What is a typical method for ensuring the accuracy of navigation on a VOR?

A typical method for ensuring the accuracy of navigation on a VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) is to regularly check the course sensitivity of the receiver. This involves ensuring that the instrument is properly calibrated and is responding accurately to the transmitted signals from the VOR ground station. By checking the course sensitivity, pilots can verify that the aircraft is tracking the correct radial and determine if any adjustments are necessary for precise navigation. This practice helps maintain situational awareness and ensures that any deviations from the intended flight path can be promptly addressed.

Cross-referencing with visual landmarks, while useful, is not a primary or systematic method specifically geared toward VOR accuracy verification, as it relies on external references that may not always be available. Using GPS as a primary source can provide accurate navigation, but it is a separate system and does not directly affect the VOR's accuracy. Making in-flight adjustments based on ATC instructions is important for navigation, but it primarily addresses air traffic requirements rather than the inherent accuracy of the VOR system itself. Thus, regularly checking the course sensitivity is focused specifically on maintaining and ensuring the VOR receiver’s accuracy.