Definition
A historical, ground-based radio navigation system (commonly known as LORAN) that allowed aircraft and ships to determine their position by measuring the time difference between signals received from a network of fixed transmitter stations. The U.S. LORAN-C system was decommissioned in 2010 and is no longer in operational use for aviation navigation.
Plain English
An older navigation system that helped pilots figure out where they were by listening to timed radio signals from stations on the ground. It has since been shut down and replaced by GPS.
Context Anchor
Seen in navigation-system discussions, older aircraft equipment descriptions, and FAA glossary material.
Derivation
The name simply describes what the system did — it provided navigation guidance over long distances, well beyond the range of typical short-range radio navigation aids of the time.
Why Pilots Care
It determines whether an aircraft can legally and safely operate on routes that extend beyond the range of conventional VOR and NDB signals.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as simply “navigation on a long flight.” In this FAA glossary context, Long Range Navigation points to a specific electronic navigation system: LORAN.
Example Sentence 1
Before GPS became widespread, many general aviation aircraft were equipped with Long Range Navigation receivers for cross-country flights.
Example Sentence 2
Before departure, the crew verified that the aircraft's long range navigation system was functioning properly for the oceanic crossing.