Flying the MON

A preview of what the minimum operational VOR network will look like.

Jason Blair

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 01:06 PM ET

Verified

[Illustration by Clare Nicholas]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has established a Minimum Operational Network (MON) of airports, clearly marked on IFR charts, to ensure pilots have access to at least one instrument approach that doesn't rely on GPS or DME, serving as a critical backup during GPS outages.
To support the MON, the service volumes of remaining VORs have been enhanced (e.g., 70 nm above 5,000 feet AGL), allowing pilots to transition to these non-GPS/DME approaches from greater distances.
Pilots are encouraged to incorporate MON airports into their alternate airport planning and maintain proficiency in traditional navigation techniques like timing and cross-radials, which are essential for these non-GPS/DME approaches.

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Somewhere a little south of the halfway point between St. Louis and Indianapolis is Olney, Illinois. You might be asking, what makes this a relevant point for flying? Honestly, it has nothing to do with the town. Instead, it’s all about the airport’s instrument approach options and how you would know about them as an IFR pilot.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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