What is the recommended OBS setting to track inbound on the 215 radial of a VOR station?

To track inbound on the 215 radial of a VOR station, the correct OBS (Omni Bearing Selector) setting is 035°. This is because when navigating towards a VOR, the aircraft should be on the reciprocal of the radial to which they are tracking. The reciprocal of 215° is 035°.

When using the VOR, if your OBS is set to 035°, and your CDI (Course Deviation Indicator) needle is centered, you are effectively tracking directly to the station along the 215 radial. If the needle is deflected, you will make corrections toward the CDI needle—this means altering your heading to align with the desired course.

Understanding the relationship between radials, courses, and corrections is vital. Setting the OBS to the reciprocal allows you to correctly track toward the VOR, ensuring you maintain situational awareness with the appropriate adjustments based on the CDI deflection.