Definition
An airborne radio receiver that picks up signals from ground-based or satellite navigation aids and converts them into usable position, course, or guidance information for the pilot. Examples include VOR, ILS, ADF, DME, and GPS receivers.
Plain English
A radio in the aircraft that listens to navigation signals and tells the pilot where they are or which way to fly to get somewhere.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of navigation and communication equipment, especially when describing the radios and displays used for instrument flying.
Derivation
From 'navigation' (Latin navigare, to sail or steer a ship) plus 'receiver' (something that receives). The word was carried over from marine use when aircraft began using radio signals to find their way.
Why Pilots Care
It supplies the position and course data required for instrument flight, route navigation, and instrument approaches when visual references are unavailable.
Intuition Check
A navigational receiver does not decide where to fly by itself. It receives navigation signals and presents information the pilot uses to make navigation decisions.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the approach, the pilot tuned the navigational receiver to the ILS frequency and identified the station.
Example Sentence 2
During the ILS approach, the navigational receiver displayed both course guidance and glideslope information.