Why so many VORs near KDEN (Denver Int'l)??

[wrxpilot]

I just started flying out here, and haven't figured that out yet. Why are there 3 VORs (DVV, DEN, FQF) in close proximity to KDEN? I also noticed that there are no low altitude airways from DEN VOR for some reason. Thanks to anybody that can educate me on this...

 

[wmuflyguy]

Mountains possibly. Since VOR's are line of sight.

Check the AFD and see if the DEN vor is a Terminal class VOR (it will have a T, L, or H to designate its class). Terminal class VOR are not part of the enroute structure and will not have Victor airways.


edited cause i badly missed the point of the question at first.

 

[wrxpilot]

Mountains possibly. Since VOR's are line of sight.

Check the AFD and see if the DEN vor is a Terminal class VOR (it will have a T, L, or H to designate its class). Terminal class VOR are not part of the enroute structure and will not have Victor airways.


edited cause i badly missed the point of the question at first.

Hey wmu,

The line of sight problem makes sense, I was kind of thinking that could be the case. Though I'm still puzzled by the DEN vor - it is listed as a high altitude VOR. But it is used for the approaches there...

 

[wmuflyguy]

If it is a high then i'm not sure. It could be used for Jet Routes (18000msl and above, you would need a High IFR chart to view those) are the other 2 VOR's low's?​

high's and low's can be used for approaches as well as terminals. Terminals however are for small airports that need an approach or a way to transition from the enroute to the approach phase. I assume thye are cheaper to build than the other 2 classes.​

 

[wmuflyguy]

I just looked, all 3 of them are high's.

So i have absolutely no idea.

 

[F9 Buff]

I don't know either but my guess would be maybe they have something to do with Buckley being in the area, Mountains being so close, or maybe moving the airport from Stapleton to DIA?

I will ask around though, it does seem to be overkill the way they are arranged. You would think APA would have one too?

 

[SkyBoy1981]

So that someone would come to flightinfo.com and ask why.

 

[trolleydriver]

For all the arrivals?

If you look at them, each arrival is based off a different VOR.

That's just my guess tho.

 

[wrxpilot]

I don't know either but my guess would be maybe they have something to do with Buckley being in the area, Mountains being so close, or maybe moving the airport from Stapleton to DIA?

I will ask around though, it does seem to be overkill the way they are arranged. You would think APA would have one too?

F9,

Any of those sound plausible. I'll be interested to hear if you find anything out. Thanks!

 

[Cardinal]

All the Departures emanate from the DEN VOR, on the field, eliminating some unnecessary vectoring to join the route. Often it you get a heading from the tower that matches the course, and join the transition without further maneuvering.

All the Arrivals run to DVV or FQF, and since you'll need to be set up either on a final or a downwind for landing, these VORs, off the field to the north and south, fit the usual North-South runway configuration well. The classic 45 to the downwind arrangement. I think its all quite handy.