Learn to use the FSX Baron 58 HSI and VOR: tune and identify stations, read CDI and TO/FROM indications, and fix common NAV/GPS errors.
In FSX and FSX: Steam Edition, tune a VOR on NAV1, identify it, select NAV rather than GPS, then set the desired course with the Baron 58 HSI course knob. The course deviation bar shows which side of that course you are on; intercept it, centre it and confirm the TO/FROM indication.
Which radio drives each Baron 58 navigation instrument?
The stock Baron 58 uses NAV1 for its main HSI and NAV2 for the separate VOR 2 indicator. Each receiver must be tuned and operated independently.
| Instrument | Normal source | What it displays |
|---|---|---|
| Main HSI | NAV1, or GPS when GPS is selected | Aircraft heading, selected course, course deviation and TO/FROM information |
| VOR 2 indicator | NAV2 | A second selected course, CDI and TO/FROM indication |
| Heading bug | Set with the HSI heading control | A heading reference used by the autopilot's HDG mode; it does not tune or select a VOR course |
Modified Baron panels can use different source assignments, but the stock arrangement above is the one most FSX pilots encounter. A mistake we see constantly is tuning NAV2 while watching the NAV1-driven HSI.
What do the HSI indications mean?
The HSI combines a heading indicator and VOR course indicator, so aircraft heading and navigation guidance appear on one rotating display.
- Compass card: Your magnetic heading appears beneath the fixed index at the top.
- Course arrow: The course selected with the COURSE or OBS control. It does not automatically point at the station.
- Course deviation indicator: The moving bar shows the side on which the selected course lies. With a sensible intercept and the correct TO/FROM indication, fly towards the bar.
- TO/FROM indication: TO means the selected course leads towards the VOR when the CDI is centred; FROM means it leads away.
- Heading bug: A movable heading marker used as a visual reference or by autopilot HDG mode. It is separate from the course arrow.
- NAV warning flag: Guidance is unreliable because the receiver lacks a usable signal or the avionics are not configured correctly.
A VOR radial is always defined from the station. An inbound course is therefore the reciprocal of the radial beneath the aircraft. Our explanation of heading, selected course, bearing and VOR radial clears up these easily confused terms.
How do I tune and track a VOR in the Baron 58?
Use NAV1 when you want guidance on the main HSI, then complete the tuning, identification and course-selection sequence before attempting an intercept.
- Choose a usable VOR. Find its frequency and plan a route within reasonable reception range. You can build a short VOR-to-VOR practice route with the FSX Flight Planner.
- Tune NAV1. Enter the VOR frequency in the NAV1 standby window and transfer it to the active side. Tuning NAV2 will not move the main HSI.
- Identify the station. Enable NAV1 monitoring on the audio panel and listen for the station's Morse identifier. Do not rely on a moving needle alone; another facility can share a frequency outside the intended area.
- Select NAV as the source. Put the panel's NAV/GPS selector in NAV. If GPS is selected, the HSI follows the loaded GPS route rather than the tuned VOR.
- Set the desired course. Use the HSI course knob or its mouse click spots to rotate the course arrow. For inbound tracking, set the magnetic course you intend to fly towards the station, not the radial number.
- Intercept the course. Turn towards the displaced CDI using a modest intercept angle. As the bar approaches the centre, reduce the intercept and settle on the selected course with enough wind correction to keep it centred.
- Watch the station passage. Near the VOR, the CDI may swing rapidly and the TO/FROM indication will change. Do not chase these movements; hold the planned course until the indications stabilise on the outbound side.
What does an inbound VOR course look like in practice?
Suppose the Baron is east of a VOR and you want to fly westbound to it. Your position is on the station's 090° radial, but your inbound course is 270°. Set 270° on the HSI and confirm a TO indication. Intercept and centre the CDI, then maintain approximately 270° with any necessary wind correction.
After crossing the station, continuing westbound on 270° produces a FROM indication. For additional examples covering identification, CDI movement and radial confusion, see our practical VOR and NDB navigation guidance.
How should I use the separate VOR 2 indicator?
The VOR 2 indicator provides independent guidance from NAV2 and is useful for identifying a crossing radial or monitoring a second station.
Tune and identify NAV2, then set the desired course with the VOR 2 instrument's own OBS control. Unlike the HSI, its course card does not rotate to represent the aircraft's heading, so check the selected course and TO/FROM flag carefully rather than treating the top of the display as your present heading.
Why is the Baron 58 HSI not responding?
An unresponsive or misleading HSI usually results from the wrong receiver, navigation source or course rather than a failed gauge.
- The CDI never moves: Confirm that the frequency is active in NAV1, the avionics master is on and the aircraft is within reception range.
- NAV2 is tuned: Read the separate VOR 2 indicator or move the frequency to NAV1 if you want it displayed on the HSI.
- The HSI follows a flight-plan line: GPS is selected. Change the NAV/GPS selector to NAV for raw VOR guidance.
- The CDI centres with the wrong indication: You have probably selected the reciprocal course. Recheck whether the flight should be TO or FROM the station.
- The heading bug moves but the CDI does not: The heading bug and VOR course arrow are separate controls. Use the COURSE or OBS control.
- The needle becomes erratic over the station: This is normal station-passage behaviour. Maintain course instead of chasing the CDI.
Can the Baron 58 autopilot follow the VOR course?
The FSX Baron 58 autopilot can track NAV1 guidance, but the HSI must have a valid signal, the correct course and NAV selected as its source.
Use HDG mode and the heading bug to establish a reasonable intercept, then select NAV mode as the CDI begins moving towards the centre. NAV mode is not a substitute for tuning or identifying the station, and large intercept angles can produce poor captures. If it follows the wrong source or refuses to capture, use our FSX autopilot GPS and NAV tracking checks.
Does the HSI also work with an ILS?
The Baron 58 HSI displays localiser and glideslope guidance when a valid ILS is tuned on NAV1 and NAV is selected.
Set the published front course on the HSI before intercepting. Localiser guidance is considerably more sensitive than ordinary VOR guidance, and its TO/FROM indication should not be used like a VOR flag. Avoid attempting a back-course approach unless you understand reverse sensing and the installed autopilot's limitations.