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Radio beacons: Difference between revisions
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→VOR
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*The higher the aircraft the longer the range. | *The higher the aircraft the longer the range. | ||
There has to be a clear line-of-sight with the beacon. If there are mountains or other obstructions the VOR signal can not be received. | <del>There has to be a clear line-of-sight with the beacon. If there are mountains or other obstructions the VOR signal can not be received.</del> | ||
The beacon can be received mostly with a clear line of sight, but can also be received if obstructed, via various means: diffraction, trophosperic scatter, tropospheric ducting etc. | |||
The range depicted above is only orientative. In real life situations, radio signal propagation characteristics can expand or reduce the range. | |||
While it is more expensive to operate a VOR station compared with a [[NDB]] the benefits are obvious. The signal is less hindered by unwanted reflections and other interferences, when the signal is received it is accurate, it takes away confusion about North, since it's oriented True North, it can be used for automated flight and the receivers are more reliable. | While it is more expensive to operate a VOR station compared with a [[NDB]] the benefits are obvious. The signal is less hindered by unwanted reflections and other interferences, when the signal is received it is accurate, it takes away confusion about North, since it's oriented True North, it can be used for automated flight and the receivers are more reliable. | ||
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===ILS=== | ===ILS=== | ||
An Instrument Landing System ('''[[ILS]]''') beacon ''can'' be used as a [[NDB]] beacon (with some receivers) but it's range is limited and depends very much on the position of the aircraft towards the station (and runway). The LOC signal of an ILS transmits only one radial, the heading towards the runway, in one direction. It should only be used as a system for landing and not for navigation. | An Instrument Landing System ('''[[ILS]]''') beacon ''can'' be used as a [[NDB]] beacon (with some receivers) but it's range is limited and depends very much on the position of the aircraft towards the station (and runway). The LOC signal of an ILS transmits only one radial, the heading towards the runway, in one direction. It should only be used as a system for landing and not for navigation. | ||
The glideslope component transmits a signal in the 300 MHz band, while the localizer is sharing the lower VHF (108-117.95 MHz) with the VOR's. | |||
The localizer can also be used on the backcourse, if approved by local authorities, especially when a go-around maneuver is performed. | |||
===TACAN=== | ===TACAN=== | ||