VOR | VORTAC

VOR (Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range) and VORTAC (VOR plus Tactical Air Navigation) are two types of radio-based navigation systems that were developed for use in aviation.

The development of VOR began in the 1930s and was first introduced in the United States in the early 1950s. The VOR system uses a network of ground-based transmitters that emit radio signals in all directions. An aircraft equipped with a VOR receiver can then use these signals to determine its direction and distance from the VOR station.

The VORTAC system was developed in the 1960s as an extension of the VOR system. It combines the VOR system with the Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system, which is used by military aircraft. The VORTAC system provides both VOR and TACAN signals, allowing both civilian and military aircraft to use the same navigation aid.

Over time, both VOR and VORTAC systems have been improved and modernized to enhance their accuracy and reliability. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has upgraded the VOR network with newer equipment and has also implemented a program to decommission some of the less-used VOR stations.

Despite the advancements in other navigation systems like GPS, VOR and VORTAC remain important navigation aids, especially in areas with limited GPS coverage or in the event of GPS outages. Additionally, many aircraft still use VOR and VORTAC for backup navigation purposes.