Navaids and frequencies

Every navaid on a chart is described by the same compact block: name, frequency, identifier and channel. Learning to decode this single line covers most of the plan view . For the symbols around each navaid, see Symbols and abbreviations .

Anatomy of an ILS nav box

" ILS IFM 111.35 · crs 247°" reads as: this approach is guided by an ILS with identifier IFM on frequency 111.35 MHz, aligned to a final approach course of 247°. The identifier (two or three letters) is also transmitted as morse code so you can verify you tuned the right station.

ILS navaid box on a real plate — The ILS box on the Frankfurt 07C plate: 'ILS/DME 110.55 IFCE CH 42 Y' — frequency, identifier, paired DME channel, and the morse ident underneath.

VOR box on a real plate — Same plate, different navaid: the FRANKENSTEIN VOR/DME with its compass rose — '117.50 FKS CH 122 X'. The missed approach holds here.

Frequency types you will see

VOR — 108.00–117.95 MHz, e.g. "RID 113.10".
ILS localizer — 108.10–111.95 MHz (odd decimals), paired with the glide slope .
NDB — 190–535 kHz, e.g. "FHD 356".
DME — paired UHF channel, often written as "DME 5.4" distances rather than a frequency.

Tuning in MSFS

In most airliners you rarely tune nav radios manually: the FMC auto-tunes the ILS when the approach is loaded. In GA aircraft you tune NAV1 to the localizer frequency and the course selector (OBS) to the published course — exactly like the real thing.

Watch out

The published course is what the PROCEDURE expects, not necessarily what the needle shows. Always cross-check the course on the chart against your course selector before you are established.

Related terms ILS Localizer (LOC)VOR NDB DME Ident

Sources