Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Most pilots have heard of the 1-in-60 rule, but very few have ever seen it demonstrated in the cockpit.
In this video, we fly real VORs and show exactly what the 1-in-60 rule looks like in practice — using timing, radials, and ground speed to visualize distance from the station. You’ll see how the spacing between radials changes with distance, how fast the CDI needle moves as you get closer, and how you can use that motion to build better situational awareness.
We start 60 miles from the VOR and prove the math works. Then we intentionally get “lost” and use nothing but VOR indications, timing, and ground speed to estimate both radial and distance — no GPS required.
This isn’t a checkride trick, and it’s not something you’ll use every day in real IFR flying. But it will deepen your understanding of how VORs actually work — and why needle movement matters.
✈️ Topics covered:
The 1-in-60 rule explained visually
Why CDI movement speed changes with distance
Timing radials using ground speed
Flying perpendicular to a VOR radial
Practical VOR situational awareness
If you want instrument training you can actually use, check out FlightInsight Ground School:
flight-insight.com/ifr
Most pilots have heard of the 1-in-60 rule, but very few have ever seen it demonstrated in the cockpit.
In this video, we fly real VORs and show exactly what the 1-in-60 rule looks like in practice — using timing, radials, and ground speed to visualize distance from the station. You’ll see how the spacing between radials changes with distance, how fast the CDI needle moves as you get closer, and how you can use that motion to build better situational awareness.
We start 60 miles from the VOR and prove the math works. Then we intentionally get “lost” and use nothing but VOR indications, timing, and ground speed to estimate both radial and distance — no GPS required.
This isn’t a checkride trick, and it’s not something you’ll use every day in real IFR flying. But it will deepen your understanding of how VORs actually work — and why needle movement matters.
✈️ Topics covered:
The 1-in-60 rule explained visually
Why CDI movement speed changes with distance
Timing radials using ground speed
Flying perpendicular to a VOR radial
Practical VOR situational awareness
If you want instrument training you can actually use, check out FlightInsight Ground School:
flight-insight.com/ifr
