Avionics Terminology: Key Terms in Aeronautical Communication
By RF Wireless Expert Team
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This page describes terms related to Aeronautical communication. It also provides links to other relevant terminologies.
Avionics Terms
| Avionics Term | Basic description |
|---|---|
| Radio compass (Automatic Direction Finder - ADF) | Device determines the direction to a radio source which indicates bearing of selected radio station. |
| Goniometer | Component in ADF which processes signals received from loop antenans to determine direction of radio waves. |
| Transmissometer | Used to measure atmospheric visibility which helps to determine runway visual range. |
| DECCA | British radio navigation system |
| RMI Indicator | Radio 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 Indicator | Horizontal Situation Indicator, flight instrument that integrates heading, course, and navigation information |
| DME Equipment | Distance 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 Equipment | Tactical Air Navigation , military navigation system that provides both bearing and distance information to a ground or ship based station |
| ADF | Automatic 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. |
| VOR | Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range |
| OMEGA | now de-commissioned global navigation system that used very low frequency (VLF) radio signals |
| FDR | Flight Data Recorder, logs flight parameters for analysis |
| ILS | Instrument Landing System; aids precision landing approaches. |
| TCAS | Traffic Collision Avoidance System; monitors nearby aircraft to prevent collisions. |
Continue Learning Radio Navigation Systems (VOR, DME, TACAN & More)
Deep dives into the radio-based beacons, direction finders, and navigation systems that have guided aircraft for decades.
- ADF (Automatic Direction Finder) Basics
- VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) Basics
- DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) Basics
- TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) System Basics
- VORTAC (VOR + TACAN) Navigation
- DME vs TACAN Air Navigation
- RNAV (Random or Area Navigation)
- LORAN (Long Range Navigation) Basics
- OMEGA Navigation System
- DNS (Doppler Navigation System)
- INS (Inertial Navigation System)
- Dead Reckoning Navigation System Basics
- Dead Reckoning Navigation Method
Precision Landing Systems
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- What is DGPS (Differential Global Positioning System)?
- GNSS vs GPS: Understanding the Difference
- Satellite Navigation: Advantages & Disadvantages