Definition
A ground-based radio transmitter that broadcasts a continuous signal in all directions, allowing suitably equipped aircraft to determine their bearing to or from the station for navigation.
Plain English
A radio transmitter on the ground that constantly puts out a signal so aircraft with the right receiver can tell which direction the station lies from them.
Context Anchor
Seen in navigation discussions, especially when using aircraft receivers that point to or identify signals from ground stations.
Derivation
‘Beacon’ comes from Old English ‘beacen’, meaning a sign or signal — originally a fire or light used to guide travellers. A radio beacon does the same job, but the ‘light’ is a radio signal that an aircraft’s instruments can ‘see’ from far beyond visual range.
Why Pilots Care
Provides a reliable navigation reference in remote areas or as a backup when satellite-based systems are unavailable.
Analogy
A radio beacon is like a lighthouse for a receiver instead of for your eyes. The aircraft equipment detects the signal and uses it as a reference point.
Intuition Check
Do not read radio beacon as any radio used for talking. Here, it means a fixed navigation signal sent from a known place.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot tuned the receiver to the radio beacon and tracked inbound to the airport.
Example Sentence 2
Radio beacons remain useful waypoints in regions with limited VOR or GPS coverage.