Definition
A VHF navigation frequency (such as a VOR or ILS frequency) that is permanently linked to a specific UHF DME frequency, so that selecting the VHF frequency on the navigation radio automatically tunes the corresponding DME channel.
Plain English
Each VOR or ILS frequency is matched to a hidden DME frequency. When the pilot tunes the VOR or ILS, the DME tunes itself to its partner frequency at the same time.
Context Anchor
Seen when using avionics that show DME distance after the pilot selects a navigation frequency.
Derivation
‘Paired’ comes from the Latin par, meaning ‘equal’ or ‘matched.’ Two frequencies are matched together as a set, so tuning one automatically brings in the other.
Why Pilots Care
Eliminates the need to tune DME separately and ensures distance information is available whenever the paired navigation aid is in use.
Intuition Check
Paired does not mean the pilot must manually tune two separate frequencies. Here it means one selected frequency is linked to a matching DME frequency used automatically.
Example Sentence 1
When the pilot tuned 110.3 for the VOR, the DME activated automatically because the two are on a paired frequency.
Example Sentence 2
Because the frequencies were paired, distance to the station appeared on the DME display without any extra tuning steps.