Definition
A ground-based, low-frequency radio navigation system that determines an aircraft's position by measuring the time difference between pulsed signals received from a chain of fixed transmitter stations. A master station and two or more secondary stations transmit synchronized pulses; the receiver calculates position by comparing the arrival times of these signals. LORAN C operated in the 90 to 110 kHz band and provided long-range navigation over land and sea before being largely replaced by GPS.
Plain English
An older radio navigation system that figured out where an aircraft was by timing how long signals took to arrive from several ground stations. By comparing the timing of those signals, the receiver could plot the aircraft's position on a map.
Context Anchor
Seen in older aircraft equipment, maintenance manuals, and legacy navigation system discussions.
Derivation
From 'Long Range Navigation.' The 'C' indicates the third version of the system, following earlier LORAN A and LORAN B designs. Knowing the name simply means 'long range navigation, version C' helps anchor what the equipment was designed to do.
Why Pilots Care
Maintenance technicians may still encounter LORAN C receivers and antennas in older aircraft. Understanding what the system was for helps when inspecting, removing, or replacing legacy navigation equipment, even though most LORAN C signals have been decommissioned.
Grounding Statement
LORAN C worked by comparing how long it took radio signals from known ground stations to reach the aircraft.
Intuition Check
LORAN C is not GPS. It used ground-based radio stations, not satellites.
Example Sentence 1
The technician removed the old LORAN C receiver from the avionics bay during the GPS upgrade.
Example Sentence 2
During the inspection the technician confirmed that the LORAN C antenna was securely bonded to the airframe.