What is a VORTAC and how is it used in civil aviation?

• A. An ILS localizer.
• B. A VOR combined with TACAN to provide bearing and DME distance for civilian navigation.
• C. A satellite beacon for weather.
• D. A radar altimeter.

Answer: (B)

A VORTAC is a ground-based navigation aid that combines a VOR with a TACAN at the same site to give you both bearing information and distance for civilian navigation. The VOR part provides a precise azimuth (bearing) to or from the station, which you can use to fly a specific radial. The TACAN portion, paired with DME, provides distance to the station in nautical miles. Civilian aircraft can tune the VOR to get the radial and also read the DME distance from the TACAN, letting pilots determine their position and navigate along airways or on approaches without GPS. This co-located setup makes it a reliable, widely used reference for both en-route and instrument procedures. It’s not an ILS localizer, not a weather satellite beacon, and not a radar altimeter.