The radio on the airplane is generated by radio signals transmitted through radio transmitters (beacon stations). These signals assist the aircraft in navigation and communication.

The Application of Radio in Aircraft

Aviation radio communication: including satellite communication, very high frequency ground to air communication, etc., providing various voice communication, radar signal connection, very high frequency remote control and other services for civil aviation flights

1.

Aviation radio navigation: transmitting radio signals through facilities such as Instrument Landing System (ILS), Non Directional Beacons (NDB), Omnidirectional Beacons (VOR), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), etc., to guide aircraft to fly safely one.

2.

Aviation radio monitoring: obtaining aircraft information through primary radar, ADS-B system, field monitoring radar, etc., providing flight situation information such as the position and altitude of aircraft in the airspace

3.

The specific working principles of different radio navigation systems

Non directional beacon (NDB): Using medium wave radio waves, the aircraft receives signals through a rotating circular antenna to determine direction. NDB has low accuracy and is easily affected by weather, but it is cheap and durable, commonly used in small and medium-sized airports

4.

Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR): using very high frequency radio waves, propagating in a straight line, unaffected by weather, and with high accuracy. The VOR antenna emits signals that change direction, and the aircraft determines the direction by receiving the signals. VOR can be used in conjunction with a distance measuring instrument (DME) to determine the distance and direction between the aircraft and the ground station

5.

Instrument Landing System (ILS): including heading beacon and glide slope beacon, which respectively determine whether the aircraft is aligned with the runway center and control the aircraft's descent angle. ILS system ensures safe landing of aircraft in low visibility conditions