILS DH — expect reduced ceiling margins
  • Update QNH from ATIS (KDYS ATIS: 269.175)
Phase 3 — Full autopilot sequence for VOR approach
PhaseAPALTHDGNAVATHAPRWhat happens
VectorsONONON—ON—HDG holds ATC vector heading
Intercept radialONONdropsNAVON—NAV HOLD tracks VOR inbound radial
At FAF / step-downONV/S—NAVON—Set V/S — descend toward next step-down fix
At MDAONALT—NAVmanual—ALT HOLD — level off, scan for runway
VisualOFF—————Disengage AP — land or go missed
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Step-down fixes and DME
  • VOR/DME approaches use DME distance to define each step-down fix
  • Read the DME readout from the NAV display — cross-check against the plate
  • Do not descend below a step-down altitude until past that DME fix
  • Final step down is to MDA — engage ALT HOLD at MDA
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VOR station passage
  • If the VOR is on the field (overhead): expect a TO/FROM flag flip as you cross the station
  • Brief station passage in the approach brief — deviation needle will swing
  • NAV HOLD may briefly destabilize at station passage — normal
  • ABI is 3.8 NM from the field — you will pass close but not overhead
Phase 4 — Common student errors
ErrorWhat happensCoaching cue
Wrong CRS setNAV HOLD tracks the wrong radial — aircraft diverges from approach course"What does the plate show for inbound course? Set that in CRS."
PFD softkey on GPSDeviation needle shows GPS track, not VOR radial"PFD softkey needs to be NAV1 for a VOR approach"
NAV MODE = GPSFMS follows GPS route, not the VOR — may diverge from final"Check FMS NAV MODE — should be NAV for VOR"
Descending early at step-downBelow step-down altitude before the DME fix — altitude bust"What's your DME? Don't descend until you're past the fix."
No ALT HOLD at MDAContinues descending below MDA"That's MDA — ALT HOLD now"