Plain English Meaning

It is the nationwide collection of VOR ground stations and the airways that link them, used by pilots to navigate from place to place using radio signals.

Full Definition

The system of ground-based VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) navigation stations distributed across the country, together with the published airways, routes, and instrument procedures that connect them. It forms the traditional backbone of radio-based navigation in the United States, allowing pilots to fly defined routes between stations using cockpit VOR receivers.

Context Anchor

Seen in instrument approach and navigation discussions, especially when comparing satellite-based navigation with older ground-based navigation .