Definition
The collective onboard radio equipment used to talk with air traffic control and other stations (communication) and to determine the aircraft's position or guide it along a course (navigation). Communication systems include VHF and HF radios used for voice exchanges. Navigation systems include receivers such as VOR, ILS, GPS, and ADF that process radio or satellite signals to provide bearing, course, and position information.
Plain English
The radios and receivers in the aircraft that let the pilot talk to controllers and find the way from one place to another.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when discussing how precipitation static can interfere with radios, navigation receivers, antennas, and cockpit displays.
Derivation
Communication comes from a Latin word meaning “to share.” Navigation comes from older words connected with guiding a ship. Together, the phrase points to equipment that shares information and helps guide the aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
Precipitation static builds electrical charge that creates noise or total loss on these systems, reducing situational awareness and ATC contact.
Grounding Statement
In this context, the phrase means the aircraft equipment that lets the pilot communicate and stay oriented in flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read “systems” as one single box in the panel. Here it means the connected equipment, wiring, antennas, receivers, and displays that work together for communication and navigation.
Example Sentence 1
Precipitation static can disrupt communication and navigation systems, causing garbled radio calls and erratic VOR needle behavior.
Example Sentence 2
Before entering the weather, the pilot verified that the communication and navigation systems were free of static interference.