Plain English Meaning

A radio navigation station on the ground that sends out signals in every direction, so a pilot can use it to find their position or follow a course no matter which side of the station they are flying from.

Full Definition

A ground-based navigation aid that transmits signals usable from any direction around the station, allowing aircraft to determine their bearing to or from the facility regardless of which side they approach from. The most common example is the VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range), which provides 360 selectable courses radiating outward from the station.

Context Anchor

Seen on the plan view of instrument charts, where ground stations are shown as points used to build , , and .