Terminology » Other Wireless » Avionics Terminology: Key Terms in Aeronautical Communication

Avionics Terminology: Key Terms in Aeronautical Communication

avionics aeronautical communication radio navigation equipment

This page describes terms related to Aeronautical communication. It also provides links to other relevant terminologies.

Avionics Terms

Avionics TermBasic description
Radio compass (Automatic Direction Finder - ADF)Device determines the direction to a radio source which indicates bearing of selected radio station.
GoniometerComponent in ADF which processes signals received from loop antenans to determine direction of radio waves.
TransmissometerUsed to measure atmospheric visibility which helps to determine runway visual range.
DECCABritish radio navigation system
RMI IndicatorRadio Magnetic Indicator, An aircraft instrument that combines a magnetic compass with pointers indicating bearings to selected navigation aids, such as VOR or ADF stations.
HSI IndicatorHorizontal Situation Indicator, flight instrument that integrates heading, course, and navigation information
DME EquipmentDistance Measuring Equipment, system that calculates the slant range distance between an aircraft and a ground station by measuring the time delay of radio signals.
TACAN EquipmentTactical Air Navigation , military navigation system that provides both bearing and distance information to a ground or ship based station
ADFAutomatic Direction Finder, system that automatically indicates the direction to a non directional radio beacon which assists pilots in determining their bearing relative to the beacon.
VORVery High Frequency Omnidirectional Range
OMEGAnow de-commissioned global navigation system that used very low frequency (VLF) radio signals
FDRFlight Data Recorder, logs flight parameters for analysis
ILSInstrument Landing System; aids precision landing approaches.
TCASTraffic Collision Avoidance System; monitors nearby aircraft to prevent collisions.