Definition
A specific VORTAC navigation facility located near Brookwood, Alabama, identified on aeronautical charts and used as a navigation fix for VOR and DME-equipped aircraft. A VORTAC combines a VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) station, which provides bearing information, with a Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) station, whose distance-measuring component is usable by civil aircraft as DME.
Plain English
It is a ground-based radio navigation station near Brookwood, Alabama. Pilots tune it in to find out which direction they are from the station and how far away they are.
Context Anchor
Seen during IFR preflight planning on charts, routes, clearances, and navigation logs when a flight is planned through or near the Brookwood navigation facility.
Derivation
Named after the town of Brookwood, Alabama, where the facility is sited. VORTAC is a blend of VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) and TAC (from TACAN, Tactical Air Navigation), reflecting that the station houses both systems in one location.
Why Pilots Care
Specific VORTACs like Brookwood are real-world reference points used in flight planning, route clearances, and approach procedures. Knowing how to identify, tune, and use them is essential for navigating IFR routes and confirming position.
Grounding Statement
Picture Brookwood VORTAC as a named radio reference point on the ground that a pilot may use to build or verify a route.
Intuition Check
Do not read Brookwood VORTAC as an airport name or just a GPS-only point. It is a named ground radio navigation facility used as a fixed reference on instrument routes.
Example Sentence 1
After departure, the pilot tracked the 090 radial outbound from the Brookwood VORTAC toward the next fix on the route.
Example Sentence 2
ATC cleared the flight direct to the Brookwood VORTAC after departure.